Essentials for a dog-friendly day at the beach

Photo by Messala Ciulla (Pexels)

A successful beach day is not just about the weather and the location. To ensure your dog stays safe, hydrated, and comfortable, you need a well-stocked dog beach bag!

From secure leads to the right gear for sandy paws, here is our expert-backed dog beach checklist of everything you need to bring for a safe day out at the beach with your dog.

• TopDog’s essential beach checklist
• Beach safety gear
• Bring your dog walk basics
• Beach-ready leads and harnesses
• Post-beach cleanup
• Planning your next beach trip

TopDog’s essential beach checklist

• Waterproof collars and leads
• High-vis harness
• Long-line lead
• Fresh water
• Collapsible travel bowl
• Dog-safe sun cream
• Absorbent towels
• Cooling mat or coat
• Beach tent or umbrella
• Durable, brightly coloured toys
• Poo bags
• Treats
• First aid kit
  

Beach safety gear

Photo by: Thijs van der Weide (Pexels)

The beach poses some unique safety challenges, including potential heat stroke and paw burns. This means your beach bag needs to include additional sun protection and water.

Fresh water

The combination of hot weather and running up and down the sand means your pup will eventually tire and seek something to drink. Remember to pack a collapsible travel bowl to make it easy to stop for a quick water break.

Do not allow your dog to drink seawater. The high salt content can cause vomiting and dehydration. Always bring extra fresh water, both for drinking and for washing off sand when it’s time to go home.

Sun protection

Just like their owners, dogs can also get sunburned, especially those with short fur. 

If you are using sun cream, PDSA recommends that it is pet safe, SPF30 or higher, and waterproof.

The other type of sun protection is creating some shade to escape the direct heat. This could be as simple as using a tent or umbrella to create a shady space to rest. A cooling coat or mat is also an excellent way to help regulate their core temperature on hot sand.

Bring your dog walk basics

Photo by: Dario Fernandez Ruz (Pexels)

You might be focused on the buckets and spades, but in terms of the essentials, a day at the beach still requires the basics you would typically pack in your dog walking bag.

Toys

Balls, frisbees, and floating toys can all be a lot of fun, just make sure they are brightly coloured so they don’t get lost, and are made from durable, easy-to-clean materials.

Poo bags

Always clean up after your dog, especially on the beach. Not only could you face a fine, but it’s also important to keep the beach clean and safe for other people.

If a beach is dog-friendly, there will almost certainly be dog waste bins nearby. If they are a distance away, simply clip the bag into a poo bag holder to keep your hands free.

First aid kit

Basic first-aid kits are essential to bring on beach trips. Sand can cover a range of hazards that could injure paws, including spines, shells, stones and other sharp objects.

If you are prepared with tweezers and antiseptic wipes, you can patch up a sore paw quickly and get back to having fun!

Beach-ready leads and harnesses

When it comes to dog beach necessities, your standard leather or fabric walking gear should probably stay at home, as sand and seawater can cause damage and result in chafing.

TopDog’s team recommends opting for harnesses and leads made from materials like neoprene and coated webbing, so both are both durable and quick drying, as well as being comfortable and secure.

TopDog co-owner John Skinner explains, “For beach environments, we recommend closed-cell neoprene because it is non-porous. It doesn't absorb the salt, won't stretch or become heavy when wet, and can be rinsed to remove sand quickly, preventing the friction-related sores we commonly see with some other materials."

High-visibility colours

The beach is a wide-open space with plenty of distractions. Using a high-visibility lead and harness ensures you can spot your dog easily against the sand, sea and crowds with beach towels.

Post-beach cleanup

Photo by: Laura Stanley (Pexels)

When your time at the beach has ended, managing the mess can be challenging. Make sure your beach kit includes the following to minimise the amount of sand that comes home with you in the car:

Water to rinse off sand

Keep some extra water ready to rinse off salt and sand before it dries on the skin. Otherwise, it can quickly become itchy and irritating.

Check paws closely to make sure there’s no sand caught that could dry and cause discomfort later.

Towels

Pack a microfibre towel as they are more absorbent than standard towels and dry much faster.

In addition, don’t forget to pack grooming wipes to help clear around stubborn areas, like the eyes and ears.

Planning your next beach trip

Now you know what to pack for your next beach with your dog, it’s time to find the perfect location. Check out our guides to the best dog-friendly beaches in the UK and dog-friendly UK holiday locations to find a spot where your pup can run wild, then check our blog for more expert tips, guides and insights.

To learn more about TopDog’s leads and harnesses, get in touch with the team today!