What Should You Pack for a Perfect Dog Beach Trip?

by Britt

Published: August 18th, 2025

Photo credit: alexgo.photography / Shutterstock.com

Summer is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the magic of summer is behind us yet. The days are still long and warm! It’s the perfect time to soak up those last beautiful golden rays and make some unforgettable memories with your pup.

While many people think of summer vacations as a thing of the past when August rolls around, my pups and I know better. This is a prime opportunity to plan one last epic beach getaway.

But a great beach trip is going to require a little more preparation than just grabbing a towel and a toy before running out the door. To ensure your dog’s day playing in the water is both safe and fun, you need to create a more comprehensive dog beach checklist. This guide is your roadmap to a worry-free day at the beach, highlighting all the essentials you need so you can both enjoy every moment of your time together.

Before You Go

A perfect day at the beach with your dog starts long before you ever leave the driveway. It all comes down to a little bit of planning and research.

Finding a Dog-Friendly Beach

First and foremost, you’ll need to choose the right dog beach. Not all beaches are created equal when it comes to our furry friends. Before you load up the car, do a quick search for local dog-friendly beaches, reading up on their specific rules and reviews from other dog parents. Does your dog need to be on a leash? Are they allowed in only certain areas or during specific hours? Knowing these details in advance will save you from a frustrating trip and potential fines.

It’s also a good idea to check the weather forecast and the tide schedule when planning your trip. A beach at low tide offers more space to run and play, while high tide might mean less shoreline. Knowing the weather will help you avoid getting trapped out in rough weather like heavy rain or a thunderstorm.

Is Your Dog Ready for the Water?

While some dogs leap into the waves without a second thought, others are more hesitant. It’s crucial to remember that not all dogs are natural swimmers, and that’s perfectly okay. My boy Lucifer was afraid of the waves at first and now loves swimming. However, my girl Willow has no interest in anything more than walking through the very edge of the water.

If this is your dog’s first time at the beach, take it slow. Let them get their paws wet on their own terms. Encourage them with praise and treats to step into the shallow water. Don’t force it or you could create a negative association, turning them off the idea of swimming moving forward. If they’re happy just wading along the shoreline, that’s a success! A positive first experience will go far in helping you build their confidence and ensuring they will enjoy future trips.

Beach Bag Essentials for Your Dog-Friendly Trip

Your beach bag should be more than just a place to stash your sunscreen and a roll of poop bags; it’s a safety kit for your best friend. Every item you pack can make a world of difference.

Water Safety

It’s tempting to think your dog can handle the water on their own, but even the strongest swimmers can get tired or caught in a current, depending on the conditions where you’re swimming. This is where a life jacket becomes your best friend.

A properly fitted dog life jacket provides buoyancy and can be a lifesaver, especially for breeds that aren’t natural swimmers, puppies, or older dogs. Most life jackets also have a handle on the back, which is incredibly useful for guiding your dog in the water or lifting them back into a paddleboard or boat if you head out paddling. We recently switched to the Ruffwear Confluence Life Jacket for Lucifer and love that it offers protection in an emergency while still allowing him to run and play.

Playtime Preparedness

Playing fetch on the beach is a classic, but what you throw matters. A simple stick can seem like a great toy, but it can lead to some serious risks. Sticks can splinter in your dog’s mouth, causing cuts and internal injuries. Pieces can also be swallowed, leading to intestinal blockages that require emergency surgery.

Instead, pack safe, durable, and brightly colored floating toys. Our go-to is the Chuckit! Air Fetch Ball. These are easy to spot in the water and are designed for safe play.

While playing fetch in the water, be mindful of how much water your dog is ingesting. Overconsumption can lead to water intoxication, a rare but life-threatening condition where a dog’s sodium levels drop dangerously low. If you notice your dog becoming lethargic, bloated, or uncoordinated, take a break from play and give them a chance to rest.

Paw Protection

The sand might feel cool and soft to you, but it can get scorching hot under the sun. Before letting your dog walk on it, check the sand’s temperature with the back of your hand. If it’s too hot for you to hold your hand on for a few seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s sensitive paw pads. In these cases, consider bringing booties, like the Canada Pooch Dog Boots for Hot Pavement, to protect their paws from burns.

