Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe at the Beach

Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe at the Beach

               While stores are already stocking back to school items and the “dog days” of intense heat are (hopefully!) on their way out, there’s still plenty of summer left and for many, that means one last trip to the beach.  If you plan to take your dog to the beach for an end-of-summer vacation, keep these potential hazards and important safety tips in mind.

•  Salt toxicity:  Dogs can potentially ingest too much sea water when swimming, fetching toys in the ocean or playing in waves along the shoreline.  Drinking too much salt water can lead to vomiting, weakness and neurologic symptoms like staggering and seizures due to excess sodium causing profound dehydration affecting the brain.  If unrecognized or untreated, sodium toxicity can be fatal. Be sure to bring plenty of fresh water for your pup to drink during a day at the beach and limit time swimming and playing in the water to prevent dogs from swallowing too much salt water.
• Sand impaction:  Dogs may also potentially swallow sand by retrieving sand-covered toys, licking sandy items on the beach, drinking sandy water and digging or playing in sand.  Swallowing all that sand can actually lead to an intestinal blockage.  Symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting and usually occur 12-48 hours of ingestion.  Sand impaction can be seen on x-ray as a sausage-like opacity in the intestine.  Most dogs do not require surgery, but recognizing the signs and getting prompt treatment will prevent a potentially life-threatening situation.  Dogs usually need IV fluids, medications for nausea and frequent walks to encourage the sand to pass.  Monitoring the progression of the sand through the intestinal tract may also mean repeating x-rays during the course of treatment.  Rinse toys and limit fetch time on the beach to reduce sand ingestion.  Consider a blanket or tarp if your pooch wants to play with or chew toys on the beach.
• The Heat:  Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious concerns for both people and pets when spending the day in the sun.  Dogs can quickly become overheated and the sand can get quite hot potentially causing burns on skin and paw pads.  Light-skinned or thin-haired pets can also develop sunburn.  Keep you and your pups safe and cool by using a beach umbrella or tent to provide shade from the sun, using a pet-friendly sunscreen on your dog’s muzzle and ears or other exposed skin, and having a towel or blanket for your pup to lie on to keep him or her off the hot sand when resting. A set of dog booties may also help prevent paw injuries from hot sand and sharp objects, like shells, on the beach.  If your dog seems lethargic, overheated or is vomiting, get inside and, if you think your dog is experiencing heat stroke, get him to a vet immediately for treatment. 

Other tips for enjoying a safe day of fun at the beach include making sure that your pet is welcome—research to make sure you are visiting a dog-friendly beach.  Make sure your pet is up to date on his vaccinations and has a collar or harness with proper ID tags, ensure your dog is protected with a good flea and tick preventative, and keep an eye on your dog to make sure she is not eating trash or dead sea creatures, drinking ocean water or swimming too far into the ocean.  Give your dog a bath or rinse her off with fresh water after a day at the beach, make sure her ears are well dried, and keep an eye out for any signs of illness for a few days after a beach trip.  Having your dog at the beach with the family can be fun, but take care to keep your dog safe from salt, sand, and heat-related injuries and illnesses.

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://www.dvm360.com/view/beach-days-with-dogs-exercising-caution-to-prevent-illness

https://www.zoetispetcare.com/blog/article/taking-dog-beach