Dogs at the sea: enjoy the summer with your four-legged friend!
Dogs at the sea: enjoy the summer with your four-legged friend!
Written by Silvia Capelli
September 8, 2023
Summer arrives and for all dog owners, the usual problem reoccurs: we need to go on holiday and we love the sea and the beaches, but what about Fido?
Obviously, we'd like to bring him with us, he's a family member, and besides, finding reliable facilities or dog sitters can be difficult, as well as quite expensive. That is if you can find them during peak season.
But is it right, or advisable, to take dogs to the sea? What do we need to know to make Fido's coexistence with us and others enjoyable?
What should we do, and what should we bring with us to make the most of what should be the happiest time of the year for everyone?
What to do before leaving with your dog
Before booking a holiday with your dog, it's very important to find out everything that can be useful to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Contact the accommodation you're interested in.
Don't just ask if they accept dogs and at what price, but also find out about:
The accommodation's policy regarding the presence of animals (access to common areas, breakfast room, pool area), and what services are offered
Additional cost for the dog (pet friendly doesn't mean free for dogs, it means you can bring them by paying an extra fee. In the United States, you can end up paying up to $150 per night per dog, so avoid unpleasant surprises at check-out!)
Regulations of local establishments, if the hotel is not affiliated with one in particular
Distance from the beach and accessibility to it (if it's 2 km on a hot asphalt road and not accessible by car, perhaps it's time to change accommodation)
Presence of a Dog Beach nearby
What the local regional law stipulates. Regions have the power to dictate rules regarding dog access independently, so make sure to be well informed.
Contact the airline
Request the list of necessary documents
Check if there are areas in the airport prepared for dog's needs
Contact the veterinarian in time to ensure that the dog is vaccinated or protected against endemic diseases of the destination country
Before booking, make sure that dogs are accepted on the flight and that there is space, because most routes allow only two animals in the cabin
And make sure you have all the information relating to the following cases:
The dog travels in the cabin:
Find out about the transport policy and the dimensions of the kennel.
Make sure you are able to travel a certain number of hours with the kennel under your legs, and choose a seat with more space.
The dog travels in the hold:
Request specific information about traveling in the hold, as it might not be a pleasant experience for Fido.
The temperature in the hold, for example, can be quite low, but it could be the opposite during the boarding waiting period.
If the dog leaves from Las Vegas, with external temperatures of over 40°, and there's a delay, it might have to wait hours in its kennel and suffer from heatstroke.
The general rules say that a dog traveling in the hold should not be exposed to temperatures below 7° and above 29°.
It's a significant temperature swing, and if the poor dog that left Las Vegas at 45° finds itself in the hold at 7°, it could suffer from thermal shock.
Travels in the hold should be very carefully considered, as there have been several incidents.
Talk to your trusted veterinarian:
Find out about the endemic diseases at the destination and how to protect your dog.
Evaluate with them the health status to ensure that the journey is not dangerous (for example, in the case of a dog with heart disease or a compromised immune system).
Make sure to have a mild sedative in case the dog is very nervous.
Find out about the rules for administering water and food before the journey, to prevent the dog from vomiting or soiling while you're on the flight.
Taking the dog to a hotel.
At home, the dog can do whatever it wants, but in a hotel, you must keep a tight rein: never let it roam free, not even in the garden.
If allowed in the swimming pool or other common areas, keep it on a leash and do not let it approach other guests, even if it is a small and very cute puppy. Not everyone likes dogs or wants to be disturbed.
Taking the dog to the beach
And here we are at the most important point, taking the dog to the sea.
First of all, always use common sense, because if Fido is a family member and we want to take him on holiday, we must also consider his well-being, just as we would for a baby.
What to take with you to the beach?
Make sure you have a basic kit for any eventuality:
water, both for drinking and a large bottle for rinsing the dog if there are no showers around
food and snacks (if Fido gets hungry, he might bother the bathers or eat leftovers he finds on the beach)
sunscreen (sunburn is a real problem, not just for hairless dogs)
towel
bags for waste
a dog bed (the sand might be scorching hot)
an umbrella or a small beach tent, in case there's no shade nearby
address and phone number of the local vet
a medical kit with essential products
a small bag with two tablespoons of salt, in case of poisoning
How should I behave when I'm at the beach?
