We’re going to the beach! Yay! I love the beach…but who doesn’t?! Matt and I drive to California several times a year since we have a house there, but we only visit the beach a couple of times each year. In February 2014 we took Wynston to the beach for the first time. We first took Khloee in 2015, and now it’s McKenzie Rae’s turn! Now that I know what to expect and how to prepare, I’ve put together a list of items that I think are necessary for a beach trip with your dogs.
What to Bring to the Dog Beach
- Collar with ID tags: This item is the most important, in my opinion. If you are going to let your dog off leash at the beach, it’s imperative that your dog has a secure collar with up to date ID tags on it. Your dog may run too far or get lost in the shuffle. Make it easy for someone to return your dog to you just in case!
- Towels: Bring plenty of beach towels for laying on, drying off or protecting your car seats from wet, sandy dogs!
- Sunscreen: I bring sunscreen for humans and dogs. Doggy noses and ears can easily get sunburned, as well as bare areas on your dog that may not have a lot of fur. I use a kid’s or adult’s dermatologist approved sunscreen. You will find that most sunscreen brands specifically for dogs have the same ingredients as the human kind.
- Durable dog toys: Bring a ball or rope toy that can easily sustain sand and water. It’s a lot of fun to play fetch on the beach but make sure it’s not an expensive or special toy, as there’s a chance the ocean will devour it.
- Water: Bring plenty of fresh water for yourself and your dogs. It’s important to stay very hydrated while spending time in the sun.
- Water bowl: Make sure you bring a water bowl so your dog always has access to fresh water.
- Dog treats: I bring treats for positive reinforcement on the beach, like responding to my recall or just being well behaved. You can bring foods like watermelon, apples and carrots for a healthy snack as well. They have lots of vitamins that are great for your pups!
- Sand mat: I like bringing a bamboo sand mat to the beach. It’s nice to lay on, and they make for a better surface for putting items on, rather than just laying a towel down. They are also very to clean off!
- Cooler: We always bring a cooler with lots of ice so we can pack a ton of water and snacks. We can also bring fresh fruit for the dogs if we have a cooler. I throw the sunscreen in there too so it doesn’t melt!
- Chairs: It’s great to bring a couple of fold up camping chairs if you have them. This way you can enjoy the beach without getting your butt all sandy!
- Umbrella: Consider bringing an umbrella to shade yourself or your dog from the sun while relaxing!
- Shampoo: This is a must have for after your beach trip! Sand can get caught in unwanted places on your dog, so you will want to give them a nice bath afterwards! I like using 4-Legger.
- Poop bags: It does not sound fun to pick up sandy poop on the beach but it must be done. You probably don’t want to step in it and we need to keep dog friendly places clean so we get invited back.
- Apparel: You may want to consider sunglasses, a hat or a t-shirt if you are worried your dog might get sunburned or if they are more susceptible to heat or sun damage.
- Life jacket: Taking your dog swimming at the beach? Even if your dog knows how to swim, a life jacket is always a safe choice. Better to be safe than sorry.
All three of my dogs do incredibly well at the dog beach. I feel very blessed that I can give them the opportunity to run freely on the beach without a care in the world.
Have you ever taken your dog to the beach? What are your must have items for a doggy beach trip?
Cathy Armato says
Excellent tips! I’m excited for Khloee’s first trip to the beach, I can’t wait to see photos of her first day on the beach! She looks a lot like my girl Phoebe. Since Wynston is a pro at the beach, I’m sure he showed Khloee the ropes! For me, lots of water is the most important thing to bring with us and towels to clean them off afterward is a close second.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Claudia says
I never knew that one had to put sunscreen on dogs. So regular children sunscreen can be put on their noses? I have two pugs and I afraid if I do so they might lick it off.
Amanda says
You don’t HAVE to put sunscreen on dogs, but I do because I don’t want them to get sunburned. A sun burn can be as detrimental to their health as it is to humans. I dab a little bit on and around my dog’s noses and they just leave it. As long as I don’t cake it on, Khloee and Wyn don’t mind.