Beach Hazards for Dogs: How to Keep Your Pet Safe
Pet Safety
The Gulf Coast is known for its beautiful beaches. Spending time with your furry friend at a dog-friendly beach can be filled with great experiences, but it can also end in the emergency room. Be mindful when taking your pet with you on your next trip to ensure everyone stays healthy and safe.
Seaweed
Seaweed found on the beach is very different from the processed seaweed that you may have read is safe for your pet to consume. During the warm summer months, wild seaweed will dry out and shrink in size. When your dog ingests it, it can combine with the water in the stomach and expand, potentially causing a severe blockage. Additionally, pollutants and other debris present on the seaweed can be harmful for your dog if ingested.
Saltwater
When dogs are playing fetch in the water or swimming, they can ingest large amounts of salt water. A sudden ingestion of large quantities of sodium (salt) can cause significant problems in your dog’s brain and can lead to death. Your dog can also ingest salt by grooming themselves after being in salt water, and by eating seaweed. That is why it is so important to rinse your dog off with fresh water after time spent on the beach. It is is high in salt content and inadvertent ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea and increased thirst. In severe cases, ingesting saltwater can disrupt a pet’s electrolyte balance, which may affect the heart and nervous system and require hospitalized treatment. The best way to prevent this is by offering plenty of clean, fresh water to make sure your pet stays hydrated the right way when at the beach.
Tides and Currents
Know the water conditions. Rough waves and strong currents can make swimming too dangerous for your dog.
Sea Life
One of the reasons dogs love going to the beach is all the things you can find there. Shells, crab legs and dead creatures are fun to lick and play with, but could cause bacterial infections, cracked teeth and intestinal obstructions if ingested. Sharp objects like broken seashells and rocks could cut your dog’s paw pads.
There are many different species of jellyfish in the ocean, some being more concerning than others. Ingestion of certain types can cause gastrointestinal upset, muscular, cardiac and neurological effects. If pets are stung by jellyfish, they can also experience pain, redness and irritation on the skin, much like human exposures. If either occurs, please contact your veterinarian or the APCC at (888) 426-4435.
Dead fish may be appealing toys or snacks for pets, but ingestion can cause vomiting and diarrhea. The fishhooks, skeleton, scales and sharp spines may also cause physical injury to the mouth and digestive tract. Some fish species carry additional toxin concerns when eaten, which can lead to complications such as difficulty breathing, heart and nervous system effects. When in doubt, it’s always best to steer your pet away from anything washed up on shore.
Garbage
From cigarette butts to alcohol and food, there is a lot of garbage that gets left behind after a day or night at the beach. Both alcohol and nicotine are toxic to dogs. Even a small cigarette butt can mean serious illness or death for a small dog if ingested and some guacamole left behind in a takeout food container can make your dog very ill.
Bacteria and Parasites
Seawater and beach sand can be teeming with microorganisms that might make your dog sick. Runoff and warm temperatures encourage bacteria growth in coastal waters. For instance, Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease carried by wildlife urine that can contaminate stagnant beach puddles or nearby freshwater streams. Dogs that ingest or swim in contaminated water can contract leptospirosis, which may lead to severe kidney or liver damage. Coliform bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella can be present in seawate, especially near areas with sewage or where birds and fish congregate, causing gastrointestinal infections in dogs that drink the water. Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Parasites are another concern, particularly in sand or brackish water. Dogs can pick up Giardia from drinking infected water, leading to chronic diarrhea and weight loss. Intestinal worm eggs, such as roundworms and hookworms, can survive in moist sand – if dogs sniff or ingest sand contaminated with fecal matter, they could become infected. One study found that about 40% of sand samples from public parks were contaminated with parasite eggs like roundworms, highlighting the risk in sandy environments. Beyond making dogs sick, some of these parasites are zoonotic, meaning they can also infect humans who come into contact with contaminated sand or soil. This is yet another reason to always pick up after your dog and to prevent dogs from scavenging or digging in areas that could be tainted with feces. To protect your dog, do not let them drink from puddles, tidal pools, or unknown water sources. Provide plenty of fresh water so they aren’t tempted to lap from the ocean or lagoons. Keep current on your dog’s deworming and vaccination (leptospirosis vaccine, if recommended in your area) as preventive measures. Rinsing your dog off after swimming can also wash away any microbes clinging to fur or skin.
Sand
Whether you are wriggling your toes in it or your dog is digging in it, sand is a big part of what makes spending time at the beach so much fun. However, as much fun as it is, sand can be very dangerous for your dog. If your dog ingests too much, they can suffer from sand impaction. This typically shows up as constipation in the dog, but if the dog is dehydrated and the sand becomes compact, it can cause an intestinal obstruction that could become life threatening. Another good reason to rinse off your dog and make sure their paw pads do not have any sand on them that your dog can lick and ingest.
Other dogs
Just like dog parks, dog-friendly beaches attract high numbers of dogs, many off-leash. Watch for any signs of aggression and keep your dog leashed up if they haven’t been trained at recall or have any anxiety around strange dogs.
Sunburn
Remember to take fresh water with you when you visit the beach so your dog doesn’t overheat and won’t be tempted to drink salt water if they get thirsty. If you plan to sit at the beach with your dog (only when temperatures are at their coolest), make sure you provide shade for them. And don’t forget about sunscreen for your dog! Dogs can suffer from sunburn too so use a pet-safe sunscreen on their nose, ears and any area that doesn’t have a lot of fur. Pet ingestion of human sunscreens can cause vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes allergic reactions. Sunscreens may also contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can cause low blood sugar and liver damage in dogs. If you need to protect your pet from the sun, stick with products that are specifically formulated for animals, and ask your veterinarian for recommendations.
Heatstroke
With spring and summer temperatures getting warmer each year, we need to be very careful about when we take our dog to the beach. When temperatures and the UV index are at their peak (typically between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.), we should be keeping our dogs indoors where they can remain cool and avoid exposure to the sun’s harmful rays.
Know the signs of heatstroke and give your dog time to rest in the shade.
Signs of heatstroke include:
excessive panting
increased heart rate
confusion or disorientation
poor appetite, vomiting or diarrhea
bright red gums
body temperature higher than 40 degrees celsius
collapse, seizure, or coma
Prevention is key
The beach is a great place for pets and their guardians. Most of these beach dangers are preventable by doing a few simple things:
keep your dog on a leash
make fresh water available
pay attention to what they might be trying to ingest
rinse your dog’s fur and clean their paws thoroughly
During any beach visit with your furry friends, we suggest stocking up on fresh water, pet dishes, your pet’s favorite treats and meals, and something to keep your pet cool, like an umbrella for shade. Never leave your pet unattended and watch out for the above items so that everyone can enjoy a fun, safe day at the beach!
