The dangers to avoid on the beach with your dog
The sea, the sound of the waves, the collection of pretty shells, the sand castles... I can already see myself there! I love going to the beach with my dog. And my favorite place is Brittany with my dog. At high tide or at low tide, the beach is different each time. What magic! Except that Musher is a rascal that you always have to keep an eye on...
Jellyfish, mold, otitis, wave… I watch her closely to avoid danger. If enjoying the sea with your dog is Wow Good, the beach can hold some unpleasant surprises. Let's take stock together. Then you can put on your swimsuit, your flip-flops and grab the parasol for crazy days at the beach and WITH your dog, W'ouf race!
Beware of stings – jellyfish, live and company
When I was little, my parents forced me to wear jellyfish… You see what it is? It's these plastic sandals of all colors. It's perfect for avoiding trouble on the beach. With jellyfish on your feet, you no longer fear the bright ones hidden in the sand at low tide and the sea urchins. It's ideal!
Except that there are no “jellyfish” for your dog. You won't be able to protect it from the sting that surprises you when you walk on it, but if you see sea urchins in the water, move away and prefer another swimming area. A sea urchin woodpecker in a pad will inevitably lead you to your veterinarian. Just like a jellyfish sting. If our dogs are protected by their hair, their nose and their open mouth when they swim, they are at the mercy of jellyfish… And here again the pain can be very sharp and will lead you to the vet right away. Check your bathing area carefully before jumping into the water with doggie! This will save you a lot of trouble...
Another bug that stings is waiting for you… the wasp! On the lookout for bits of sandwiches, crisps, melon, peach pits, fallen ice cream, they invade the beach in summer. And unfortunately, your dog will surely be attracted by the same “delicacies”… Be careful not to let him eat these disgusting things to avoid indigestion and a wasp sting.
On the abandoned beach, shells, dogs, and crustaceans...
In terms of shellfish and crustaceans, I have many anecdotes to tell you… Musher was born in Finistère! She's a proud Breton; finally I presume… 😉 And as a good Breton and greedy Labrador, her diet is very extensive! When Mademoiselle goes to the beach, I watch her very closely because she is able to take off the mussels discovered at low tide to eat them. And of course, she doesn't take the time to remove the shells, huh… She crunches and swallows! The first time I saw her do that, I had the scare of my life. Seashells are extremely sharp. I was afraid that it would cause him great trouble in the stomach. I watched her very closely for the hours that followed… Fortunately, it ended well, but what a scare! Mademoiselle is just as capable of eating crabs that she retrieves directly by pushing the rocks with the truffle and there too, anything goes...
For greedy dogs, the beach is full of delights… Keep an eye on them at all times.
If Musher is a seafood fan, the shells have played a lot of tricks on her… During a walk on the beach, she was playing in the sand and I heard her squeak. I ran in panic. She had just stepped on an oyster shell which had sliced off her pad; immediately rested in sea water and sand. Ouch! A mixture that stings, certainly! This time, she got away with it. The wound was quite superficial and it will only take a few days of rest for it to heal.
I have also seen a dog walk on a broken bottle, buried in the sand: he had to go to the vet urgently because his pad was badly damaged. I guess he must have ended up with a few stitches…
Protect your dog and leave with peace of mind
Jellyfish, shells… The beach can be dangerous and it is better to have protected your dog before the holidays so as not to panic your bank account if you have to go to the vet urgently… The bill at the vet can quickly turn out to be high, like Seawater ! Make it happen, and leave insured! You shouldn't have to choose between caring for your pooch and other expenses.
Let's take a closer look at how to protect your dog: do you have a mutual insurance for dogs ? Mutual insurance for dogs is insurance that covers all or part of your dog's veterinary costs. It works like human mutuals. The famous comparator les ferrets.com, for example, offers an insurance comparator service for dogs. If you have not opted for this type of coverage for your dog, I advise you to at least get an estimate to understand how it works and the savings you could make.
Waves, currents and surfers
The water is good and your dog loves to bathe. No jellyfish on the horizon and a few pretty waves invite you to play in the water? Before you jump into the water, there are 2-3 rigorous checks to observe!
First: does your dog know how to swim properly? Aren't the waves too big for him? Whatever the sea conditions, if you give him permission to go swimming, you must be able to rescue him if necessary. For added safety, opt for a dog life jacket. It will secure your dog and allow him to be more comfortable in the water. To choose your life jacket, discover our article The top 5 best life jackets: comparison, reviews and ratings 2020.
Then pay attention to the current. Even if the water looks calm and tranquil, deceptive and dangerous sea currents can be at work. It is the phenomenon of bays, well known on the Aquitaine coast. As soon as your dog puts a paw in the water, keep an eye on him. Call him back if he strays too far from you.
And finally, watch out for other swimmers or surfers. Don't let your dog get too close to them. The surfer, launched at full speed, will not be able to stop to avoid your dog… and your dog, by swimming too close to people, can scratch them with his paws. this will surely earn you a strong reaction from them. Which is understandable!
Heat stroke: scourge of the beaches!
Do you like to bask for hours in the sun to have perfect tanned skin? Go alone! No question of taking your dog in the middle of the dodger during the hottest hours! Even under an umbrella. Forget this dangerous idea immediately. Your dog fears heatstroke and sunburn. Do not make him run unnecessary risks and favor morning walks or late evening walks at the beach.
And above all, above all, always provide fresh water and a bowl to give him to drink as often as necessary. Our dogs never pretend to have fun at the beach and exert themselves a lot. Never let him drink sea water, otherwise he will suffer from severe indigestion, which would lead you directly to your veterinarian.
Ah, I don't know if you knew this, but just like us, dogs can be victims of sunstroke and sunburn. Dogs with light skin, rosy noses and short hair are the most vulnerable. The hair of dogs serves as a coat in winter, a raincoat on rainy days, a suit when the water is cold and sunscreen when the sun is beating down. They are not there as decoration or to form pills in the four corners of your house!
Sand and salt: mandatory rinsing of your dog
A last one for the road ? Let's end this article with one last danger at the beach for your dog: salt. You will absolutely need to rinse your dog after each swim at the beach and dry his ears well to avoid infections and ear infections.
Just like us, swimming in sea water is refreshing, fun, relaxing, invigorating and all you want… but the salt attacks the skin and dries it out. After each swim, we have to rinse off. It's the same for your dog. Sand and salt are not good for his skin and hair.
To end on a high note, and not to stay on a negative note, I suggest some fun games to try out with your dog at the beach:
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Digging in the sand
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Bring back a floating Frisbee
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Do a slalom with pieces of driftwood
Enjoying the beach with your dog is a great luxury! Dog-friendly beaches are rare. I recommend that you take a look at the article The top 10 French beaches to try with your dog. You can also find the full list of beaches that accept dogs in the beach section of the site. Walking on a beach not authorized for dogs is risky: you expose yourself to a fine, the amount of which may vary from one municipality to another. Moreover, if you know of other beaches that accept dogs, share them with the large community of Wouafer's on the site.