Dogs love the beach just as much (if not more!) as we do. Like humans, dogs appreciate fun and functional beach accessories: water bottles for staying hydrated, beach tents for shade, and fun toys to run around with. We researched an array of doggy beach accessories, pulling from thousands of hours of dog product testing and expertise. Whether it’s a toy that’s fun to play with in the sand or a sunscreen for protecting sensitive snouts, we’ve assembled all you’ll need for some dog days at the beach.

The Chuckit! Paraflight is our very favorite dog frisbee and it’s especially great for the beach because it floats. Made from nylon with a rubber rim, the Paraflight is flexible, but structured enough for long throws that will satisfy even very athletic dogs. It’s also soft enough that your dog will easily be able to hold it in their mouths to bring it back to you.

Best Beach Fetch Toy

Chuckit! Paraflight Frisbee

  • Floats

  • Extremely durable

  • Long range throw

  • Even the small, 7-inch size is a little big for tiny dogs

  • Heavy chewers might dismantle quickly

The Paraflight comes in bright, easily visible colors, including a glowing green version.

Price at time of publish: $12

Sizes: 7-inch (small), 10-inch (large) | Colors: Blue, glowing green | Materials: Nylon, soft rubber

If you’ve brought a cooler of beverages to your latest beach party, a Bark Bros Hound Noon Plush lets them be part of the party. A product parodying High Noon Hard Seltzer, this plush toy is 7 by 2.5 inches, making it beefy plush that’s ready to stand up to hard play, even if your dog isn’t in on the joke. It’s got a built-in squeaker too.

Best Novelty Beach Toy

Bark Bros Hound Noon Plush Squeaky Dog Toys

  • Gift-worthy design

  • Includes a squeaker

  • Comes in a two-pack

  • Sand can stick to fuzzy exterior

The Bark Bros Hound Noon Plush comes in a two-pack. There’s also a “Pup Claw” version

Price at time of publish: $22 (2-pack)

Dimensions: 7 x 2.5 inches Options: “Hound Noon”, “Pup Claw”

This sprayable sunscreen is the only canine sunscreen approved by the FDA. It’s SPF 30, for a high degree of sun protection, and it has a non-greasy, long-lasting formula. The spray bottle emulsifies the liquid inside, which helps the sunscreen get through your dog’s fur to the skin beneath. Providing protection against both UVA and UVB rays, Epi-Pet K-9 Care Sunscreen can help prevent the onset of dangerous skin conditions. It’s also formulated with Vitamin E, to keep your dog’s coat shiny.

Best Sunscreen

Epi-Pet K-9 Care Sunscreen

  • Only FDA-compliant SPF for pets

  • Safe and effective

  • Conditions your dog’s coat

  • Only available in one size

Price at time of publish: $16

Active Ingredients: Ethylhexl Methoxycinnamate, Octyl Salicylate, Homosalate, Benzophenone-3, Alcohol Denaturated, Ethyllhexyl Salicylate, C-12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate | SPF: 30+ | Size: 3.5 ounces

After testing 22 different cooling pet beds, we selected the Yep HHO Outdoor Elevated Pet Canopy Bed as our favorite portable option. An “elevated” style cooling bed, the Yep HHO has a mesh platform similar to a very taut trampoline, which allows for airflow underneath where your dog is lying down, wicking away heat. The frame is sturdy with an extra crossbar for support, but the Yep HHO is also easy to collapse, fold down, and pack away in its included travel bag. What makes this elevated dog bed especially good for the beach is that it also includes a detachable canopy that can provide both shade and protection from the elements.

Best Beach Dog Bed

Yep HHO Outdoor Elevated Pet Canopy Bed

  • Detachable waterproof canopy

  • Comes with carrying case

  • Folds down for easy transport

  • Can be hosed down

  • Platform is breathable mesh

  • Can be a little wobbly unless perfectly level or buried in sand

Price at time of publish: $57 (XL)

Sizes: 42 x 30.3 x 7 inches (medium), 48 x 36 x 43 inches (x-large) | Materials: Alloy steel, Oxford fabric, mesh

This travel water bowl is our favorite travel water bowl—and we’ve tested dozens. The Leashboss Splashless Travel Dog Water Bowl has a jumbo capacity—40 ounces—to hold enough water for a couple of hours of play. It’s made from BPA-free silicone and is dishwasher safe.

Best Travel Water Bowl

Leashboss Splashless Travel Dog Water Bowl

  • Large capacity

  • Mostly spill-proof

  • Dishwasher-safe

  • Not ideal for flat-faced dogs

But what really makes the Leashboss Splashless stand out is its hexagonal design, which creates a stable, non-slip base that’s nearly impossible for your dog to knock over. The top is also narrower than the bottom, with a curtained rim that prevents water from splashing over the side. The only downside is that the design can make it a little tricky for flat-faced breeds or very large dogs to access the water.

