Leaving dogs in a hot car is seriously dangerous and dogs can die as a result.
“As a vet, I too often see dogs in the spring/summer with signs of heat stroke. This can be due to overheating for a number of reasons but still we see it from people leaving their dogs in hot cars. Dogs should NEVER be left in hot cars – no excuse.” – Nicola Endersby, Founder and Owner of Cura
Even if you believe your car to be a safe temperature, i.e. you’ve parked in the shade or left the air conditioning on, dogs overheat much quicker than humans. This is because they can’t sweat the same way we can so they can’t cool down as easily.
Your car is essentially an oven in the heat, and this can soon become a dangerous situation, causing your dog serious distress and in the worst case scenario, death. Without you physically being there to monitor your dog, anything can happen.
Another issue when it comes to dogs being left in a car, is that people who witness this are unsure what to do. This can lead to them doing nothing, which again, leaves the dog in serious danger.
In this guide, we’ll be talking you through:
- The dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars
- How to tell if a dog is over heating
- What to do if you spot a dog in a hot car
- Any rules / legalities around intervening
- How to keep dogs cool in the heat
By following this advice, you can ensure your dog is happy and safe during the warmer months.
The Dangers of Leaving Dogs In Hot Cars
There are several dangers of leaving dogs in a hot car, the most significant being that they can overheat and die. Even if you think you’re only leaving them for a short amount of time, the car can rapidly heat up and reach high temperatures, even on mild days.
As we mentioned above, a dog’s way to cool itself down is through panting. However in a hot car, this soon becomes ineffective meaning they can overheat and suffer serious heatstroke. This can lead to organ damages and seizures which can ultimately be fatal.
How to Tell If A Dog Is Overheating
Knowing if a dog is overheating is the first step to acting and getting the right help. Whilst dogs do pant when they’re hot, and this is normal, excessive panting and drowsiness are signs of overheating.
Look for the the following symptoms:
- Heavy, excessive panting – Panting that is rapid or continuous even when the dog is resting can be a sign that they are struggling to cool themselves down.
- Dribbling / drooling – Excessive saliva can be an indication that the dog is becoming overheated and dehydrated.
- Lethargy – If a dog appears unusually tired, uninterested in their toys, or reluctant to move they might be overheating.
- Weakness – You might notice them wobbling or having a lack of coordination.
- Dizziness – The dog might seem disoriented, unsteady on their feet, or confused.
- Vomiting / diarrhoea – As heatstroke progresses, digestive upset can occur.
- Collapse – In serious cases, a dog may suddenly fall or become unresponsive which is a medical emergency.
What to Do If You Spot a Dog In a Hot Car
If you see a dog in a hot car it’s important you know how to act. We’re breaking this down into two sections: what to do if the dog is showing signs of heatstroke and what to do if they seem okay but you’re still concerned.
However regardless of which scenario, it’s important to act as this situation can still deteriorate and become dangerous.
The dog is showing signs of heatstroke
If the dog is showing the signs listed above, call 999 immediately. This is an emergency and the dog needs medical attention as soon as possible.
The police will either come to the location and rescue the dog, or ask you to do so. If the dog is in a critical condition, you might need to break into the car to free them yourself. Waiting for the police to arrive can take time and your instinct might tell you the dog will not be able to wait.
Important: This can be classed as criminal damage and may end up in court. However, legally you can commit damage to the owners car if you believe they will agree that it was necessary for the safety of the dog. You should also inform the police of what you are doing and collect evidence of the situation such as eye witness statements and photos/ videos of the dog.
The dog seems okay but you’re still concerned
Regardless of whether the dog seems okay, they might still be in danger as you don’t know how long their owner is going to be away from the car. It’s important not to just assume they are fine as temperature can quickly rise.
According to the RPCA’s advice dogs in hot cars, you should take the following steps:
- Prepare – Is there a way to check how long the dog has been in the car, for example a pay and display ticket which would show what time the car entered the car park?
- Act – If you’re in a shop or at a venue, notify staff as they can make a call-out for the owner of the car. Ensure someone stays with the dog at all times and don’t hesitate to call 999 if their situation worsens.
- Inform – Call the cruelty line at the RSPCA for advice at 03001234999.
