Holidays, sea, relax and dogs are a perfect combination to regenerate the spirit! However, if we want to bring our four-legged friend to the beach, we should take into consideration that our dog’s needs are different than ours. Most dogs love the beach but a few of them are not used to deal with high temperatures, sand, sun and sea. For some dogs a day at the beach could be very irritating, that’s why you should watch out your dogs behaviors: if you see your buddy digging a hole in the sand it may be because he is hot and thirsty. In addition, if this behavior irritates other people, interrupt it but be considerate and give your dog a different type of diversion: take him for a walk, give him some water, or play in a cooler area, even better if it has a shelter, to protect him from the sunlight.

Dogs’ perception of heat is also different: high temperatures could cause them illnesses and serious consequences. They can get a heatstroke with fatal consequences, so we suggest being respectful to them if temperatures are too high: keep their head, ears and paws wet.

When playing at the beach, Fido could inadvertently ingest a bit of sand: it is not dangerous and do not worry if the consistency/color of his stool changes, it is normal. Sand ingestion could also cause him stomach issues and he may vomit: whether it is an isolated or sporadic episode you shouldn’t worry but if the episodes are not isolated, bathe your dog and make sure he doesn’t ingest water. If he doesn’t get better, bring him home and consider if he needs to be seen by a Vet.

If you follow these few tips to respect your dog’s needs, a day at the beach will certainly be a pleasure for both of you.