Price at time of publish: $20

Volume: 40 ounces | Materials: Silicone | Colors: Gray

The Malispree Dog Water Bottle combines a BPA-free water reservoir with a ladle-shaped bowl. To dispense water from the leak-proof and travel-friendly bottle, all you do is hold down the button on the bottle, then tip it over to dispense water into the bowl. It’s easy to let water back into the reservoir when your dog is done drinking. To ensure that water doesn’t accidentally spill in your travel bag, there’s a second button next to the dispense button that’s used to “lock” the water bottle from pouring.

Best Water Bottle

MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle

  • Designed for easy hydration

  • Leak-proof

  • BPA-free

  • Not dishwasher safe

The Malispree Dog Water Bottle is available in two sizes—19oz. and 12oz.—and in your choice of teal or pink.

Price at time of publish: $19

Volume: 12 ounces or 19 ounces | Materials: Plastic | Colors: Blue, pink

The Thankspaw Microfiber Pet Towel is made specifically for dogs and is made from microfiber for a superior absorbency and drying power compared to your standard cotton beach towel. It’s pretty big too, with a 27.5 x 55 inch design that makes it easy to scrub down your wet dog after they’ve shaken off.

Best Towel

Thankspaw Microfiber Pet Towel

  • Extra-large size

  • Absorbent

  • Super-soft

  • Limited color options

The Thankspaw Microfiber Pet Towel is available in blue and pink.

Dimensions: 27.5 x 55.1 inches | Colors: Pink, blue | Materials: Microfiber

Our favorite dog life jacket, the Outward Hound Granby Ripstop, is durable, easy to use, highly visible, and comes in five different sizes to fit any dog. It’s got easy-grab handles attached to the top of the vest, which makes it easy to hoist your pup from the water and into a boat. The Granby combines a hook-and-loop cuff across your dog’s neck with buckle straps across the belly, for a secure fit they won’t slip out of while swimming.

Best Life Vest

Outward Hound Granby Dog Life Jacket

  • Broad size range

  • Two sturdy handles

  • High visibility color

  • Runs a little small

Price at time of publish: $25 (Large)

Sizes: X-small, small, medium, large, x-large | Materials: Nylon, synthetic fabric

This handy contraption transforms any 20-ounce or 2-liter bottle—such as a standard soda bottle—into a cool-down shower suitable for dogs or humans. The set comes with two silicone “showerheads.” Simply replace the cap on your bottle with the Impresa Bottle Attachment and squeeze to force water through the silicone spray head. It’s portable, easy to use, and perfect for rinsing sand off your dog’s paws or salt off their face.

Best Spray Bottle

Impresa Bottle Attachment for Outdoor Water Sprayer

  • Compatible with disposable water bottles

  • Comes in a two-pack

  • Easy to use

  • Great for humans, too

  • No way to close off spout

Price at time of publish: $14 (2-pack)

No beach? No problem. This inflatable pool is your one-stop solution to creating a mini “beach” in your own backyard, patio, or balcony area. (Alternatively, take it to the actual beach and fill it with water for a stylish watering hole all for your dog). It’s large enough to fit two fully-grown humans, meaning it’d surely suffice for you and Fido to dip your toes (er, paws) into. The key selling point for these pools is the stunning design elements present on each and every version. Choose from a bevy of pretty patterns and poppy colors. Whichever option you choose, you’re in for the most stylish cool-down sesh you and your pup will ever have.

Best Inflatable Pool

Pool Buoy Inflatable Pool

  • Exquisite design

  • Large capacity

  • Gift-worthy

  • Pump Buoy Air Pump sold separately

Unfortunately, the air pump is sold separately.

Price at time of publish: $72

Dimensions: 65 x 13.7 inches | Materials: BPA-free plastic

If you’ve ever walked along dry sand that’s been baking in the midday sun, you know how uncomfortable the experience can be for your feet. The same can be true for dogs’ paws. This “PawTection” balm protects the sensitive paw pad area from the elements, including super-hot sand. Simply glide balm from the product’s deodorant-like packaging onto the bottom of each paw. The formula, which is entirely nontoxic and dog-safe, creates a soothing, shield-like barrier between paw and sand. A little bit goes a long way, so one stick should last quite a few beach days.