Use common sense:
keep Fido close to you and on a leash
don't let him step on towels and belongings of other bathers, or disturb those who are resting
don't let him roam even if the beach is semi-deserted
make sure he doesn't eat objects or food found around
if he messes, pick it up immediately and if he pees, make sure to cover the spot well: hygiene is essential on both crowded and empty beaches
Our friend should never be a problem for others. The dog at the sea is our responsibility, and being civil is our duty.
If we are not, the rules regarding dogs on the beach will become even stricter.
Hydrate the dog often: give him a shower or wet him with bottled water. And apply a good sunscreen if he has short hair, and always on the nose.
Beware of the scorching sand: it can burn Fido's pads, especially the dark ones. And the asphalt from the beach to the parking lot.
Can I let my dog swim?
If you're asking about the dog, the answer is yes, many of our animal friends enjoy swimming.
However, there are a few small precautions you can take to avoid incurring penalties or arguing with other bathers, and these will also be useful to protect your four-legged friend:
Make sure the beach rules allow it (some allow dogs but only on a leash) and let him swim when there aren't too many bathers around.
Don't force him if he doesn't feel like it, or you could traumatize him. And be careful, swimming is considered a natural activity for dogs, but not all enjoy it. Swimming also requires a lot of energy, so avoid pushing the dog into the water if sea conditions are adverse; if he couldn't swim to shore, he might drown.
Don't let him go too far, as he might not be able to get back to shore.
Be aware of another thing: dogs often drink sea water, which unfortunately causes diarrhea. Make sure this doesn't happen and that he always has a bowl of water available.
Once the swim is over, the dog should be rinsed off. Salt is harmful to skin and fur. Bring a bottle of water with you if there are no showers nearby and give him a good rinse as soon as you get home.
Use only shampoo and conditioner specific for animals. Don't worry if you have to wash him every day, in this case, it's essential.
Taking the dog to the beach at a Dog Beach
Some beaches are set up to exclusively welcome owners with dogs off-leash.
At first glance, this seems like paradise, and generally, it is because dogs allowed to play and have fun tend to not be aggressive.
However, this obviously doesn't apply to all dogs, and there are some precautions to follow:
When dogs of different sizes approach each other, be there to prevent a fight or accidents during play.
If the female is in heat, avoid bringing her to the beach, but if you didn't notice and see that she's attracting a bit too much interest from males, keep her tied up.
Bring snacks, food, and plenty of water in case you need to share.
Prevent your dog from stealing toys or food from other animals; they might not appreciate the invasion of their space.
Dehydration and Heat Stroke: What to Do in an Emergency
Excessive heat and drinking sea water can have serious consequences for your pet.
In the first case, be aware that sodium chloride dries out the coat and skin significantly, and ingesting sea water can cause even severe symptoms such as:
And in the case of poisoning, you might need to visit a vet.
Heat stroke can even be fatal and occurs very quickly.
It presents as an acute and progressive emergency characterized by an increase in body temperature above 41°C (105.8°F).
Symptoms include:
Heavy, labored breathing, and increased respiratory rate
General weakness
Lethargy
Reddening of gums and eye conjunctivae
Dark-colored urine
Excessive salivation
Vomiting
Diarrhea (often with blood present)
Confusion and disorientation
Poor coordination in movements
Muscle tremors
Spasms
Collapse
Coma
Death
If this happens, our four-legged friend must be taken to the vet immediately. In the meantime, try to cool them down by wrapping them in a wet towel or wetting their head, groin, and pads.
But no DIY remedies, a vet's intervention is necessary!
Be careful not just of the sun, but also of the car: the dog should never be left in a closed car, not even when you step out to pay for parking. If the doors accidentally close or lock, it might be necessary to break a window.
Or you might start chatting with the bar owner or friends and forget that the dog is in the car. It happens, and it's not that rare!
And also be wary of wasp stings! For more information, read here.
Have you just adopted a puppy and have doubts about how to raise it in the best way? Find all the information you need to make the best choices on khani.co.uk
