Pet Friendly Outer Banks Vacation Rentals
We understand that your dog is an important part of your family and bringing him/her along can make your Outer Banks family vacation more fun for everyone.
Sun Realty has over 600 pet friendly vacation rentals! You can view our entire list of pet friendly homes or search for pet friendly homes along with other amenities you may require during your stay on the Outer Banks (pools, hot tub, specific dates, etc).
- Plot rest stops along the way (every 3-4 hours is a good estimate)
- Make a list of several veterinary hospitals that are easily accessible from your route. Hopefully you won’t need them…but just in case.
- Pack a goodie bag to keep your dog entertained. Include a couple of toys, treats and a couple of blankets or dog bed for him/her to lay on
- Don’t forget the essentials: leash, water bowl, medications, his/her medical records and ‘doggie’ bags.
- Fleas and ticks are abundant on the Outer Banks. Don’t forget to apply his/her flea control medication so it has time to take effect.
Currituck Heritage Park located in Corolla, NC is a great place to picnic with the entire family. Massive live oak trees provide the perfect canopy for a leisurely afternoon. Dogs must be on a leash.
Wright Brothers National Memorial is the official site of Orville and Wilbur Wright’s first powered flight. Make a stop in the Visitor’s Center and you’ll see a full scale replica of the 1903 plane. Don’t miss the granite Wright monument atop Kill Devil Hill or the reconstruction of the Wright Brothers’ 1903 camp. Pets must remain on a leash no longer than 6’ in length.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, NC offers expansive open dunes as well as wildlife trails and picnic areas. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6’ long. Remember that the sand (no matter where you go), is 15-20 degrees hotter than the air temperature. The roads that run along Nags Head Woods in Nags Head, NC provide a great retreat from the summer heat! Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted inside the preserve.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island is the first English settlement in the America’s and the location of the Lost Colony founded by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1587.
Roanoke Island Festival Park on Roanoke Island features an exact replica of the Elizabeth II, the 16th centrury ship that brought over the first colonists from England in 1587. Festival Park hosts numerous summer events such as concerts, art shows and more! Dogs are welcomed but must be leashed and are only permitted on walkways.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is one of the most dog friendly beaches on the Outer Banks. Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 6’ in length while in the park. There are miles of beautiful beaches to explore.
As long as leash laws are followed, dogs are welcomed to enjoy the Outer Banks beaches too! Here’s a list of current leash laws. If you have a question, feel free to contact the particular town of interest.
Outer Banks Leash Laws
Corolla Leash Laws
Leashes are required Corolla, NC however there are no length requirements. For more information, contact Currituck County 252-453-8555.
Duck Leash LawsDogs are allowed on the beaches of Duck, NC unleashed, but as a matter of public safety and courtesy, they should be under the watchful eye and contact of their owner. For more information contact the town of Duck at 252-255-1234.
Southern Shores Leash Laws
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the beaches of Southern Shores, NC from May 15 - September 15. Year-round leash law. For more information, contact the town of Southern Shores at 252-261-2394.
Kitty Hawk Leash Laws
Dogs are allowed on the beaches of Kitty Hawk, NC from the Friday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM and they must be on a leash no longer than 6’. During other times of the year, dogs are permitted on the beach at anytime but must be restrained on a retractable leash no longer than 12’ long. For more information, contact the town of Kitty Hawk at 252-261-3552.
Kill Devil Hills Leash Laws
Dogs are allowed on the beaches of Kill Devil Hills, NC from mid-September to mid-May. Dogs aiding the handicapped are allowed year-round. Kill Devil Hills has a year round leash law. For more information, contact the town of Kill Devil Hills 252-480-4000.
Nags Head Leash Laws
Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round as long as they are restrained by a leash not exceeding 10 feet. For more information, contact the town of Nags Head 252-441-5508.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Leash Laws
Dogs are allowed on the beach year-round, if they are restrained with a leash 6 feet or less at all times. All pet waste must be properly disposed of by owners. For more information, contact the National Park Service 252-473-2111.
Outer Banks Beach Safety for your Treasured Friend
Remember, dogs don’t sweat as humans do making them more susceptible to overheating, heat prostration or other conditions which if left untreated can have serious side effects.