Best Paw Balm

Natural Dog Company PawTection Dog Paw Balm

  • Safe, nontoxic ingredients

  • Nourishing formula

  • Easy application

  • Available in several different container types

  • Fragrance free

  • Needs to be reapplied occasionally

Price at time of publish: $18 (2-ounce stick)

Sizes: 0.15-ounce (trial stick), 2-ounce (stick), 2-ounce (tin) | Ingredients: Mango butter, rice bran oil, lavender oil, rosemary extract

In addition to adorable style, this baseball-style cap shades Fido’s precious face from sun and other harsh elements, thus keeping potential skin irritation and sunburns at bay. This particular hat is adjustable, so it can fit a range of dogs. The design also features ample room for your dog’s ears, thanks to two spacious cutouts that can accommodate even the floppiest of ears.

Best Hat

Petall Dog Baseball Cap Sport Hat

  • Accommodates a range of dog sizes

  • Stylish

  • Shields dogs’ faces from UV rays

  • Not water-resistant

Price at time of publish: $11

This luxury dog cabana is a useful poolside accessory for pups of all breeds—not to mention, an adorable photo op. The exterior of the cabana has a cooling banana leaves pattern, which adds a touch of the tropical, even if your dog is lounging on a lakeside.

Best Beach “Pup” Tent

Minnidip Tropical Palms Pup-ana Tent

  • Stylish

  • Portable

  • UPF 30+

  • Not ideal for windy conditions

The Minnidip Tropical Palms Pup-ana Tent is made from UPF 30 polyester, so it provides not only shade but also protection from sunburns—which can be especially important for short-haired dogs. The cabana is simple to set up or dismantle, with PVC poles and a carrying bag for portability.

The Pup-ana’s main downside is its low wind resistance. It’s much more suitable for calm beaches and poolsides than windy conditions.

Price at time of publish: $55

Dimensions: 40 x 26 x 36 inches Materials: UPF 30+ polyester, PVC poles

What to Look for in Beach Accessories for Dogs

Sun protection

Similar to how excess sun exposure negatively affects humans, too much sun isn’t good for dogs, either. This is especially true for dogs who have sparse fur or fine coats, as their skin below receives little natural UV protection. The FDA has approved sunscreen products for dogs, which can be helpful. But regardless of how much sunscreen your dog has on, it’s crucial that they have access to shade.

Hydration

Staying hydrated under the hot sun is crucial for your dog’s wellbeing. Signs that your dog is dehydrated and not getting enough water include:

  • VomitingDiarrheaLoss of appetiteLethargySunken eyesToo much pantingThickened saliva

You can also feel dehydration in your dog’s skin, which becomes more inflexible as it dries out. If you tug the skin on your dog’s back and it takes a while to sag back on to their body, then your dog is likely dehydrated.

If your dog shows any of the above symptoms, make sure to get them cool water. Like humans, dogs also absorb water better when they have the necessary nutrients, primarily salty electrolytes. Pair a big bowl of cool water with a few snacks to help their body recover as quickly as possible. Repeated vomiting could be a sign of heatstroke, and should be treated as a medical emergency. Get your dog to their veterinarian immediately if they show multiple warning signs.

Swimming

For pups who lack swimming skills—and even for pups who could make it on an olympic swim team—a life vest is always a good idea. While dogs are often enthusiastic about swimming, it can be tricky for humans to tell when they’re running out of stamina. This is particularly true for ocean swimming, due to unpredictable, sometimes dangerous, currents.

Sand

If you’ve ever stepped barefoot on super-hot sand, you may have experienced an unpleasant burn on the soles of your feet. Give your dog some protection on their (shoeless!) pawpads by way of a paw ointment designed specifically for harsh ground conditions.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

Sophie Wirt is a freelance writer and product reviewer for The Spruce Pets. She is a cat mom to two fantastic felines, and a “dog auntie” to her best friend’s Mini Australian Shepherd. Products on this list were vetted for quality, value, and, most importantly, safety for all pups.

  • Do dogs need sunscreen?
  • Yes! While this may come as a surprise to many people, dogs do in fact need sunscreen, particularly if they have lighter skin or fur that’s relatively sparse. Dogs benefit from sun protection for similar reasons that humans do.
  • Can dogs get heatstroke?
  • Sadly, yes. The good news: it can be prevented by taking safety precautions, including keeping your dog hydrated, giving them adequate shade for cooling down, and monitoring them while they play to ensure they’re not overexerting themselves.

Yes! While this may come as a surprise to many people, dogs do in fact need sunscreen, particularly if they have lighter skin or fur that’s relatively sparse. Dogs benefit from sun protection for similar reasons that humans do.

Sadly, yes. The good news: it can be prevented by taking safety precautions, including keeping your dog hydrated, giving them adequate shade for cooling down, and monitoring them while they play to ensure they’re not overexerting themselves.