Vet cautions pet owners on dangers of letting dogs drink seawater at the beach

Whilst we might be happy that the weather is set to get warmer over the bank holiday weekend, dog owners need to take extra care that their pooch is happy and healthy as the sun comes out.

You may be tempted to head to the beach to make the most of the weather, but experts have shared that there are a few things that need to be at the forefront of your mind to ensure your four-legged friend is safe whilst you're making memories together.

For example, you may think it's completely harmless for your dog to drink seawater as they're splashing around in the sea, but it can have seriously harmful consequences.

You need to make sure that your pooch doesn't drink seawater whilst you're out having fun (Getty Images/EyeEm)

Head vet at tails.com Sean McCormack has shared that consuming seawater can result in harmful side effects such as diarrhoea and vomiting and in extreme cases can lead to seizures and even death.

He explained: "Seawater contains a high balance of salt, approximately 35 grams of salt in every 1 litre. If your dog drinks too much it can quickly become dehydrated, and symptoms can worsen if your dog isn't provided with fresh drinking water.

"Even if you keep a watchful eye over your furry companion during your visit to the beach, it can be challenging to tell if they have been drinking seawater whilst splashing about, taking a dip and playing fetch in the water.

"The high levels of sodium chloride (salt) in the seawater can disrupt the fluid balance in your dog's body, drawing water from the blood into your dog's intestines. If your dog has ingested too much seawater, it can start to display the following symptoms:

• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy
• Convulsions
• Increased heart rate
• Instability, loss of coordination
• Loss of appetite
• Excessive thirst or urination
• Tremors
• Seizures

You need to ensure that your dog has fresh water so they can stay hydrated (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"If you recognise these signs within your pup during your trip to the beach, you need to get them to the vet as soon as possible. If left untreated they could suffer serious kidney damage, brain damage and rapid dehydration which could prove fatal."

He suggested taking a dog bowl and fresh water for your dog to drink to mitigate any thirstiness as dogs will "drink almost anything."

Sean also recommends "limiting beach outings to two hours" for their safety.

Got a story about dogs? Email: danielle.wroe@reachplc.com