Outdoor and beaches
What hidden dangers do beaches have for dogs?
More than most owners think. The obvious ones are heatstroke, jellyfish and broken glass. The serious ones that get missed are blue-green algae in beach lakes and still water at the tide line, which is toxic and fast-moving; palm oil washed up on UK beaches, which dogs eat and which causes acute illness; sand impaction from dogs that dig and eat obsessively; and saltwater toxicity in dogs that drink seawater repeatedly.
Blue-green algae
Blue-green algae, technically a cyanobacteria, blooms in warm still water, including rock pools, beach lakes, and the still water at the margins of tidal inlets. Dogs are attracted to the water and drink from it. Ingestion can cause liver failure within hours. The algae is not always visibly blue-green; it can look like green paint, foam, or scum at the water's edge. If there is a bloom warning for a beach or nearby lake, keep your dog out of the water entirely. If your dog swims in any suspicious still water and shows symptoms, vets urgently.
Palm oil
Palm oil washes up on UK beaches, particularly on the west coast, as white or cream-coloured waxy lumps that look like lard or candle wax. It is a ballast-dumping byproduct from cargo ships. Dogs find it irresistible and eat it enthusiastically. Ingestion causes vomiting, diarrhoea, pancreatitis, and in larger quantities can be fatal. If your dog eats something waxy and white on a UK beach, call a vet. The beaches where it appears most regularly include parts of the Welsh coast and Cornwall.
Sand impaction and saltwater
Dogs that dig in sand and eat it, which is a common and often harmless behaviour, can ingest enough sand to cause a gastrointestinal impaction that requires veterinary intervention. It is rare but serious. Saltwater toxicity is more common. A dog that swims repeatedly and drinks seawater to stay hydrated is ingesting sodium at a rate that can cause neurological symptoms, seizures, and in extreme cases death. Bring fresh water to the beach, offer it frequently, and watch for signs of disorientation or weakness.
Jellyfish and other hazards
Jellyfish stings affect dogs as they affect people, but dogs are more likely to eat jellyfish washed up on the beach, which can cause oral irritation, vomiting and in rare cases more serious reactions. Lions mane jellyfish, which appear on UK beaches, carry a particularly nasty sting. Weever fish buried in shallow sand, broken glass near beach bars, fishing hooks in rockpools, and hot sand causing pad burns complete the picture. Most of these are manageable with awareness. The serious ones are the ones you do not see coming.