What effect does seawater have on dogs?
Expert Answer
Seawater can harm dogs. Its high salt irritates skin during long soaks, causing dryness, allergy, or infection, and its microbes can also infect. Licking seawater may introduce bacteria and parasites.
So don’t let dogs soak long, and rinse them with fresh water after contact.
My dog loves the beach but I learned seawater's no joke, the salt dries and irritates his skin and the microbes can cause infection or tummy trouble if he laps it up. After every swim I rinse him down with fresh water, every time, no skipping. Long soaks are the problem, a quick paddle is fine. If he starts scratching or gets diarrhea after a beach day, that's the salt or bacteria, and if it lingers get him to a vet. The article's spot on, rinse after contact, it's a two-minute habit that saves a skin flare.