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Going to the Beach and Swimming with Dogs

An end-of-summer vacation to the beach, river or lake is always a great idea. If you live in the
Northern regions of the country, you can always head south for some warm-weather nostalgia.
If you bring your dog along with you, make sure to take some proper safety precautions.

Bringing Your Dog to the Beach:

When you are heading to the beach, double check that they allow dogs. Some beaches have
special designated areas for dogs, and others only allow them at certain times of the day. One
obvious tip is to not let your dog drink the salt water, but make sure that you bring a supply of
fresh water for your dog. Salt water can potentially make your dog sick, so be careful it doesn’t
consume too much of it. Check to see beforehand if the beach has a faucet. Make sure to let
your dog rest in a shady area. Dogs can in fact get sunburned, especially ones with short hair,
or white hair with pink skin. Like humans, dogs shouldn’t be in ultra-strong sunlight for
extended periods of time. Put sunblock on your dog’s nose and ears to prevent sunburn.

Before your dog goes into the water, check with the lifeguard about cautions of jellyfish or sea
lice, as dogs are easy prey. Also be careful of riptides or if the water is too choppy that day. If
your dog is old or out of shape, running on the sand may not be the best idea. A sandy surface
is more difficult to run on than on grass or the street, so the over exercise could hurt its
muscles. The materials of salt water can damage your dog’s coat, so make sure to rinse it off
with fresh water after you take it to the beach.