Heat concerns over dogs in cars

A picture of a dog in a car, taken in Notting Hill, London on the Portobello Road. I snapped his picture when I was walking along the street." from Jacqui McIntosh, London.

Hot Dogs in Automobiles

Hopefully, everyone is aware of the danger of leaving dogs in cars on sunny, hot, or extremely cold days.  Thankfully, more and more people are also becoming aware of the dangers of leaving unrestrained dogs loose in cars, as well. 

During warm weather pet owners/guardians must take precautions against the danger of heat exhaustion and heatstroke for their pets. The temperature in a parked car, even in the shade with the windows partly open, can rapidly reach a level that will seriously harm or even kill your pet.

Dogs (and cats) cool themselves by panting and by releasing heat through their paws. On summer days the air and upholstery in your vehicle can heat up to high temperatures that make it impossible for pets to cool themselves. Your dog will be more comfortable if left at home.

As a guide, the external temperature must be above 90°F (32°C) for only ten minutes before the internal temperature of a car reaches 100°F (38°C).  After only thirty minutes with an external temperature of 90°F the internal temperature will reach above 120°F (49°C).  You absolutely can not refer to yourself as a responsible dog owner if you leave your dog in an un-air-conditioned vehicle when it is 90°F outside, even for 5 minutes.  Moreover, responsible dog owners don’t leave their dogs in cars for more than thirty minutes, even when it would be safe to do so.  It’s not an ethical practice.

When is it not safe for a dog to be left inside a car?

1. When the temperature is approx. 23°C (73°F) or above inside the vehicle.
2. When the temperature is well below freezing.  This is especially important for shorthaired dogs.
3. Extended periods of time.  You may have no place to leave your pet while you patronize certain businesses, but that is no excuse for leaving a dog alone in a car longer than a half hour, even if it seems “safe” to do so.
4. If the vehicle does not have adequate security features to minimize the likelihood of theft.  Many dogs have been stolen from unlocked vehicles.

How to recognize the signs of a dog suffering heat exhaustion

1. body temperature above 104°F
2. excessive panting or salivating (or the sudden stopping of panting)
3. excessive barking, as if in distress and trying to escape
4. dark or bright red tongue and gums
5. seizures or weakness and muscle tremors
6. bloody diarrhoea or vomiting
7. coma

Emergency Treatment

If your dog shows symptoms of heatstroke follow these instructions:

• Immediately move the animal to a cool, shady place.
• Wet the dog with cool water.
• Fan vigorously to promote evaporation. This process will cool the blood, which reduces the dog's core temperature.
• Do not apply ice. This constricts blood flow which will inhibit cooling.
• Allow the dog to drink some cool water (or to lick ice cream if no water is available).
• Take the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible for further treatment.

Veterinarians may apply supportive measures such as intravenous fluids to rehydrate the animal and oxygen to prevent brain damage. 

If it's too hot or too cold for you to sit in the car, then it's not safe for your dog either.  Find a temperature that is comfortable for yourself, and use that as a guideline for your dog's comfort and safety.

A few happy “dogs in cars photos”

Photos courtesy of this website:

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/jezturner/dogsincars/about.html

by Jerome Turner

"Beta & Buster in a Peugeot 106, Mogenstrup, Denmark ." from Janni Mikkelsen, Denmark.

'On a rainy day in summer holidays 2002. On the travel into a museum, I stopped to go to a supermarket, in order to buy a battery for my camera. The dog’s waited.' from Heike, Germany.

"Dog in car in front of me in Jacksonville, Florida - November 8th, 2002." from Curt Schwarzwalder, USA.

Good information source: http://www.spca.bc.ca/animalissues/hotdogs.asp