Keeping Your Dog Safe on Our Beautiful Beaches

Pet safety whilst visiting the beach - What do you need to know?

1. Local Rules & Wildlife Protection

• Victorian councils enforce zones: off-leash, time-restricted, on-leash, and no-dog areas. Always check signage and respect wildlife zones, especially during wildlife nesting seasons.
• Snakebite risk: Coastal dunes and grassy areas can harbour venomous snakes. Symptoms include sudden weakness, vomiting, paralysis.

 Action: Keep dogs on-leash near vegetation, avoid tall grass, and seek immediate veterinary care if bitten.

2. Saltwater & Sand Hazards

• Salt toxicity: Drinking seawater can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and coma.

 Prevent by: Bringing fresh water and rinsing dogs after swimming.

• Sand impaction: Dogs licking or eating sand risk intestinal blockages.

 Prevent by: Monitoring play and discouraging sand ingestion.

3. Heat, Sun & Surface Risks

• Heatstroke: High temperatures can lead to collapse or worse.
• Sunburn: Thin-coated and pale skinned dogs can burn on noses, ears, and bellies.
• Burned paws: Hot sand can scorch paw pads.

 Protect by: Visiting early/late, using shade, pet-safe sunscreen, and testing sand temperature.

4. Marine & Environmental Hazards

• Jellyfish & Bluebottles: Stings cause pain and swelling.

 First-aid: Rinse with seawater, remove tentacles, apply vinegar (for box jellyfish) or heat packs (for bluebottles), and consult a vet.

• Sea hares: Toxic if ingested - can cause seizures and death.
• Toxic algal blooms: Avoid stagnant green water; can cause liver failure and death.
• Pufferfish toxicity: Washed-up pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, which is deadly even in small amounts. Symptoms: drooling, vomiting, paralysis, seizures.
• Decaying material: Rotting animal or plant material can contain bacteria and mould toxins that can create severe illness in our pets

 Action: Prevent dogs from sniffing or eating dead fish on the beach.

5. Currents, Tides & Physical Hazards

• Rip currents & waves: Dogs can easily be swept away - even close to shore. 

 Safe practice: Stick to shallow areas, use dog life jackets, and supervise closely.

• Shells, hooks & debris: Sharp waste can cut paws or be ingested.

 Care: Scan the beach and clean paws after.

6. First-Aid & Emergency Readiness

• Pack essentials: Fresh water, shade, pet-safe sunscreen, towels, first-aid kit.

Emergency tips:

• Snakebite: Keep dog calm, immobilise, and rush to vet.
• Pufferfish ingestion: Immediate veterinary care - do not wait for symptoms.
• Jellyfish sting: Rinse, remove tentacles, apply vinegar or heat packs, and seek vet help.
• Recall training: Teach “leave it” and reliable recall to prevent ingestion of hazards.

If your pet shows any signs of illness of distress after a visit to the beach - don't wait - contact your closest GVG clinic immediately. Click here for contact details for all of our locations. Call any of our clinics after hours to access veterinary advice and/or treatment.