11 Dog Beach Essentials for the Ultimate, Pup-Friendly Beach Day

Your dog will need to hydrate throughout your day at the beach, often needing even more water than usual to account for the heat and physical activity.  

A portable dog travel bowl makes this easy. Many are collapsible for easier packing—like the Bonza Collapsible Silicone D

You could also try the Springer Travel Dog Bottle, which has a leak-proof valve and serves as a water bottle and dog bowl in one.  

Yep, dogs need to wear sunscreen too!  

Believe it or not, one of the greatest dangers facing your dog on their beach day is the sun via dehydration and UV exposure. The former is covered by water and dog bowls, but make sure you have specially formulated dog sunscreen as well.   

One of our favorites is the Epi-Pet Sun Protector Skin Treatment Spray, a non-greasy formula that allows you to spray in all angles.  

If you prefer a lotion formula, try the Lucky Pup SPF40 Lotion Dog Cream Sunscreen. This natural, no-lick formula moisturizes while protecting with an SPF 40.  

When your pup’s gotta go, they gotta go—and no beach guest minding their own business wants a sandy poop disaster to ruin their fun in the sun.  

Frisco’s Dog Poop Bag Dispenser & Poop Bag Roll is discreet and convenient to use, or you can buy poop bags in bulk and bring a few to use as needed during your splashy getaway.  

The Earth Rated Dog Poop Bags are a popular choice, because they’re extra–long, extra–strong, leak-proof, and made from 65% certified post-consumer recycled plastic. 

Even if your dog is an excellent swimmer, the ocean current can be unpredictable, so it’s always best to play it safe.  

Putting your pup in a dog life jacket is an extra precaution that provides peace of mind—and it also makes for some pretty adorable photo opps.  

Outward Hound’s Neoprene Dawson Swimmer Dog Life Jacket is bright red so it’s easy to track your pup. It has a float front so they stay above water and comes in sizes XS–XL.  

If you want to have some cheeky fun, opt for Frisco’s Shark Dog Life Jacket. 

A dog first aid kit has you covered in case something goes awry and your pup needs a quick medical fix. From bee stings to getting a cut, these compact kits include everything you need for basic first aid.  

Some highly reviewed options include the Adventure Medical Kits Adventure Dog Series Trail Dog First Aid Kit for Dogs and Kurgo RSG First Aid Kit for Dogs, which are both comprehensive options under $30.   

With water, safety, and poop covered, we can officially get to the fun stuff with some dog beach accessories!   

First up, water toys that level up all your ocean playtime. Chuckit!’s Paraflight Flyer is designed with your pup’s teeth in mind because the flying disc is soft and it also floats, so it’s not as likely to get lost in the ocean.  

Another fun water toy for dogs is the Chuckit! Bucket Fetch Dog Toy, which includes eight balls that are lightweight, buoyant, and bouncy; and the included bucket makes cleanup a breeze.  

Whether your pup wants to lie by your side while you thumb through a beach novel, or you want to make sure they’re clean and dry before hopping back into the car, a dog beach towel is a must.  

The Sweet Paws Perfect Paws Portable Dog Towel packs away compactly and comes with a carabiner attachment. 

Or you can opt for a larger option like the Frisco Embroidered Bones Microfiber Dog Bath Towel (available in three colors).  

And for an extra effective dry-down, try the Frisco Microfiber Chenille Shammy Towel.  

If you want to keep your dog by your side at the beach for any period of time, a treat-dispensing puzzle feeder is a great way to engage them during downtime.  

The Woof Pupsicle Long Lasting Refillable Dog Treat Dispenser Toy is a convenient, beach-friendly option; it’s small and easy to toss in a beach bag, and freezing the toy ahead of time is a great way to cool your pup down.  

Make sure your pup’s always protected from pests like fleas and ticks. Anytime they’re outdoors, they’re exposed to these critters and can easily bring them back home.

If your dog is not already taking a chewable flea and tick preventive like Simparica Trio, or a topical preventive like Frontline Plus, the Seresto Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs is a good option for beach days because it’s waterproof. Plus, it provides eight months of protection, which has you more than covered for beach season.  

Dogs can run hot on beach days with all that sunshine and running around, so help keep them cool with a cooling vest or bandana. These can be soaked in water to help regulate your fur friend’s body temperature.  

The Canada Pooch Max Chill Cooling Snood Dog Bandana is an easy-to-slip-on option that comes in three sizes. 

Or you can try the Frisco Summer UPF 45 Cooling Dog Vest, which has an added bonus of protecting against UV rays.  

Dog treats are a must for any dog beach essentials checklist. They can help with training and redirection. 

Try Hill’s Natural Training Dog Treats and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Digestive Health Bites. 

Here’s to safe—and fun—trips to the dog beach!