Now that the summer holidays are firmly looming, there’s no doubt that a fun-filled day out at the beach will be at the top of everyone’s agendas.
Whilst this is a great way to enjoy the sunshine and for your beloved pet to get some exercise, it’s important we ensure we don’t commit any beach ‘faux-paws’ and educate ourselves on how to keep our furry friends safe when it comes to the sun, sea and sand!
Here Natures Menu’s veterinary team share their top tips on how to plan the perfect beach day out with all the family, including your four-legged friend:
Do Your Homework: Assuming all beaches allow dogs is an easy mistake to make, however this isn’t always the case! Before you set off for your beach day out make sure you read up on the local rule guides to avoid disappointment.
Tide Times: Once you’ve identified a suitable pet-friendly beach, take note of what the tide times are to ensure that you can make the most of your day and enjoy a low tide for as long as possible!
Sun Protection: Whilst we might want to make the most of the sunshine to top up our tan, we need to ensure that dogs aren’t in the sun for long periods of time. If you don’t have a parasol for protection, try to pick a shaded spot so that your precious pooch has somewhere to avoid the heat!
Hidden Dangers: A sandy open beach is a dog’s idea of heaven and is a great way of exercising your pooch, however there can be some nasty sharp objects hidden amongst the sand that could cause your dog harm, so keep an eye out for where your dog’s playing!
Sea Sick: Most dogs love to frolic around in the sea, and as adorable as that may be we need to be careful to not let them drink too much salt water whilst doing so, as this can lead to an upset stomach. Always make sure that you’ve got a bowl of fresh water nearby, so your dog isn’t tempted to drink from the sea.
Master the Doggy Paddle: Depending on age, breed and personality, dogs can vary dramatically in their swimming skills. To be on the safe side, don’t assume that your dog will be a natural in the water and test their ability before you let them out in the open water and remember, if they don’t like it, don’t force them to swim!
Watch What They Eat: A trip to the seaside wouldn’t be complete without a delicious picnic or a portion of fresh fish and chips. Feeding our adored pets leftovers though can cause serious health problems if we’re not careful. To avoid this, always keep food out of reach of your pets and feed them their usual, nutritional favourites.
Clean Up Your Pawprints: The beach is there for everyone to enjoy, so always leave it as you found it for the next person. Before you head out the door for your day out at the beach, remember to stock up on poo bags, allowing you to clean up after your dog!
With over 19,000 miles of beautiful coastline, the UK is not short of stunning seaside destinations for us to enjoy! Natures Menu has whittled down all the pet friendly beaches to leave its top five:
- Perranporth, Cornwall: The three miles of stunning sandy beaches make this sea-side resort perfect for walks with your furry friend.
- Westward Ho, Devon: Shallow waters for paddling in and communal drinking water taps mean that this beach is a safe environment for dogs.
- Formby, Liverpool: With water bowls and poop bags available to the public, this beach is the ideal destination if you’ve forgotten to pack the essentials.
- Rhossili Bay Beach, Swansea: A three-mile beach with shallow waters is the perfect combination of sand and sea for a dog friendly beach.
- Runswich Bay, Yorkshire: Come rain or shine, this beach is open all year round for your beloved pooch to enjoy!
Natures Menu Vet, Claire Miller, said: “Everyone gets excited at the prospect of being able to take their dog along to the beach with them in the summertime, however it’s important to be aware of the health and safety hazards in doing so.
"When visiting one of our suggested pet-friendly beaches, make sure you follow our essential tips to keep your dog happy and go equipped with a supply of Natures Menu’s treats.”
.For more information on feeding raw visit www.naturesmenu.co.uk
