In this packing list, I’m breaking down the 8 essential items to bring in your dog beach bag! Make spending a day at the beach a breeze for you and your pup.
Most dogs love the beach and it can be a great way to spend the day outdoors with your dog that isn’t in a city or on a trail. Our dog, Kirby, is a water dog through and through and absolutely loves Lake Michigan. If you are planning a trip to Michigan, definitely check out some of the best dog friendly beaches in the state.
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1. dog life jacket
Kirby loves his life jacket. Ours is an older version of this RuffWear one and we love it because it is well made and has a handle. We’ve used this handle several times when Kirby decided to jump out of a boat once!
2. microfiber towels
The last thing you want is a soaking wet dog in your car. We personally love these Wise Owl microfiber towels because they come in a variety of colors and sizes, and you get a hand towel and a bag to go with it. They are lightweight, easy to pack, and dry very fast. Human approved as well!
3. floating dog toys
Going in line with the life jacket, we really like the quality of RUFFWEAR. Plus the perfectionist in me loves that you can buy toys in the same color.
4. Dog Bowls
Make sure to bring your own water and water bowls. You definitely don’t want your dog to get dehydrated. We love these because they are collapsible and can hook onto your bag or purse.
5. Snacks
It’s a good idea to bring a few treats with you. Your dog will be burning a lot of energy and may work up an appetite. We really like this trail mix back because it has a variety of different treats all in one bag.
Disclaimer: Always check with your vet before you feed your dog anything new. I do not know your dog or what allergies they may have.
6. dog booties
If you are planning a longer walk in the sand or if it’s a particularly hot day. It’s a good idea to pack some dog booties. I talk a lot about dog shoes in other posts, so I feel like a broken record, but it really is important to protect your dog’s feet.
We really like these booties because they stay on our dog’s skinny golden-doodle feet and have two velcro straps that stay secured.
7. first aid kit
Hopefully you won’t have to use it, but it’s always nice to have a first aid kit in your car in case your dog gets a cut or hurts themselves.
This one is a more compact one, but there are others with a more extensive list of items included. You can also make your own.
8. Beach towel
Last but not least item for your dog beach bag is to get your dog their own beach towel or they will steal yours (trust me). Getting your dog their own towel gives them an area for you to have them “place” on. In a situation where you want them to stay down or if they are tuckered out, a designated spot can be great. Plus, as they dry, they aren’t laying down in sand. I can’t guarantee that there won’t be any sand in your car, but it does seem to help!
Plus, you can get them a super cute one with pineapples on it like this one 🙂
Need more travel accessories for your dog? Check out how I pack my dog’s travel backpack!