Just like a bad sunburn can ruin a human’s time at the beach, dogs are also susceptible to feeling the burn. Pack a bottle of Emmy's Best Pet Products Sun Skin Protector to spritz on your dog’s coat and apply Lucky Pup Sunscreen Dog Balm to their nose to prevent cracking. If your pup isn’t a fan of spray, wipe her down with Petkin SPF 15 Doggy Sun Wipes instead. Napping in the sand can be a hot prospect, so don’t forget to bring an elevated dog bed to provide a cool breeze underneath and a canopy attachment to provide shade from above. Protect yourself from the sun with a BringFido baseball cap and check out the Springer Sling Bag + Leash to keep all your essentials in one place, allowing your hands to stay free for shell hunting during your next visit to the beach. For more must-have beach items, pick your pup’s favorites from this selection before you set off.

From windswept beaches along the Oregon Coast to sun-splashed spots off the A1A in Florida, there’s a beach to suit every pack’s needs this summer. If you want to try something new and go surfing with your dog, book a lesson with Good Kharma Surf Instruction on California’s Huntington Beach or Outer Banks Surf School in Nags Head, NC. For an all-inclusive pet-friendly stay with private beaches to explore, reserve a stay at TradeWinds Island Grand in St. Pete Beach, FL. Foodies can plan a trip around beachfront restaurants with views across the sand, while campers can arrange their fun around an epic campsite in the sun. Wherever you decide to go on vacation, read the rules and regulations first, especially if you’re visiting during the peak season of May through September. Not sure where to go? Check out our dog-friendly beach recommendations on the East, West and Gulf Coasts.

Fido isn’t the only one thinking about going to the beach this summer. Be sure to reserve an oceanfront hotel or vacation rental in his favorite beach town well in advance of any planned trip. You can avoid any surprises at check-in with BringFido’s Pet Friendly Guarantee, our promise that you and your pet(s) will be accommodated in a pet-friendly room when the hotel booking is made with BringFido, and the pet fee charged by the hotel will not exceed the amount quoted on your BringFido reservation confirmation.

Your furry best friend’s safety is paramount when you visit the beach. Pack a canine first aid kit in case she steps on a sharp rock or needs patching up on the go. If your dog starts acting nauseous and you know sun isn’t an issue, she may have swallowed too much salt water. One simple remedy for an upset stomach is low-sodium chicken broth, which calms an upset tummy and aids in recovery. Freeze broth cubes for your cooler with these Bake & Freeze Treat Makers.

Jellyfish stings can be painful for humans and dogs alike. If your dog is stung, be sure to remove any stingers with a towel, but never use your bare hands. Use seawater rather than fresh water to clean the wound, or ammonia diluted with water. You'll also want to contact your vet to let them know what happened. If your pup's symptoms like difficulty breathing, muscle spasms, swelling and vomiting worsen, take your pet directly to a local vet or emergency care facility.

Don’t assume that just because your dog can paddle she’s a strong enough swimmer to handle the ocean. Consider protecting her from strong tides and rough surf with a dog life vest and never leave her unattended around water. Practice letting her splash in the shallows before swimming out to fetch a beach ball.

Always keep Fido off hot sand, asphalt and concrete. Not only will he burn his paws, but contact with hot surfaces may also lead to overheating. Look for the following warning signs when you’re out walking together on the beach:

• Limping or avoiding walking.
• Licking or chewing his feet.
• Paw pads are darker than usual and show visible damage.

To avoid hot paws, opt for walks on wet sand, buy your dog some protective booties or venture out at cooler times of the day.

Surprisingly, there are people out there who don’t love dogs as much as the BringFido community. One way we can make sure they also have fun on the beach is to keep an eye on Fido, leash him when required, and keep him away from other beach dwellers. If you do let him wander, pack Bocce's Bakery Soft & Chewy Treats to tempt him back if he strays too far. Just as you need to clean up after yourself on the beach, Fido's mess cannot be left behind. Although many dog-friendly beaches have pet waste stations on site, take your own bags just in case.

Some pups aren’t content with catching rays all day. Luckily for them, the beach can be transformed into a playground pretty easily, as long as you bring plenty of toys.

The Slobbermelon Fetch Toy may look just like a refreshing watermelon, but it’s actually a disc toy that can be launched across the sand. For more fun playing fetch, check out the Chuckit! Zipflight, Bumper or Flying Squirrel which all float in water. Pups who are only interested in tennis balls can run after these Chuckit! balls that float in water, too. Or, keep the beach theme going with a Clean Earth Plush Stingray, Seahorse, Turtle or Lobster, all made from recycled bottles, for him to chew while the pack is chilling on the sand.

Water is another beach essential. Keeping your parched pup hydrated at the beach helps prevent heat stroke and exhaustion. Along with a filled-up Dog & Me Stainless Steel Bottle Set, bring along a Messy Mutts Travel Water Dispenser, which clips conveniently onto Fido’s travel bag and makes it easier for dogs to lap up water on the beach. Or, check out the Springer Growler Dog Water Bottle designed for your dog to drink from the attached bowl without wasting a drop.

Sometimes dogs look cleaner when they leave the beach than when they arrive, but as your car seats will tell you, this is only an illusion. Fur has a unique way of gathering sand, bits of seaweed and other unwanted souvenirs which can irritate a dog’s skin. Rinse off all that beach grime and grit before you leave. Some beaches offer dog wash stations, like the self-service Mutt Jackson Dog Wash Stations at Chicago’s Montrose Dog Beach. For beaches that don’t, clean paws on the go with a Dexas MudBuster. Just add a drop of water, insert Fido’s grubby paws, twist and let the bristles do the hard work. Bring along a Messy Mutts Ultra Soft Microfiber Towel which attracts dirt and sand and holds seven times its weight in water, so Fido can end his day feeling fresh and dry.