Are there other options for a beach day besides Fort Myers? Fort Myers Beach boasts approximately 100 beaches, including numerous ones that are dog-friendly. However, it is necessary to determine which beaches permit dogs, whether they can roam off-leash, and if they allow swimming. As certain beaches forbid pets altogether, researching prior to packing your belongings is essential. While the only dog beach without leashes officially recognized is the Bonita Beach Dog Park located between New Pass and Lovers Key, many others possess a beach and a designated dog park area.
When taking your pet to the beach, it is essential to keep in mind certain safety measures. It is recommended that your dog wears a life jacket made specifically for canines, regardless of their swimming ability. It is also important to ensure that the life jacket fits correctly, as the ocean can have strong currents. However, it is worth noting that not all beach locations are situated on the ocean.
Rotary Park, Wa-Ke Hatchee Park, and Estero Community Park are potential destinations that offer ponds, lakes, and a river.
After conducting some research, we have compiled a list of our top 5 beaches in Fort Myers that welcome furry friends. Below, we have provided essential information for you and your dog to enjoy a day out by the water.
Bonita Beach Dog Park
Bonita Beach Dog Park, situated on Estero Boulevard amid New Pass and Lovers Key State Recreation Area, is a dog-friendly beach that beckons you and your furry companion. The inviting Gulf of Mexico waters are perfect for frolicking. Remember to pack enough food, water and waste bags for your pooch and bring their leash. While it is a leash-free park, it is not enclosed, thus if your dog is not vocalised, using a leash is recommended.
As it is the only off-leash dog beach in Fort Myers Beach and considered one of the finest, it could become quite busy. Nonetheless, your pooch will undoubtedly rejoice in the opportunity to socialize with many other furry acquaintances.
In order to steer clear of the crowds, it is advisable to visit during the early hours of the morning or later in the evening. You need not be concerned about your furry friend getting muddied up as a dog washing area is available for you to wash them before returning to your vehicle.
Gulfside Beach (also known as Algiers Beach)
Gulfside City Park Beach is not simply a beach, as it spans over 30 acres and boasts 1,000 feet of beachfront area. Situated between Sundial Beach Resort and Sanibel Beach, this enjoyable location can be accessed via Algiers Lane on Sanibel Island. Spend a pleasant day with your furry friend indulging in activities such as barbecue or picnic, fishing, kayaking, or paddle boarding.
The Gulfside is an excellent spot for gathering shells, with its sandy shore teeming with both complete and shattered shells. It could be arduous on both you and your dog’s paws, so it’s advisable to don water shoes and limit your pet to the sand area to prevent them from treading on fractured shells. While there is no lifeguard posted, amenities such as washrooms and water fountains are accessible. Nevertheless, it’s recommended to bring your drinking water and bags for your dog’s excreta as a precautionary measure.
Bowman’s Beach Park
Bowman’s Beach spans 50 acres along the waterline, situated between Captiva and Sanibel Island. This location offers various amenities such as picnic tables, barbecue grills, and fitness stations. The beach is an ideal spot for kayaking or paddle boarding and swimming with your furry friend. Furthermore, it is possible to fish with a saltwater fishing license or clam dig in this area. Similarly, Gulfside Beach, located nearby, is known for its abundance of shells.
It is crucial to provide your dog with a life vest, regardless of whether they enjoy swimming or are new to it. The ocean can be unpredictable, so extra precautions should be taken. This particular beach is designated as leashed-only, which means your furry companion must be restrained at all times. Opt for a leash that is 20 or 30 feet long, allowing your dog to run and play without restraint. Remember to bring necessary items such as doggie bags, water, and snacks.
Causeway Islands Park
Causeway Islands Park is situated between Sanibel Island and the mainland and comprises an extensive beach area on either side of the Sanibel Causeway. With its vast coastal expanse on both sides, the park offers ample space for recreational activities, making it a perfect spot for running and playing. While dogs must be on a leash, they can be kept on even a long lead. Visitors can engage in numerous activities such as windsurfing, kiteboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming.
Within the premises, there are various public facilities such as restrooms, drinking fountains, and picnic tables that are available for use. You may also utilize one of the grills to cook barbecue.
In order to fish, it is necessary to obtain a license for saltwater fishing and prepare to pay a $6 fee. Despite the lack of concessions at the beach, temporary food trucks and eateries can be found, and there is also a small store called Angler’s Choice Outfitters available.
Lover’s Key State Park
Lover’s Key State Park on Estero Boulevard is the ideal place for you and your dog to spend the day in Fort Myers Beach, with a clean white sand beach stretching for two miles and crystal clear water. You can access it only by tram or boardwalk. Although your dog will need to be on a leash, he can play as long as the leash is long enough. While there, keep an eye out for shorebirds and other marine creatures.
