There are two versions of my beach bag.
The first is the beautifully optimistic one: sunscreen, sunglasses, headphones, a good book and maybe something cold to drink.
The second is what actually happens when the dog is coming too.
Suddenly there’s a water bottle, collapsible bowl, treats, a towel, paw balm, a lead, another towel because the first one is apparently for the dog, and approximately half the beach somehow comes home with us.
Still, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
So, after more dog-friendly beach days than I can count, these are the things that have earned a permanent place in my bag - plus a few little beach tricks I’ve picked up along the way.
Bark + Barly Paw Balm
Beach days can be surprisingly hard on paws. Hot sand, salt water, rocks and miles of running backwards and forwards because somebody has decided the seagulls need policing.
And here’s one summer rule worth remembering: if you’re not sure whether the sand is too hot, put the palm of your hand against it for around seven seconds. If you can’t comfortably keep it there, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. The same trick works for pavement before a summer walk. (PetMD)
It’s such a simple check, but an important one. Sand and pavement can become considerably hotter than the surrounding air, and paw pads can burn.
I also keep Bark + Barly Paw Balm in my beach bag. After the beach, I’ll rinse the sand and salt from their paws with fresh water, dry them properly and check between the toes. If the pads are feeling dry or rough, I’ll work in a little balm.
It’s lick-safe, fragrance-free and made without irritating essential oils, which is useful because applying something to a dog’s paws without them immediately licking it remains one of life’s great unsolved problems.
Sunscreen for me. Paw balm for them.
A Huge Bottle of Fresh Water
I used to bring enough water for myself and assume we’d share.
Rookie mistake.
Now the biggest bottle in my bag belongs to the dog, and I offer water regularly rather than waiting for them to look thirsty.
That’s particularly important at the beach because seawater absolutely does not count as hydration. A few accidental mouthfuls while swimming can happen, but drinking larger amounts of salt water can cause vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration and, in serious cases, salt poisoning. (American Kennel Club)
A useful trick with dogs that insist on sampling the ocean is simply to offer fresh water frequently. If they’re already well hydrated, there’s less temptation to start treating the Pacific like an enormous water bowl.
A collapsible bowl weighs almost nothing and has become one of those things I now wonder how I ever travelled without.
A Proper Dog Towel
Not a beautiful beach towel. A dog towel.
There is an important distinction.
This is the towel that’s allowed to become wet, sandy and completely disgusting within the first fifteen minutes. It gets used for wet paws, sandy faces, car-seat protection and the inevitable moment when a freshly swimming dog decides to shake directly beside you.
But here’s the useful bit: keep a little fresh water for the end of the day.
Before getting back into the car, rinse their paws with fresh water, paying particular attention between the toes, then dry them properly. It helps remove the salt and sand that’s otherwise coming home wedged between their pads.
It’s also the perfect time for a quick paw check before applying balm if their pads need it.
The Least Sandy Toy I Can Find
A tennis ball seems like the obvious beach toy until you’ve watched your dog turn one into a breadcrumbed ball of sand.
There’s actually a reason to avoid that beyond the mess. Dogs can accidentally swallow sand while repeatedly picking up sandy toys, and ingesting enough of it can cause an intestinal blockage known as sand impaction. (American Kennel Club)
So I’ve swapped the fuzzy tennis ball for toys that don’t collect quite as much sand. A smooth rubber ball or flying disc is much easier to rinse off between throws.
If your dog’s toy starts looking like it’s been rolled in breadcrumbs, give it a rinse.
Plus, nothing says relaxing beach afternoon quite like throwing the same object 87 times.
Something for Shade
This one doesn’t technically fit in my beach bag, but it belongs on the list anyway.
An umbrella, little beach tent or any reliable patch of shade makes a huge difference, particularly if you’re planning on staying for a few hours.
Dogs can overheat surprisingly quickly, and beach days combine sunshine, exercise and hot sand. Early mornings and late afternoons are usually my favorite time to go anyway — cooler sand, fewer people and much better light.
And don’t assume getting into the water means your dog can’t overheat. Swimming is still exercise.
Shade, fresh water and enforced little breaks are your friends.
Treats. Obviously.
I have learned that almost every minor inconvenience is easier to negotiate when you have treats.
Getting out of the car? Treat.
Coming back when called despite the existence of a seagull? Definitely treat.
Sitting nicely while I rinse and check four sandy paws instead of immediately sprinting back into the ocean? Possibly several treats.
A small bag of their favorites takes up almost no room and earns its place approximately five minutes after arriving.
And One Thing I Don’t Pack…
A schedule.
The best beach days with a dog are usually the ones where you don’t try too hard.
Find somewhere dog-friendly. Get there before it becomes unbearably hot. Check the sand with your hand. Put your phone away. Throw the ball. Get your feet wet. Let them dig an unnecessarily enormous hole.
Then find somewhere shady and do absolutely nothing for a while.
My beach bag might be considerably fuller these days, but I think the company has improved.
So what’s actually inside?
Sunscreen. Sunglasses. Headphones. Water. A towel. A toy. Treats. Bark + Barly Paw Balm.
And by the end of the day, an extraordinary amount of sand.
