Dog Beach Safety

Salt water – Always provide fresh drinking water for your pup and discourage them from drinking any salt water. A little bit of saltwater can cause your dog to have diarrhea. Large amounts can cause a potentially fatal chemical imbalance in your dog’s body.

Hot Sand – The dangers of hot asphalt are discussed every summer but sand can also get blisteringly hot in the Florida sun. Wear shoes or time your beach visit outside of mid-day.

Currents/Shipping Channels – Some of our dog beaches are located next to natural land formations or manmade channels that create a quick current along the beach. Pets and people can get swept away from the shoreline in minutes. Be familiar with current safety and consider a lifejacket for you and your pet.

Oyster beds – Our shorelines are home to many Eastern Oyster who make their beds in the same mangrove channels we like to play in. Their shells can cause deep lacerations on unsuspecting paws and feet. Water shoes may provide some protection and are available for both you and your pup, but oyster beds should be avoided whether you have shoes or not.

Old fishing tackle, trash and food – Humans are responsible for some of the most common beach hazards. It’s always a good practice to visually scan and clear any litter you find on the beach.

Algal Blooms – In Florida, “red tide” events occur almost annually with unpredictable severity. The main organism responsible for these events, Karenia brevis, can cause respiratory distress in individuals that inhale it. Eating or playing with wildlife that has died from red tide events can cause your dog to get very sick. Pinellas County’s year-round red tide status can be checked on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website here.