Some of us go out to sea during the holidays, and the question arises whether to take our dog with us or leave it at home. One aspect in deciding may be the question of whether the sea is okay for dogs. Will the salt damage your dog's coat, or is this an unnecessary concern?
If you go out to sea and take your dog with you, you will need to plan, think and anticipate to make sure that your vacation goes smoothly for all members of the trip. Some people may worry about what the sea water will do to their dog. Will it dry out the dog's skin, can it harm him?
If you have similar thoughts, you don't have to worry. Sea water is just as beneficial for dogs as it is for us. That is, if we're reasonable and don't let our dog swim all day on a hot day. Moderation is key.
If you're planning to spend your entire vacation on the beach, you might want to think again about whether this holiday is appropriate for your dog. Spending all day in the sun isn't the best for your dog. If you do go together, you may notice that your dog's coat is beginning to lose its shine and his skin is dry and scaly. Sensitive dogs may also experience hair breakage and loss.
Some breeds tolerate water (not only the sea) better, respectively their fur is better adapted to stay in it. Because their coat is naturally greasy, it better resists the absorption of salt water and also helps keep the skin moisturized, preventing scaling. Such breeds include the Labrador, the Portuguese Water Dog, and the Irish Water Spaniel.
On the other hand, dogs with a double coat have the biggest issues with salty water. They are prone to humidity, because the water stays between their thick inner coat and their outer softer coat. Bacteria also multiply easily in such humid environments. This is true for the Husky or Akita.
We should also be more careful with dogs with fine hair, as well as hairless dogs or dogs with very little hair. They also need more care so that the combination of sun and salt water does not damage their skin.
Whatever the dog's coat, here are some measures to keep their skin healthy. After bathing in the sea, give your dog a proper shower from the ends of its fur to its skin. Keep him in the shade as much as possible; in addition to preventing overheating, this will also prevent their fur from drying out. Allow your dog to dry before loading it in the car, locking it in a crate, or before he goes somewhere where his wet fur won't trap moisture. For sensitive dogs, use sunscreen products. Your veterinarian can recommend appropriate sun protection, or you can buy dog clothing with UV protection.
As a first aid, pack a soothing shampoo that will help if your dog starts to itch or turn red in response to salt water. You could start adding salmon oil to your dog's food before the trip, which will help keep his coat and skin healthy and nourished.
I hope you enjoy a smooth, trouble-free seaside holiday with your four-legged friends.
This summer, same as last year, favoured domestic travels thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. And while for holidays abroad pet owners arranged dog sitting, here in Czech they learnt to take them along. This group of dog owners was targeted by...
Crates or transport boxes provide your pet with safety and comfort not only during car journeys. You can see them more and more often in households with dogs. What can be the reasons for buying a crate for a dog living in a flat? What doesn't belong...
Recent estimates indicate that every third dog in the world is homeless. Some estimates go even further and state that it's half of all dogs. It is a relatively high number but the situation varies in different continents. This is one of the reasons...
The world of technology does not forget pets and their care. Now, developers have come up with a new app that will help you recognize your cat’s mood.
Many of us are under the influence of the need to fulfill a dream of getting an unconventional pet, which the minipig certainly is. This trend has been present in the Czech Republic for about ten years. But don’t be fooled by those cute snouts, taking...
Pseudogravidity, also known as false pregnancy. The condition in which the female dog’s body is preparing for giving birth, even though the dog is not pregnant. False pregnancy occurs after heat and can last up to several months. What causes it, how...
Summer is a time of joy. The warm weather encourages trips and having fun in the water. However, summer may not be as great for our dogs as it may seem. We fur may sometimes do more harm than good. How to take care of wet fur and how to prevent any...
Cats scratch, everybody knows that. But have you ever wondered why that is? If you have a feline companion at home, you might have thought it would be a good idea to break her habit of scratching. Especially if your cat has ruined your furniture with...
Some love it, some hardly tolerate it. We are, of course, talking about summer and the hot weather that comes with it. Hot weather can become rather unpleasant for our canine companions. While cats usually tolerate heat without any major problems,...
Pet owners know that summer doesn't only bring warmth, sunshine and late sunsets. It's also the time of ticks, who know how to torment our four-legged friends. Unfortunately, it's very difficult, or even almost impossible, to prevent our pet from...
The summer season calls for hair cuts. And not only yours but also your pets'. But a shorter coat doesn't always mean lower body temperature. On the contrary, sometimes it could be the other way round. How and when to clip our four-legged friends'...
The fact that our mental well-being benefits from the presence of animals - namely dogs - has been mentioned here several times. Canis therapy is a highly effective therapeutic process where, to a certain degree, a dog interacts with a patient or...
