Keeping Your Dog Safe At The Beach

Calm water Is best. Surf boards, jet skis, and big waves can frighten your dog. Find a quiet place to play with your pup, or locate a local dog beach were surfing and boating are not allowed.

Invest in a life vest. Rough water can quickly exhaust your dog and that can be deadly. When you’re making your selection, look for one that fastens at three points and has a handle on the back, making it easy for you to lift your dog out of the water.

Drinking salt water Is a bad idea. Pack plenty of water to keep you both hydrated.

Not all dogs can swim. Certain breeds like Corgis and Pugs don’t swim at all. Never throw your dog In the water and expect him to swim.

Cold water can hurt Remember, If your dog has arthritis or other joint issues, swimming in cold water can Irritate the condition.

Use sun screen. Get a sun screen specially formulated for dogs and apply it to your dog’s nose and ears 30 minutes before hitting the beach.

Head for cover. The sun and the sand are fun, but it’s nice to have a place to take a break In the shade and out of the wind. Consider bringing an inexpensive tent to give your dog a place to relax.

Don’t overdo It. Running on sand Is strenuous, so don’t expect your dog to be able to fetch as long as he might at the dog park. And, start slow, giving him time to warm up to avoid a muscle pull.

Beware of submerged dangers. Sharp rocks, shells, coral, & jellyfish can injure your dog.

Rinse thoroughly. When you’re done playing, take time to rinse salt, sand, and microscopic organisms from your dog’s coat Also, be sure to dry your dog’s ears as moisture in the ear canal can cause ear infections.

Dog Beach Etiquette

Before you go:
Find a dog-friendly beach – that means a beach where dogs are allowed and a beach that is safe for your dog.

Pack your bag – A dog bowl and fresh water, a sun umbrella big enough to share, doggy sun screen, vinegar to combat jellyfish stings and sea lice, your pet first aid kit, waste baggies.

Once you arrive:
Keep your dog on leash – Wait until you are in an off leash area and well away from cars and bikes.

Do the doggy paddle – Take the plunge with your pooch and assess your dog’s swimming strength. Not all dogs are naturally strong swimmers.

Be aware – Always supervise your dog when he is in or around water. Watch for broken glass and sharp shells that can hurt your pets paws.

Be social – Dog beaches are great places for your dog to interact with other canines. Be aware of other dogs in the area and their disposition. If you have a large or strong breed dog make sure he isn’t overwhelming a smaller or older dog. If your dog is off leash you must have verbal control of him for his safety and the safety of others at the dog beach.

Pick up after your dog – Ensure the beach remains beautiful and safe for people, pets and animals.

Heading home:
Wash your pet. Check for scrapes, stings and bites. Be sure to wipe the inside of your dog’s ears to prevent an infection.

Salt Water Warning!
Drinking salt water can cause serious health issues for your pet. If your pet ingests salt water he may experience upset stomach, diarrhea and dehydration. Over time ingestion of salt water can cause a build-up of salt crystals in your pet’s body which is extremely painful and can be fatal.

6 Common Safety Tips: Dogs & Water

WATCH
Know where your pets are and what they are doing. You can help prevent accidents and illnesses by keeping them within sight. Make sure you can respond quickly if you see any issues. Never allow unsupervised swimming.

POOL SAFETY
Pets must be able to get out easily. Stairs they can easily climb, or non-slip pool ramps or ladders made for pets can save their lives.

Be extra vigilant with puppies (and kittens). Their enthusiastic tumbling and clumsy running can quickly land them in water. Keep them away from the edge, and don’t lose sight of them, even for a minute.

Get a tall fence. If your dog can’t get out of a pool by themselves, a tall, secure fence surrounding the pool can prevent your dog from jumping in the first place.

WASH
Don’t let salt or pool chemicals dry on their fur. It can irritate their skin, and if they swallow it when licking their fur, it can make them sick.

LIFE JACKETS
The right fit, buoyancy, handles, and bright colors are vital. While the jackets can keep them afloat, you should be able to pull your dog out of water by the handles and easily see them from a distance.

Rest
Swimming can be strenuous! Whether you are playing fetch in the ocean, river, or lake, be careful not to overdo it. Keep your pets close to shore and within sight. Give them rest breaks in a shaded area and provide plenty of drinking water.

WATER
Don’t let them lap up lake, river, pool, or ocean water. When they are thirsty, they need fresh drinking water. The chemicals, bacteria, parasites, and salt from the waters they play in can make them sick.

COMMON SENSE
Lifejackets and fences help prevent accidents, as does supervising your pets’ activities around bodies of water. Watching what they drink and washing them off can help prevent illnesses. Be prepared with a first aid kit, extra drinking water, and towels to wipe them down. Above all: use common sense!

DID YOU KNOW?
Most dogs can swim, right? Yes, but not all dogs like it and some really shouldn’t. Be careful with flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs, like French Bulldogs or Pugs. Besides their short snouts, their big chests are top heavy, so if they get too tired trying to stay afloat, they can quickly sink.

Puppies don’t know how to swim. While they may be able to “dog paddle” a little bit, this is not swimming, and they can tire easily. Learn how to teach them to swim and start them in shallow water.

Cats and water usually don’t mix. Most cats hate getting into water, but the rare Turkish Van cats actually enjoy swimming! And Fishing Cats dive into lakes and swim underwater to catch fish, but these “cats” are wild. See them In action in zoos.

Water dogs are strong swimmers. Most were bred to help hunters retrieve waterfowl from water, including, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Poodles. Keep them out of cold water and strong currents — even powerful swimmers can get hypothermia.

Summertime Safety for Your Pet

Summertime is for walking and playing in the sunshine with your pet. Unfortunately, pets have a harder time keeping cool when the temperatures soar. Be mindful of the heat and keep your pet cool to protect him from heat-related illness and injury.

22,356
Daily record high temperatures have been set across the U.S. from January to June in 2012

120°F
On an 85 degree day, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 120 degrees within 30 minutes.

Keeping Safe in the Summer Heat
• Never leave your pet in a car when you travel or do errands.
• On very hot days, limit exercising your pet to early morning or evening hours.
• Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws.
• Pets with light-colored noses or light-colored fur on their ears are particularly vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer. Use sunscreen on their noses and ear tips.

Heat Stroke
Dogs and cats can’t perspire and can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet, if you suspect heat stroke in your pet, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Signs of heat stroke include (but are not limited to):
• Body temperatures of 104-11 OF degrees.
• Excessive panting.
• Dark or bright red tongue and gums.
• Sticky or dry tongue and gums.
• Staggering
• Stupor
• Seizures
• Bloody diarrhea or vomiting Rapid heartbeat.

Note: Short-nosed breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, etc., large heavy-coated breeds, and dogs with
heart or respiratory problems are more at risk for heat stroke.

Cooling Your Pet
• Find some shade. Get your pet out of the heat.
• Use cool water, not ice water, to cool your pet (very cold water will constrict the blood vessels and impede cooling).
• Place cool wet cloths on feet and around head.
• Offer ice cubes for the animal to lick.
• Contact your your veterinarian.