While exploring the water, it is probable that you will come across bigger marine creatures such as dolphins and manatees. However, ensure that you keep your dog away from them. Opt for a stroll on the two trails, which measure around two miles each. Avoid getting too close to these creatures as well. Remember that you have to park at Black Island and either utilize the tram or take a walk across the boardwalk. A parking charge of $8 per vehicle applies.
BONUS: Best Dog Toys, According to the Experts: Our Dogs
For those who adore dogs, National Pet Day is an everyday occurrence. However, the official celebration takes place on the 11th of April, offering us yet another reason to overindulge our favorite furry companions with gifts and playthings. There is a never-ending selection of dog toys to select from ranging from frisbees and balls to puzzles, squeakers, and food-based devices. Nonetheless, as any dog owner can attest to, a toy may either be a hit or a complete miss. Your animal may exhibit no interest in it or, even worse, it may chew or tug on it for a brief period before instantly destroying the toy. So, how can you uncover the greatest dog toys that will guarantee hours of pleasure and entertainment?
We collected feedback from CNET’s dog owners and compiled a list of their dogs’ trusted and reliable choices. Though it’s not easy to come across an unbreakable toy for your furry friend, these toys have endured intense playtime, countless chewing sessions, and have kept dogs entertained for hours, with the Chuckit being an immensely popular choice that received three votes.
With every dog having its own peculiarities and likings, there is a vast selection to opt from here. Be it a big pooch or a small one, an avid chewer or a rope-puller, you are bound to discover something which aligns with their interests in this list. These are the top-notch dog toys that we highly recommend, and they are a hit with our furry pets.
Best dog toys
Outward Hound Dog Tornado Puzzle
When you have a dog that requires almost constant attention, you’ll go to great lengths to occupy them for a short while. This puzzle toy is perfect for achieving just that. It has three rotating compartments where you can hide treats, requiring your dog to put in some effort to earn their prize.
Wild Knots Bears Durable Dog Toy
The toy is long-lasting and provides endless entertainment for dogs. It contains a rope and several squeakers, which effectively capture and hold their attention. It often becomes the go-to toy for my dog to snuggle with.
Kong Extreme Dog Toy
Certain canines have a strong food motivation and may resort to gnawing at our living room carpet if nothing else is available. Thus, it is advisable to prepare some Kongs before leaving for a few hours.
Fluff and Tuff Ball
While certain stuffed animals are prone to tearing and falling apart in mere minutes, the Fluff and Tuff ball is designed to withstand wear and tear for weeks on end without even a single thread becoming loose.
Outward Hound Dog Hide N’ Slide Puzzle
The food and toy fusion in this puzzle guarantees infinite entertainment. It comes in handy when you’re unable to walk your furry friend in the evening. Despite its intricate appearance due to the mobile plastic parts, it’s quite easy to assemble. Simply conceal your preferred goodies in the secret compartments, seal it off with the plastic covering, slide the shutter to lock it in place, and voila!
FAQs
Do dogs really need toys?
Toys play a crucial role in a dog’s life, and neglecting their significance can have adverse effects on your furry friend’s mental and physical health. Keeping your pooch engaged and stimulated through play can deter them from destructive tendencies and provide you with peace of mind. Toys serve as a useful tool in modifying bad behavior, engaging your pet’s cognitive abilities, promoting sleepiness, and channeling the chewing urges of particularly destructive dogs.
What kind of toys do dogs love the most?
To find the most suitable toys for your pup, it’s important to recognize that each dog has its own unique temperament and energy level. Dog toys are typically divided into three classifications:
- Active toys: Balls and frisbees, as well as ropes and woven toys for tugging, are great for interactive play and getting your dog their much-needed exercise. If your dog is very active, such toys can also be used as training motivators.
- Enrichment toys: These toys keep your dog occupied and mentally stimulated. They can range from puzzles and treat-dispensing toys to a durable, rubber toy that you stuff with treats like the Kong. By working to get at the treats, your dog is trying to “solve a problem,” which stimulates their brain and gives them something to do. These kinds of toys are designed to keep your dog engaged when you’re busy with something else or not able to with them.
- Comfort toys: Did you have a favorite stuffy or doll when you were a child? Dogs aren’t all that different and can get just as much comfort out of carrying around a favorite toy. Anxious dogs in particular might benefit from having a stuffed companion. Just be careful since some dogs are aggressive chewers and shouldn’t be given soft toys. And avoid stuffies with squeakers, which can be easily removed and swallowed.
What are the best dog toys for chewers?
Dogs have a natural tendency to chew, but if your pet has a habit of chewing on inappropriate items, it’s advisable to identify appropriate alternatives. Cooked bones are known to splinter, break, and cause choking or intestinal blockage in dogs, hence they should be avoided. To provide a safe option, choose easily digestible and commercially available items such as Greenies or tough rubber toys like Nylabone or Kong. It’s important to seek your vet’s advice on the most suitable chew toys for your dog.