Important: Only call the RSPCA for advice. 999 is still your first priority if you believe the dog’s condition deteriorates.
How to Keep Dogs Cool In the Heat
Knowing how to keep dogs cool in the heat is key to keeping them safe. Below are a few simple ways to keep your dog cool, ensuring they are healthy and happy all year round.
Buy a cooling mat
A cooling mat is a simple yet effective way of cooling your dog down. It can be bought in a range of sizes depending on the breed, ensuring most of their body is covered when they sit / lie down. It works as this mat is filled with a cooling gel that is comfortable to lie on and quickly reduces the dog’s temperature by up to 7 degrees without the need for a fridge or a charger. It’s waterproof and lasts several hours so your dog can stabilise their body temperature and rest.
Keep them indoors
This might prove unpopular with your four legged friend as they’ll want to be outside exploring. However this really is the best thing for them, especially on hot days. We don’t always realise it as humans as our feet are often covered, but the ground can be hot – particularly on your dogs paws which are exposed. Also putting your dog in the shade doesn’t necessarily mean they’re cool as the air can still be warm and they can still overheat.
Try a cooling coat
Cooling coats are designed to help dogs stay comfortable in hot weather. They work through evaporative cooling as the fabric is soaked in water, which then gradually releases moisture, helping to draw heat away from the dog’s body without leaving their fur wet.
The great thing is they’re reusable and quick to refresh whilst adjustable straps around the chest and belly ensure a secure, comfortable fit.
At Cura, we have a range of dog cooling coats in different sizes depending on the breed.
Make sure they always have access to water
Keeping your dog hydrated, especially in hot weather, is key. Make sure they always have access to clean water throughout the day, whether they’re indoors or outside.
Dogs can quickly become dehydrated in the heat, and not having enough water can increase the risk of heatstroke. Make sure to check their water bowl regularly and refill it.
If you’re out and about, bring water with you and offer it to your dog frequently. You can take water on the go with a dog water bottle and bowl which doubles up as one item, making it convenient whenever your dog needs a drink. At Cura, our Henry Wag water bottle with leaf bowl is a convenient way to hydrate your dog no matter the location. Simply flip the leaf from the side of the bottle to under the bottle neck and a drinking bowl for your dog is created with a capacity of 500ml.
Let them rest
Hot weather can make dogs feel more tired than usual, so you might notice they have less energy or are less interested in playing. The heat can take a lot out of them, causing them to become more lethargic and wanting to sleep more.
You should let your dog rest as and when they need to and make sure they have a cool, comfortable place to lie down. This might be a place in the shade or on a cool floor (if you have a tiled room in your house this is much better than carpet).
Resting is important for all dogs, but you might notice it more in older dogs or those with health conditions.
Give them frozen toys
Freezer toys are an easy way to keep your dog cool and they’re also something fun! These toys can be put in the freezer, keeping your dog cool for several hours as they play and chew on them. You can also freeze treats or fill toys with water to make them more appealing. This helps lower their body temperature whilst also keeping them entertained.
Should You Walk Your Dog In the Heat?
In hot weather, it’s best to walk your dog early in the morning and later in the evening as temperatures tend to be lower during these times.
Keep walks shorter than usual and take things at a slower pace. Also if your dog seems unusually tired or is panting heavily, head home and let them cool down.
It’s also worth checking the ground temperature as pavements can become very hot and burn your dog’s paws (as mentioned earlier in the blog). If it feels too hot to touch with your hand, it’s too hot for them to walk on.
The Serious Dangers of Leaving Dogs In Hot Cars
There are serious dangers to leaving dogs in hot cars as they can soon overheat and in the worst case scenario, this can be fatal.
As dogs can’t sweat the same way as us, it’s easy for them to overheat especially when trapped in a contained space such as a car.
As we’ve covered in the blog:
If you spot a dog in a car who you believe is overheating, call 999. This is an emergency.
If you spot a dog in a car who seems fine but you’re still concerned, try to notify the owner.
There are also some simple products you can buy throughout the warmer months to keep your dog feeling cool and comfortable. At Cura, we’re a vet-owned and vet-ran online dispensary and we treat your pets as if it were our own so you can be sure the advice you’re getting is honest and transparent.