It’s inevitable that your dog will ingest some salt water while playing on the beach and that’s probably OK. However, salt water ingestion in great quantities can be very dangerous to your dog. The most common side effect of ingesting too much salt water is diarrhea and vomiting and symptoms usually subside within the same day. If you’re concerned about the amount of salt water your dog has consumed, contact one of our local veterinarians for more advice. Severe dehydration can cause irrevocable damage to his/her internal organs. Make sure you keep an amble supply of fresh water available to your pooch while frolicking on the beach! Overheating or Heat Prostration is a potentially life threatening condition which can be easily avoided. Always have a supply of fresh water available for your friend; exercise should be limited during the hottest part of the day and providing them with a shady place to cool off. The main sign of overheating is erratic breathing patterns.
Know the Outer Banks beach report before heading to the beach. Small dogs can actually develop musculoskeletal injuries from the impact of crashing waves or may overwhelm the pooch and cause drowning. Do not allow your family friend to swim too far from land; dogs too are susceptible to the oceans powerful rip currents.
First aid for Beach Dogs
It’s not uncommon for dogs to suffer from minor injuries or illnesses while playing on the beach. Most common injuries/illnesses such as hot spots, diarrhea, foot injuries and lacerations can be treated at home, but if you’re ever in doubt always consult with one of our Outer Banks vets.
Hot Spots are typically characterized by itchiness, redness, area sensitivity, hair loss (due to chewing and licking), and sometimes oozing. Often occur on the hind area or on the face. Caring for hot spots: carefully trim the hair over and around the area, clean area with soap and water or hydrogen peroxide. Apply an over the counter cortisone cream 2x a day. If condition worsens, contact one of our OBX veterinarians right away.
Diarrhea can often occur when your pooch ingests too much salt water,
changes in his dog food, the stress of traveling and being in a new place. If diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, forgo any home care and contact an OBX veterinarian right away. For simple diarrhea, try Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate (suggested dosage is 1 teaspoon per 20-30 pounds body weight). Over-exertion, whether while running on the beach or jumping up and down stairs can often lead to foot, hip or leg injuries. Rest is usually the answer for this one, however, if sensitivity continues, contact an OBX vet.
Minor abrasions or cuts should be cleaned with soap and water and then coated with a triple antibiotic 2x per day. If redness or bleeding continue or become worse, contact an Outer Banks veterinarian right away.
The information above was compiled from several different veterinary sites for your convenience. In no way does Sun Realty claim to be an expert on dog safety or health concerns. If you have a concern about the health and safety of your pet, please contact your veterinarian or one of our trusted Outer Banks veterinarians.
OBX Vets
Martin’s Point Veterinarian Hospital
6405 North Croatan Highway at Wright Memorial Bridge
Kitty Hawk, NC
252-261-2250
Coastal Animal Hospital
Kitty Hawk, NC
252-261-3960
Animal Hospital of Nags Head
Highway 158 Bypass
Nags Head, NC
252-441-8611
Roanoke Island Animal Clinic
107 Russell Twiford Road
Manteo, NC
252-473-3117
Animal Hospital of Nags Head
Avon office
Waterside Shops
Avon, NC
252-995-7718
Dr. Don Dowty
Mobile Veterinarian Clinic
252-480-0543
Average Outer Banks Air Temperature
| January | lower 50’s | 40’s |
| February | lower 50’s | 40’s |
| March | upper 50’s | 40’s |
| April | upper 60's | lower 50's |
| May | mid 70's | upper 50's |
| June | lower 80's | upper 60's |
| July | upper 80's | lower 70's |
| August | mid 80's | mid 70's |
| September | lower 80's | lower 70's |
| October | lower 70's | upper 60's |
| November | lower 60's | lower 60's |
| December | lower 50's | 40's |
Not able to travel with your pet?
Click here for Humane Society tips on How to Choose a Pet Sitter and How to Choose a Boarding Kennel
Nine out of ten dogs prefer Sun Realty frisbees and you will too when you visit us on the Outer Banks!
