Pugs are well known for not being very tolerant of high heat. They’re also known for not wanting to be left home alone very long. If you have a beach day planned, you may be wondering if pugs can go to the beach.

Can pugs go to the beach?

Pugs can go to dog-friendly beaches, and they may even enjoy the experience! You need to make sure they don’t overheat, though. 

We live in Michigan, but we’re in the center, making us about as far from any of the great lakes as you can get within the state. As a result, we don’t go to the beach very frequently, as it takes a couple hours to get there. We never took our pugs to the “big” beach, as we would have been hours from home which wouldn’t be ideal if they got overheated. But we did take them to some lakes with us.

It’s definitely possible to have a beach day with your pug, but it requires thoughtfulness and planning.

How to keep your pug safe at the beach

Choose to go to the beach with your pug on a day where it’s not too hot. Consider what temperatures your pug tolerates while just being outside, not in the water. You may be able to take them to the beach if it’s a little above the temperature that they’re usually comfortable at, if you know that they will enjoy getting in the water to cool off. If your dog doesn’t like water and won’t be getting wet, you’ll want to ensure the air temperature is comfortable for them as-is.

Make sure there is shade. Some beaches may have natural shade that you can take advantage of, but if not, be sure to bring a large umbrella, tent or some other sort of shelter to create a shaded area for your pug.

Plan to have a responsible person by your pug’s side the entire time. If you and the other people going with you want to be able to be free to do what they want, that isn’t a good time to bring your pug along. Someone will need to be on ‘pug duty’ at all times. It’s important to keep an eye on them in case they overheat, and to keep them safe around the water.

Bring a dog lifejacket if they plan to get in the water. It’s rare, but there are some pugs who can swim, as I shared a video of in my athletic pugs post. Most pugs are “front heavy” because their shoulders are wider and heavier than their hips, and this makes it impossible for them to stay above water while swimming, without help. Even if your pug can swim some, it’s best to have a lifejacket to help support them in case they get tired while swimming.

Bring a portable water bowl. Keeping your pug hydrated while in the sun is really important!

Bring a dog shirt. If your pug gets hot, you can wet the dog shirt and put it on them to help cool them down a little.

Consider your timing. Going to the beach earlier in the day or later in the evening may result in better weather conditions for your pug.

Use dog sunblock. A common misconception is that dogs can’t be harmed by the sun because they’re covered in fur. While their fur does help protect their skin, it’s still best to use dog safe sunblock.

Bring dog waste bags. This is really basic pet ower etiquette, but pick up after your dog poops! Places that are dog-friendly often struggle with inconsiderate owners not picking up after their dogs. One of the best ways to keep places dog-friendly is to clean up after your dog.

Pack alcohol-free baby wipes. These ca be used to clean your dog’s eyes if they get sand or something else in their eyes.

Both of my pugs enjoyed spending time outside when it was nice!

When can a pug puppy go to the beach?

Dogs need to be fully vaccinated before they are around other dogs. This is usually at 4 months old. Once they’re 4 months old and fully vaccinated, you can take them to the beach.