My dogs Moose and Lally have never been to the beach. I don’t trust Moose to romp off-leash in an unfenced area; Lally is not a fan of water as it is. My old dog Miko was another story. He loved the beach, and would chase waves as they ebbed and flowed — as long as he didn’t get his feet wet. It was adorable!
If your dog loves the beach — and especially the water — you may have some extra grooming on your hands. If your pup stays dry, sand can more or less be brushed off the coat. If your pup gets wet, you’ve got a bigger mess to deal with.
Salt in the ocean (and other tidal areas) can do a number on your dog’s skin and coat. You know how dry your hair feels after a day at the beach? It can be the same for your dog. Here are some tips to keep your beach dog healthy and well-groomed!
- Rinse your dog after he goes for a swim. This will help get the salt and sand off the skin and coat.
- Brush your dog gently before a bath. Sensitive skin can be irritated if you let the salt dry things out — so you may want to try a rubber-tipped brush instead of a regular wire brush.
- You may want to bathe your dog more frequently during the beach months. Use a soothing, hydrating shampoo (maybe something with oatmeal) to ease the itchiness that often comes with dry skin.
- Use tepid or cool — not hot — water for baths and rinses. This will help soothe the skin.
- Don’t scrub vigorously if you’re bathing your beach pup — use a gentle massaging motion instead.
Don’t forget that dogs can get sunburn, too! You can apply sunscreen to any areas where the fur is thin — like on the nose and snout, ears, and belly.