Tips for Getting Sand Out of Your Dog’s Fur

You just had a blast at the beach with your dog on a hot summer day, and it shows. You may be asking yourself how are you going to get all the sand out of your four-legged friend’s fur? With these simple steps, your dog will be sand-free and you won’t hesitate to spend time with your pup at the beach again.

1) Rinse With a Hose

First, take some time to get as much sand out of your pup’s fur as possible before entering the house. A hose with a trigger nozzle and water jet or shower setting is preferred. This will help remove sand build-up and anything stuck in your furry friend’s hair. Then, give your canine a quick towel dry to prevent puddles in the house and to loosen any remaining sand.

2) Bath

Next, give your pal a warm bath being sure to lather the shampoo all the way down to the skin. This will continue to loosen any sand that is still in your canine’s fur. You can also use a dog bath brush to help scrub and remove sand, dead skin, and shedding fur.

3) Towel Dry

Towel dry your pup again to further dislodge any leftover sand. It is important to fully dry your furry friend before brushing. Microfiber towels are gentle on your pal’s skin while absorbing lots of moisture. Skipping this step will cause damage to your dog’s fur. If their fur is still wet, it will tangle and break. Additionally, sand is much easier to remove from dry fur.

4) Brush

Use a high-quality brush to remove any tangles in your dog’s coat as well as any remaining sand. Here is a great guide to choosing a brush to best suit your pup.

5) Repeat

It may take more than one go-around to remove all of the sand from your dog’s fur. If you need to repeat these steps, don’t repetitively wash with shampoo or soap to avoid drying out and irritating your dog’s skin.  We recommend washing with just water if necessary. Or, you can repetitively brush your pal to remove the rest of the sand.

Future Steps

If you want to minimize the amount of sand your dog’s coat collects, get your companion a haircut. This will keep your pal nice and cool but also prevent excess sand from collecting and thus saving you cleaning time. Having at-home dog clippers and a grooming set will save you time and money in the long run, especially if you are an avid beachgoer.

You will also want to brush your furry friend before heading to the beach. This will remove any tangles that sand and other debris will get caught in.

If going to the beach is your puppy’s favorite summertime activity, consider investing in sunscreen to protect your dog from the summer sun.