How sea foam in Myrtle Beach area can hurt your dog. What to know if pet romps in ocean

Taking the dog for a walk on the beach, allowing it to romp and play in the surf, is a regular activity for some pet owners in the Myrtle Beach area.

But there are dangers lurking in the ocean that you can’t see that could pose health risks for your pet.

One of those is sea foam. While that white, sudsy-looking occurrence along the coastline seems innocent enough, it’s probably best to keep your pet away from it.

“As a general rule, don’t allow your dog to ingest sea foam,” said Steven Marks, dean of Clemson University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “It’s mostly harmless, but if the sea water itself is contaminated with something such as red tide or pollutants, the foam may be dangerous. For example, red tide, which is an algae bloom, can cause symptoms including stomach upset, tremors and seizures.

“If your dog does ingest sea foam, monitor them for symptoms. Your veterinarian can help with supportive care if needed.”

Angelos Hannides, associate professor in the marine science department at Coastal Carolina University, said by default, sea foam shouldn’t be a problem for pets because the Myrtle Beach area coasts are facing the Atlantic Ocean and not a bay.

“However, we have a lot of water on land,” Hannides said. “Our water on the beaches have been looking a lot like the Waccamaw (River), a lot of fresh water and material coming in.”

Hannides said that rain water has saturated the soil and is trickling down from such places as parking lots and other surfaces, including pesticides from lawns and golf course, that are washing into the ocean. That means that the coastal waters could be concentrated in chemicals and other bacteria.

And while it’s unlikely to be that concentrated in the sea foam, “I would be a bit cautious about consuming it,” Hannides said. “In classic scientist fashion, we don’t have an absolute.”

What is sea foam?

Sea foam forms when the ocean is agitated by wind and waves, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Seawater contains dissolved salts, proteins, fats, dead algae, detergents and other pollutants, and a bunch of other bits and pieces of organic and artificial matter. Foam forms as this organic matter is churned up by the surf.

Most sea foam is not harmful to humans and is often an indication of a productive ocean ecosystem, according to NOAA. But when large harmful algal blooms decay near shore, there are potential for impacts to human health and the environment.

And while most sea foam appears white, it can also become dingy or reddish brown. It’s that reddish color that you should really worry about as it could be harmful algal blooms, commonly called HABs, according to NOAA.

How do toxins affect dogs?

Dogs can be exposed to toxins by drinking the sea water, eating mat-like accumulations or scum on the shoreline or surface or digesting dead fish that could contain toxins.

Dogs are often attracted to algal scum odors, NOAA said. You should prevent your dog from drinking the water or eating the foam.

In addition, you should wash your pet’s paws and fur after being in the water to prevent them from being exposed while grooming, which includes licking their paws.

Hannides also recommends keeping track of river waters, which is often measured according to the levels of bacteria. If the levels get too high, officials may issue a warning to not go into the water. Hannides said such monitoring is a good indication that it will also affect the ocean waters.

“(It may) not be a good time for your pet to interact with the foam,” Hannides said.