Going to the beach is fun for both pets and humans. But experts at Simply Sea Views recommend taking precautions before heading off for your trip. After all, you don’t want to dampen a fun-filled day if something terrible were to happen to your beloved pet. You can then better enjoy the surf, sand and sun while at the beach knowing that you are fully prepared.
With this in mind, here are safety tips you should implement when taking your pet to the beach.
1. Carry Sunscreen
Pets, including cats and dogs, usually get sunburns after staying too long in the sun. And to protect them, you need to buy chemical-free sunscreen. You need to do this more so for pets with shorter hair or hairless.
That said, don’t buy the sunscreen humans use on your pet. Instead, buy one explicitly formulated for pets to avoid any adverse reaction. After purchasing the ideal sunscreen, apply it on your pet 30 minutes before going to the beach. Repeat this several times if you spend most of your day at the seaside.
2. Beware Of Loose Dogs
Not all beaches allow you to come with pets. And for those that do, you can expect to find many other four-legged pets. This can be an issue either if your pet is a cat or a dog.
If you’re a dog owner, keep an eye out for aggressive dogs that aren’t on a leash. The same for cats, as some dogs see them as prey, so you must be very careful.
3. Carry Plenty Of Water
The beach’s hot sunny air can often become too much for pets. And to help them cope, you must offer them plenty of water to drink. Doing so ensures your pet, be it a cat or dog, remains hydrated while on the beach.
If your pet doesn’t get the water to remain cool and hydrated, it’ll most likely drink salt water, which isn’t safe. So to deal with the temptation, you need to ensure your pet always has enough fresh water to drink.
4. Always Use A Leash
Making sure your pet is one of your top priorities, which explains why you need to buy a leash. Having a harness is useful even when carrying your cat in a backpack. Doing this ensures your cat remains connected to the backpack in case of an accidental fall.
It would be best if you also had a 10-foot leash when taking your dog to the seaside. Such a leash allows you to get control of your dog even while it swims in the water. The last thing you want is to see your dog running after other animals, be it birds, seagulls, cats or other dogs, and you don’t have control over them. Using a leash also helps ensure your dog doesn’t swim too far into the sea, especially when waves become too strong.
5. Look Out For Hazards
The beach can have potential hazards that can cause harm to your pet, including bottle caps and broken shells. When your pet eats any of these items, they risk causing harm to themselves. You can prevent such issues by looking for possible hazards around the seaside. This proactive approach ensures you don’t dampen your day on the beach with your pet.