Safety Tips for Taking Your Dog to the Beach by Nikki Smith and Erin Selby

Summer is a great time to take your dog to the beach. We are lucky to live close to so many dog-friendly parks in the East Bay. Some staff favorites are Point Isobel, Muir Beach, Del Valle, Ocean Beach, and Crissy Field. The best way to enjoy the beach with your dog is to be prepared and follow these safety tips:

• Be mindful of your dog when playing in the water. Make sure your dog can swim. For more on how to teach your dog to swim, go here. Even water savvy dogs can become tired or become caught in a tide or an undertow. Consider investing in a special canine life jacket.  Practice common sense and caution when your dog is playing in the waves.
  

• Supervise your dog at all times. It is a joy to watch them run around in nature but be aware of your surroundings. Dogs can fall off rocks or trails or injure themselves. Beaches frequently have hazardous objects or strange materials around so it is important to keep an eye on your dog at all times to keep them from ingesting anything foreign or cutting themselves. Never leave them alone.

• Come prepared. Bring a first aid kit, a leash, treats, and bottled water with a portable water bowl. Pack extra towels and a blanket to dry off your dog and to protect your car for the ride home. Even if you are visiting an off-leash beach it is always a good idea to have a leash on hand. It's best to keep your pet protected and under control when necessary. Keep your dog’s collar and current ID on at all times. Bring plastic bags for cleaning up after your dog.  

• Salt water is a bad for dogs because it can cause them to vomit/regurgitate or have diarrhea if too much is ingested. If you see your dog drinking salt water, stop them and offer them some fresh water from a portable water bowl.

• Dogs may get car sick so cover your car seats with plastic bags and cover plastic bags with towels or blankets for comfort. Consider talking to your veterinarian about an anti-nausea medication.

• It is common for pets to be sore after a day of heavy activity, especially senior or overweight pets. Talk to your veterinarian about whether or not anti-inflammatory medication is appropriate for your pet and if the pain continues after a few days please call us to schedule an examination with your veterinarian.

• Apply a flea and tick preventative such as Frontline Plus (ticks are a higher risk closer to the coast and in the tall grasses) at least 3 to 4 days before you head off to the beach.
  

• Make sure your pet's vaccines are up to date. Don't let your dog chase or harass the wildlife.This is for your dog's safety as well as the wildlife's.

Ask the Vet: Summer Adventures with Swimming by Kristel Weaver, DVM, MPVM

With the weather warming up, I’d like to take my dog to the lake.  How do I teach him to swim?

Before putting your dog in the water consider his breed. Retrievers and spaniels were bred to hunt in the water and typically love swimming. Bulldogs have short legs with a heavy body making it impossible to stay afloat. I recommend a life jacket until you’re confident of your dog’s ability or if your dog is swimming in open water, regardless of his breed or ability.

The first step in teaching your dog to swim is how to exit the water safely. A dog unable to get out of the water can drown from exhaustion. Stand at the exit site and call your dog to be sure he knows how to get out. If needed, wade in and assist your dog out of the water until he gets the hang of it.

Second, practice swimming in shallow water where you can support your dog. Dogs should use both their front legs and back legs to swim. If your dog is just paddling with his front legs, provide support under his chest until all four legs are going. Use calm, positive reinforcement to encourage him to swim and develop confidence.

Third, build up his endurance by gradually increasing the amount of time in the water. As dogs get fatigued they drop lower into the water and pant harder. Encourage breaks and don’t push your dog to exhaustion. 

After swimming rinse your dog with fresh water. Chlorinated water, lake water or salt water can make them feel itchy and uncomfortable. Flush his ears with a drying ear flush to prevent ear infections.

In addition to teaching your dog to swim I have a few water safety tips: 

•  Dogs should NEVER be in the water unsupervised.  It is tragic and devastating when accidental drowning occurs.

• Extreme caution should be used when dogs and kids are in the pool together as they can climb on each other and hold one another under water.

• Dogs that are swimming in lakes and rivers should be vaccinated for leptospirosis - a water borne bacteria that can cause liver and kidney failure.

• Discourage your dog from drinking ocean water as it can give them an upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea.

With the right training and the proper precautions swimming can be a great activity for your dog and fun for the entire family.  If you think your dog will enjoy swimming, I hope these basic tips get him paddling safely!

Dr. Kristel Weaver is a graduate of the Veterinary School at the University of California, Davis where she received both a DVM and a Master’s of Preventative Veterinary Medicine (MPVM).  She has been at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care in San Ramon since 2007.  She currently lives in Oakland with her husband and their daughter, Hayley. If you have questions you would like Dr. Weaver to answer for future articles, please email info@webvets.com.