A Day at the Beach: Dog Safety Tips

What’s better than sandy fun on dog-friendly beaches in sunny weather? And with a little bit of know-how and planning, it’s easy to keep your favourite pooch safe by the sea.

Here's how to minimise the chances of any incidents with some simple dog safety tips.

Choosing dog-friendly beaches

Finding a beautiful dog beach near you shouldn’t be hard. However, it’s important to take note of the rules before you go. The top priority is whether or not your pup is allowed off leash and in what areas.

You’ll find this information online through local councils or on signposts at the beach. Keep in mind that fines are usually issued to owners not complying with local rules.

What to take with you

Just like you’ll want your hat, sunnies and a towel, your furry friend needs some accessories for fun in the sun. Here’s a handy checklist of what you’ll need, with some items dependent on activities and how long you’ll be at the beach:

• Water and a portable dish
• Dog treats
• Dog sunscreen
• Pet waste bags
• Floating beach toys
• Leash and collar
• Identification tags
• First aid kit for dogs
• Towels and a shade screen
• Dog booties, doggles and a canine life vest

Dog safety tips on the beach

Now that you’re all set for your day at the beach, it’s time to ensure your pooch stays safe while playing. The best way to do this is to remember that anything that could harm you, could harm your pup.

First up, make sure dogs are suited up with sunscreen, doggles and dog booties if the sand’s hot and the sun’s blaring. Pop the life vest on for swimming, in case of exhaustion.

Scan the beach for items like glass, sharp shells and jellyfish. Prevent your dog from licking or eating anything on the beach.

Seawater can cause diarrhoea and vomiting, so discourage your pup from drinking it with plenty of fresh water before swimming. Keep an eye out for dehydration and heat stroke symptoms, such as fatigue, dry mouth, disorientation, rapid breathing and sunken eyes. If you see serious symptoms, wrap them in wet towels and call the vet.

It's also important to consider the temperature outside. Spending the day at the beach in the Australian summer is something us humans love to do but some dogs can start over heating when temperatures reach just 25 degrees.

Swimming in the ocean

If your dog hasn’t ventured beyond running along the sand yet, it’s up to you to lead the way into the sea. Simply wade into the shallows and encourage your pup to follow.

Make it fun with splashing and toys. Watch the process carefully and allow your pet to adjust at its own pace. Never carry dogs into the water and drop them in, as this could lead to a fear of swimming.

Visiting off-leash dog beaches

Running free is the way to be! However, to ensure an incident-free adventure, it’s important that your dog comes to you when you call, each and every time.

If not, you run the risk of your pup jumping on people, annoying other dogs, rummaging in other people’s belongings and eating something toxic.

Dog-friendly beaches around Australia

Now you’re ready for a fantastic, safe day at the beach! To send you on your way, here’s where to find some of the best dog-friendly beaches with off-leash areas.

Victoria

Spectacular St Kilda Beach offers no less than three off-leash areas.

NSW

Byron Bay’s sweeping Tallow Beach features an off-leash exercise area.

Queensland

Head to the Spit on the Gold Coast for an off-leash area that extends along the sea wall.

South Australia

Not far from Adelaide, O’Sullivans Beach offers an off-leash area at certain times of the day.

Western Australia

Peasholm Dog Beach is the place to go in Scarborough, with freshwater taps for pooches.