Dog Sunscreen

Just like us, dogs can get sunburns, especially on areas with less fur, such as their noses and ears. If your dog has a light-colored, short, or thin coat, they are even more susceptible. Applying a dog-specific sunscreen to these sensitive areas can help prevent painful burns and reduce the risk of skin cancer. Alternatively, you can use a UV protection shirt like the Spark Paws Sunblock Dog T-Shirt with SPF 30 sun protection.

Never use human sunscreen, as many of the ingredients are toxic to dogs if ingested.

Emergency Supplies

Even with careful planning, minor accidents can happen. Having a small, portable first aid kit can make all the difference. You can purchase a pre-made dog-friendly first aid kit or create your own with all the necessary emergency supplies.

Your kit should include:

Vet wrap for holding bandages in place
Antiseptic wipes to clean minor cuts
Saline solution to flush out sand or debris from their eyes
Tweezers to remove small splinters or ticks
Paw ointment to soothe irritated paw pads

Finally, before you leave the house, double-check that your dog’s ID tags are securely attached and that the information is up to date. It’s a simple step that can increase the chances of getting your pup home safely if they happen to wander off.

My dog Lucifer with his Drytek by Deliliah Towel and his Chuckit! Air Fetch Ball

Post-Beach Care

The adventure doesn’t end when you leave the sand. The moments right after you head back to the vehicle and when you first arrive home are just as important as the planning, as they help ensure your dog stays healthy and comfortable.

Give Your Pup a Rinse

If you have access to fresh water before climbing into your vehicle (you may not, depending on the beach), you should do a thorough rinse and repeat. The combination of salt, sand, and other debris can be harsh on your dog’s skin and coat. Leaving it on can lead to irritation, dryness, and even painful hot spots.

A quick rinse with fresh water will wash away the grime and salt, keeping their skin healthy. If you have a dog with sensitive skin and know you won’t have access to fresh water, consider bringing a jug of water yourself that can be used for this purpose in the parking lot before you leave.

Dry Off Fully

After the rinse, it’s all about drying. Can’t rinse? Drying off with a towel will at least help to remove much of the sand and debris. While any old towel will do, a dedicated dog towel is a game-changer. We use and love the Delilah Home Drytek High Performance Dog Towel (as you can see in the picture above). It’s designed with quick-drying, absorbent materials and even has antimicrobial properties. This helps prevent the growth of bacteria and the musty odors that can linger on a regular towel after a day at the beach.

Do a Careful Tick Check

Finally, and this is a crucial step, take the time to perform a careful check for unwanted guests. Ticks love grassy areas near beaches, and they can easily hitch a ride home on your dog’s fur. Do a thorough once-over of their entire body, paying special attention to hotspots like their ears, between their toes, and in their armpits. With the risk of tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

While you’re at it, inspect their paw pads for any small shells or pieces of sand that might be stuck, which can cause irritation or discomfort later. Taking a few extra minutes for these simple steps can ensure that the fun of the beach lasts, while the mess and potential problems don’t.

Addressing Wet Dog Smell in Your Vehicle

Even with the best of intentions, a day at the beach with your dog often leaves a little sand behind on your car seats. A quick post-trip car cleanup can save your vehicle’s interior from becoming a permanent sandy mess.

Before you even get home, consider using a towel to wipe the worst of the sand from your dog’s paws and coat while they’re still outside the car. Once they’re in, using a waterproof seat cover or even a large towel can protect your seat from sand and water stains.

Beyond the sand, there’s also the distinct smell of wet dog. This can linger long after your dog is dry! When you get home, at your earliest convenience, try using a pet-specific deodorizing spray designed to neutralize odors rather than just masking them. Airing out your car by rolling down the windows on the drive home and on any trips that follow soon after can also make a huge difference.

For stubborn odors, sprinkle baking soda on your cat’s floor mats and seats. Let it sit for a few hours or even overnight, and then vacuum it up. It will absorb moisture and odors, leaving your car smelling fresh and clean.

Make Beach Memories Before Summer Ends

A day at the beach with your dog is more than just a chance of scenery; it’s a chance to make memories and strengthen the bond you share. By taking the time to plan, pack the right gear, and prioritize their safety. In doing so, you’re not just being a responsible pet parent; you’re creating an experience that is truly enjoyable for everyone.

The sound of waves, the feel of the sand between their paws, and the joy on their face as they chase a favorite toy are moments to be cherished. With a bit of preparation, you can relax and be present, knowing you’ve done everything to ensure your dog is safe, happy, and ready to make the most of the last days of summer.

Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Britt

Britt Kascjak is a proud pet mom, sharing her heart (and her home) with her “pack” which includes her husband John, their 2 dogs – Lucifer and Willow – and their 3 cats – Pippen, Jinx, and Theia. She has been active in the animal rescue community for over 15 years, volunteering, fostering and advocating for organizations across Canada and the US. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country camping, hiking, and canoeing with her pets.

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If you’re a dog owner who’s ever walked outside to find craters scattered across your lawn, you’re not alone. Digging is a natural behavior for dogs, but it can quickly become frustrating. Before you can put a stop to the behavior, it helps to understand why your dog might be digging. Here are three of the most common reasons.Disclosure: PetGuide may receive a small affiliate commission from purchases made via links in this article but at no cost to you.

Those Little Tubes of Creamy Cat Food Are Actually Good For Your Pet

(photo credit: 69 F Stop Photography / shutterstock.com)While we typically associate those nifty little tubes of creamy cat food as being along the lines of a really special treat that can only be doled out from time to time, they do serve other purposes. Particularly if your pet is ill, aging, or dealing with dental issues, that can make them super-picky eaters when it comes to their regular food and/or ability to eat harder kibble.In fact, you may be surprised to learn that these handy little lickable treats can actually be good for your pet. Especially, if you look at some of the low-calorie, high-protein, low-carb options out there.Let’s start with this. Did you know that on average, cats should consume 20-30 calories per pound of body weight? So, if you have a 10-pound cat, you’re looking at 200 to 300 calories per day. Like humans, this can vary based on age and activity levels. For context, a 3-ounce can of something like Fancy Feast has around 70 calories, a 5.5-ounce can of Friskies (in gravy) has around 130 calories, and a 1-cup portion of Meow Mix dry kibble comes in at 310 calories.So, let’s look at how adding those popular wet cat food tubes to your pet’s diet can benefit your pet without adding a lot of empty calories.Benefits to Your CatHydrationWet foods are super-high in moisture. Where dry food/kibble contains 10% moisture, wet foods provide closer to 85%. Making them an easy way to ensure your feline gets her daily hydration needs, which is typically around 8 ounces of water (1 cup) for a 10-pound cat and around 3 ounces more for every five pounds over that. Hydration is crucial to proper kidney and urinary tract function, and if your feline is older, ill, or recovering from surgery, meaning less inclined to want to drink, it’s a great way to induce her.DigestibilityTaste and texture factor large in how well your cat enjoys their meal. And the savory smell and texture of wet food along with her ability to easily consume and digest make it an easy enticement when age, illness or dental issues have you concerned about dehydration. While some are loyal to dry food it’s important to ensure that your kibble-loving feline is squeezing sufficient moisture into her diet to prevent constipation or dehydration. Adding one or two wet food tubes to her kibble meal – either squeezed across the top or used as a treat – is an easy solution.Weight ManagementWet food tubes are a great solution to managing your cat’s weight. Rich in protein, low in carbohydrates and with just a handful of calories, the wet texture makes your cat feel full sooner and keeps her satisfied for longer. And those rich nutrients ensure she’s getting everything she needs to stay fit and healthy on fewer calories.How to IntroduceStraight out of the tube as a treatSqueezed over your cat’s kibble as a topper/supplementSpread across a licking mat to engage and encourage soothing stimulationPresented on your finger when delivering medicationDispensed into a portion-control spoon to encourage interaction

3 Fun Games to Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer

Long walks and high-energy fetch sessions are generally off the cards when temperatures soar, but that doesn’t mean playtime has to take a backseat.Here are three fun, simple games that help your dog stay active and cool when the weather’s blazing.Disclosure: PetGuide may receive a small affiliate commission from purchases made via links in this article but at no cost to you.

Cat Reunited with Owner Two Months After LA Wildfires

The LA wildfires in California were devastating not only because so many people lost their homes, but also because many people lost their pets. But there have been a lot of beautiful rescue and reunion stories in the months since the fires happened, and the story of Aggie the cat is one of them.

Nationwide Pet Insurance Reveals Most Common Claims

Have you ever wondered what the most common causes of veterinary visits are? Well, pet insurance companies that receive claims when pets visit the vet are a good source for answers. Nationwide is one of many insurance companies that offer pet insurance plans, and they have over one million insured pets in their database. When they analyzed their data, they were able to figure out the top problems that cause dogs and cats to visit their vets. Below is a breakdown of what they found.

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