Caring for dog paws after a beach day
A day at the beach is great fun, but sand, salt water and hot ground can leave paws dry and sore. This guide covers what to do before you go, how to rinse and dry properly, and what to check between the toes.
What a beach day does to paws
Dogs run, dig and splash for hours at the beach, and their paws do a lot of work. Dry sand can be rough and abrasive. Salt water can leave pads feeling dry and tight once it dries. Shells, rocks, driftwood and sticks can catch a paw, and sand packs into the spaces between the toes, where it can rub.
Most dogs come home happy and perfectly fine. A little care afterwards helps keep their paws comfortable and helps you spot small problems early.
Before you go
Sand in the sun can get very hot, especially the dry, dark patches above the waterline. Use the back-of-hand test: press your bare hand on the sand and see whether you can comfortably keep it there. Wet sand near the water is usually cooler than dry sand higher up the beach.
- Pick the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or the evening.
- Take shade, such as an umbrella or tarp, so your dog has somewhere to rest.
- Bring fresh water to drink and a bottle or container for rinsing paws.
- Pack a towel just for your dog.
- Look at the beach rules, because some beaches have dog-free areas or times.
Rinse off the salt and sand
As soon as you can after leaving the water, rinse your dog's paws with fresh water. A tap at the beach shower, a hose at home or a bottle of water at the car all work. Let the water run over each paw and between the toes so that sand and salt wash out.
Be gentle. You don't need soap for a normal rinse, and you shouldn't scrub the pads. Gently spread the toes with your fingers so the water can reach the gaps. If your dog doesn't enjoy it, keep sessions calm and short, and reward them with a snack or a pat.
Dry properly
Drying matters as much as rinsing. Pat each paw with a clean towel and make sure you dry between the toes and around the base of the nails. Skin that stays damp can feel soft and be more easily irritated, and leftover sand holds on to moisture.
Dogs with a lot of fur between their toes need extra attention, because that fur holds water and sand. If you are comfortable doing it, keep it neatly trimmed, or ask your groomer to do it.
Check between the toes
With clean, dry paws, take a minute to look over each one. Check for:
- small cuts or scratches on the pads or between the toes
- grass seeds, burrs or bits of shell caught in the fur
- redness, swelling or a pad that looks different from the others
- a split or torn nail
- anything your dog keeps licking or chewing at
Don't try to dig out anything that is stuck deep. Grass seeds in particular can be a problem in Australia and may need a vet to remove them.
Moisturise once paws are clean and dry
Once the paws are rinsed, dry and checked, a thin layer of balm can help keep pads moisturised after a salty, sandy day. Pawlm is a lick-safe balm handmade in Townsville from just four ingredients: beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil and vitamin E. Warm a little between your fingertips, work it gently into each pad and between the toes, and give your dog a few minutes to settle before heading off again.
If your dog has an allergy to any of those ingredients, check with your vet before using it.
Let paws rest
After a big day, give paws a quiet evening. Skip hot footpaths on the way home from the car if you can, and let your dog rest on a soft surface. If your dog is still licking its paws a lot later on, look again to see whether something was missed.
When to see a vet
See your vet for cuts, limping, swelling, bleeding or a paw your dog won't put weight on. The same goes for anything that doesn't improve after rest and gentle care, or if your dog seems unwell after a hot day at the beach. Never wait on a deep cut or something lodged in the skin.
For more on keeping pads comfortable between outings, read our guide to dry and cracked dog paws, and see protecting dog paws on hot pavement for the walk to and from the beach.