If you're going to the beach with your dog, you'll want to ensure that you have the right accessories with you.
Dogs, like humans, need home comforts to protect them from the sun and overheating. When you're thinking of heading off for some sandy beach fun, take a minute to ensure you have a few doggy beach essentials.
Examples of what to pack for your dog for the beach include a popup shelter or beach umbrella for shade, a water bowl, fresh water, towels, dog sunscreen, poo bags, and if you’re thinking of going out to sea paddleboarding, you might want to add a dog life jacket to your list.
Here’s our complete checklist of doggy beach items.
Top 13 dog items to take to the beach
Depending on what you’re planning on doing at the beach. How long you will be there and what the weather is like will undoubtedly influence your decision on what to take with you for your dog.
Essentials include shade or sun protection, water, and poo bags to pick up after your pooch. Others on the list are good to have but won’t harm you if you forget them.
- Beach umbrella or pop up shelter
- Water bowl
- Fresh Water (not sea water)
- Poo bags
- Dog suncreen – sun protection
- Towels
- First aid kit
- Dog collar with ID & contact details
- Treats or food
- Life vest
- Dog chews / toys
- Ways to clean your dog
- Leash screw – dog tie out stake
Essential beach items and why you need them
These items are a priority to pack if you’re thinking about taking your dog to the beach and will help keep your dog safe in the sun.
Sun protection
To prevent overheating, you will want to make sure you take something with you to create a shaded area for your dog to take a break from the sun.
This shade producer could be a beach umbrella or a pop-up shelter. You can even buy specific dog shelters, but typically anything that provides shade and protects from the sun’s UV rays will help your dog cool down and prevent them from overheating while at the beach.
Some dog breeds are more prone to sunburn than others, so if yours is, take some canine sunscreen to put on their nose and sensitive areas that could get burnt.
Fresh water & bowl
If you’re heading to the beach with your dog for a long time or on a hot day, you will want to take fresh water and some way for them to drink it. It might be tempting to let them drink the seawater, but the high salt content can cause serious harm, vomiting, and diarrhoea, much like it can to us if we drink too much.
So make sure you have a good-sized bottle of fresh water with you, tap water will do, and a water bowl or specialised dog bottle with you that has a drinking bowl attached. Your dog will thank you.
Dog collar & ID
Whether you take your dog to the beach or just out and about with you, you should ensure that your pet pooch has an appropriate dog caller with ID and your contact information.
A correctly created ID will ensure that in case your dog gets lost or into trouble, whoever finds it will be able to reach you as the first point of call. Safety first, especially with your furry friends.
Poop Bags
In most places in the UK and worldwide, you’ll need to make sure you clean up after your dog or risk fines. That means taking enough poop bags to the beach to ensure you can pick up after your dog inevitably poops.
It might be tempting to bury it in the sand, but that’s irresponsible. Imagine if a kid digs up the sand and finds pretty gross dog poo, which can cause health issues. Be responsible; pick up your dogs’ poop and dispose of it correctly, no matter where you are.
Cleaning equipment
If you’re allowed to let your dog off the leash or just fancy a swim with your pup, then the mix of sand and salt water isn’t going to be pleasant for them when it dries.
Take some kind of cleaning equipment with you, like a paw cleaner that can help get most of the dirt and salt off before you get home, where you can give them a proper wash.
Nice to have beach items
These are items that aren’t essential but are nice to have and could make all the difference, especially if you’re going to be doing watersports with your canine friend.
Life vest
Some dogs are better swimmers than others. However, if you’re heading out to sea on a paddleboard or surfing some waves, it is beneficial to give your dog a little help in the floating and swimming department.
Get yourself a dog life vest or dog life jacket that wraps around their body snuggly and acts as an extra preventative to stop them from drowning in case they get into trouble in the water.
Dog Tie Out Stake
Some beaches only let you keep your dog on a leash while at the beach. If this is the case for your next visit, consider investing in a dog tie-out stake. It screws deep into the sand, forming a secure base to attach your dog’s leash.
It saves you from tying it to a chair or having to hold the leash continually and, in most cases, is adequate to secure even the biggest of dogs.
If you’re wondering, can I bring my dog on the beach? It’s always best to do some research before you head. A quick online search will provide the answer, or if you’re already there, check out the signage at the entrance to the beach, as that’ll tell you what times they’re allowed and when.
First Aid Kit
How often do you take a first aid kit with you when you head to the beach? The answer is probably never. But it’s always a good idea not just for dogs but us humans too for those rare occasions we hurt ourselves.
Put a small first aid kit in your car, and when you’re next at the beach, you’ll be ready to tackle any cuts and scrapes you or your dog get into.
Related: Dog first aid kit essentials.
Dog Towels
If your dog’s anything like my cockapoo, he likes a good swim, whether in a pond, lake, or the sea. This is why it’s always a good idea to add a towel into the mix of items to take to the beach with you.
This doesn’t have to be a specific dog towel. An old towel you don’t use anymore or is a little worn will do to help dry your dog when they inevitably take a dip in the ocean.
Summing Up
If you’re taking your dog to the beach, you’ll want to be prepared so as not to spoil your day out.
Make sure you have the beach essentials, like sun protection, fresh water, poop bags, and a collar with ID with you, and you’ll have covered most basis in keeping your dog safe while at the beach.
Don’t let them drink the seawater, and ensure their keep hydrated.
Now you know what to pack for your dog at the beach, you’ll be able to enjoy your next visit to the seaside.
