West Wittering named in top 50 dog-friendly beaches

Vets Now, the country’s leading pet emergency service, unveiled its top 50 dog-friendly beaches ‘to ensure the nation of pet lovers stay pet safe’. West Wittering got the expert seal of approval for its five-star water quality.

Laura Playforth, professional standards director at Vets Now and one of the authors of the Best Beach Guide, said: “The team were really impressed with West Wittering, especially its pet friendliness and facilities on offer, and believe it to be an ideal destination for the UK’s dog lovers. Unfortunately, pet emergencies don’t take holidays and each summer we witness a significant rise in emergency cases that are related to beaches and the sea.

“We’ve only chosen beaches where: water quality is deemed high, dogs are welcome all year round, parking and access is good and a daytime vet is based nearby.

“All those featured are within an hour’s drive of a Vets Now pet emergency clinic or hospital so, if you’re at the beach in the evening or weekend and suffer a pet emergency, you know you’re never far from expert help.”

Vets Now also revealed 13 top tips for keeping your dog safe at the beach.

Laura continued: “Don’t be fooled by cool coastal breezes, temperatures on beaches often soar, and you can be caught off guard, even at the end of summer. Be sure to provide a shaded area for your dog and give them plenty of fresh water.

“It can take just 15 minutes for a dog to die from a heat-related illness so never leave them in a sun trap or in a car for a nap – even with the windows down, it does little to affect the heat. Sadly this is an all-too common mistake which we see time and time again.

“If your dog is not used to swimming then the sea is not the place to start. Be careful of strong tides and rolling waves and make sure your dog doesn’t venture too far out.

“Waves and currents can quickly exhaust dogs. Also stop them lapping up sea water — the salt, bacteria and parasites in the water can make them sick.

“And keep a close eye on your dog if there’s likely to be jellyfish. Often lurking in shallow water or washed up on the beach, these troublesome creatures can cause a nasty sting and we’ve had to treat many an affected dog.”

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