beach safety for your pets: enjoy our beautiful coastline but keep your best friend safe.

in geraldton, our clients love heading to the beach with their furry friends - however there are hidden risks associated with taking your pet for an ocean visit.

Keeping your pet cool: Once dog's jump out of the car at the beach, they are very excited and likely to run and run until no tomorrow! This can lead to exhaustion, heat stroke and water toxicity if not monitored. If you notice your dog excessively panting or their tongue or gums turning purple it is time to calm them down and providing cooling techniques. Dogs won't tell themselves to stop having fun - so it is up to you to look out for them! Pay particular attention to throwing toys/balls and not allowing this activity to go on excessively.

Car hazards: Luckily in Geraldton, many of our beaches allow you to drive on and enjoy some 4 wheel driving. Unfortunately this is a common opportunity for dogs to run alongside cars and accidentally go under the wheel or be involved in car accidents. If your pet is running alongside a car, please take extra precautions to keep them safe and never perform this with a dog who does not understand car-safety.

Sea Hares: Geraldton is a hot-spot for "sea hares" during certain times of the year - a large, purple, slug-like sea creature that is highly toxic to dogs if ingested, sniffed or licked. They are often found on the shore line, hidden amongst seaweed. The toxins are secreted in the slime of the sea hare and can cause clinical signs of toxicity in your dog within minutes to hours. If you suspect your pet has touched or ingested a sea hare, wipe out their mouth with a damp cloth and seek veterinary attention immediately. Symptoms can include: wobbliness, tremors, seizures, foaming at the mouth and vomiting. Do not delay veterinary treatment!

We hope you enjoy spending time with your pets at the beach, and remember to keep your best mates safe!