Tips for a Fun Road Trip to the Beach with Fido
Here are a few
tips helpful tips to make it fun and safe for you and Fido:
Dog Road Trip Safety:
Don’t let your dog to ride in the front seat on your beach road trip, no matter how much your dog enjoys it. Dogs riding in the front seat can be thrown into the windshield if you have to make a sudden stop. If your dog is like mine they want to ride in the car on your lap, this will interfere with driving or they can fall down by the gas and brake pedals, causing an accident. Airbags can also pose a hazard to dogs if they deploy while they are in the front seats. Keep dogs in the back seats hooked to a Bark-Buckle Up harness or in a crate to keep them and your family secure and safe.
Do not leave your dog alone in the car
even if you only stop for a short break, in the shade, with the windows cracked
and a full water dish. During warm summer temperatures your car can heat up to
uncomfortable or outright dangerous for your dog in just a few minutes. Be sure
and offer plenty of water and rest stops to relive themselves and keep everyone
comfortable on the drive.
Tips for Happy Dogs at the Beach:
1.
Make sure to set up an umbrella or canopy for a shady rest spot and
plenty of fresh water so your dog is not tempted to drink sea water, which can
make your dog car
sick or worse on the way home!
2.
Dogs do sunburn, especially those with short hair, white fur, and pink
skin like my Jack Russell Terrier Zoe. Limit your dog's exposure and
apply sunscreen to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside and
re-apply after swimming just like people should.
3.
Exposure to hot asphalt or sand can burn a dog's paws. You may need to be
prepared to pick your dog up and carry him to protect his tender paws if it
gets too hot.
4.
Dogs can get bitten by sea lice and stung by jellyfish. Check on
local beach conditions to make sure they will be safe for your dog.
5.
Keep an eye on your dog and do not let them get over exuberant in their
excitement running and playing on the beach. Sand is harder to run on
especially for older dogs, be sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t over-exert
or get injured.
6.
Ocean water can damage your dog's fur and coat and make him smell funny
later, so rinse your dog off at the end of the day; this also will help protect
the interior of your car.
7.
Bring some fun toys your dog loves to chase like a ball that will float
or a Frisbee. I never get tired of watching Zoe plays fetch in her oh so
entertaining “Jack Russell” style.
8.
Be careful letting your dog swim in strong tides and know if rip currents
have been reported.
Reminder
ALWAYS clean up
after your dog and do not bury it in the sand. Bring plenty of bags and a scoop
to pick up after your dog’s business!
The beach is
such a fun place to take your dog, and a perfect summertime activity as long as
you make sure you do everything the safe way.
For
more automotive advice and tips visit AskPatty.com.
Photo's by Meredith DeVere.
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| AskPatty® and Certified Female Friendly® are U.S. registered trademarks owned by AskPatty.com, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||
