Dog Friendly UK Beach Guide 2025

The Pawfect Beach Day: The Ultimate Dog-Friendly UK Beach Guide 2025

Plan a safe and fun day out with your dog, discover pet-friendly beaches, top safety tips and how to handle emergencies.

Our comprehensive guide to dog-friendly beaches

There’s nothing better than a day at the beach with your dog – but not all beaches are pet-friendly all year-round, and the seaside comes with hidden hazards for our four-legged friends.

That’s why Vets Now and HomeToGo have partnered to bring you ‘The Pawfect Beach Day’, a comprehensive guide to dog-friendly beaches and essential safety advice for our vets to ensure your pup stays happy and healthy by the coast.

As the world’s largest vacation rental search engine, HomeToGo makes it easy to find the perfect pet-friendly stay, while Vets Now, the UK’s leading provider of emergency veterinary care, ensures pet owners have the knowledge and support they need to keep their dogs safe by the sea.

Whether you’re looking for the best beaches to visit, expert guidance on avoiding common seaside dangers like heatstroke, saltwater poisoning, and jellyfish stings, or emergency advice if something goes wrong, we’ve got you covered! Plus, with our interactive dog-friendly beach map, powered by HomeToGo, you can easily find the perfect coastal spot for your next adventure.

Before you head to the beach, explore our vet-approved safety tips, real pet owner stories, and our quick-reference beach safety checklist. And if your dog ever needs urgent care while you’re out and about, you can reach a 24/7 online vet through PawSquad for immediate advice.

Vets Now veterinary professional Harriet Robinson smiling while holding a brown spaniel dog

‘I’m a vet, and here are my top tips for keeping dogs safe at the beach’

Emergency vet Harriet Robinson shares her advice to ensure your dog has a fun and safe beach day.

Top tips for a safe beach day

✅ Check tide times to avoid being stranded or caught in rising water
✅ Rinse your dog after the beach to remove salt, sand, and bacteria
✅ Use dog-safe sunscreen on ears and exposed skin
✅ Keep your dog in the shade and provide plenty of fresh water
✅ Watch out for palm oil – this can wash up on UK shores and cause severe stomach issues

 
Beach checklist: before you go

✅ Fresh water & bowl
✅ Dog-friendly suncream
✅ Shade (umbrella or tent)
✅ Lead & collar with ID tag
✅ Floating toys (avoid sandy ones)
✅ Dog first-aid kit
✅ Dog life vest (if swimming)

Emergency advice – what to do if your dog needs help

Illustrated graphic reading

Read our pet stories and how pet owners found themselves in trouble during a day at the beach