It’s a beautiful summer day, the sun is shining, you look at your best friend and ask, “Do you want to go for a ride?” – he hops in the car with no hesitation, and off you go on another adventure.
Most dog owners want to be with their pup all the time. Whether it be a quick trip to the store, a vacation or even a trek across the country, having your faithful companion with you makes everything more enjoyable. While there is no reason to not take your pup with you, remember, it is never a good idea to leave a dog in the car in the heat.
Summer is when Americans hit the road for vacations, and it’s the most popular the time of year to move into a new home. For some dog owners, traveling alone with your furry friend cannot be helped. But before you leave, it is important to remember – the risk to your pup can outweigh the fun of having him with you.
Risks to your dog
Experts warn that a car can reach 117 degrees within 30 minutes with all four windows open 1-2 inches. Even after a few minutes, temperatures rise quickly. Dogs are unaware of what is going on and can become more frightened as their body temperatures rise. This can become a safety concern for a dog.
Many dog owners don’t realize how quickly a dog’s life can be in danger. Heatstroke can happen in a dog quickly due to the heat in the car combined with their limited number of sweat glands. Dogs will try to cool themselves by panting which is not always effective at regulating their body temperature. When you leave a dog in a hot car, rolling down the windows or parking in the shade will not prevent a dog from having a heatstroke. A dog can die within a few minutes if they are left in a hot car. Dogs are also in danger of experiencing dehydration which contributes to heatstroke. Further, even if a dog survives heatstroke and receives medical attention, they can unfortunately suffer from brain damage.
If your dog has been exposed to high temperatures take him to a veterinarian immediately. Observe your dog; if he is panting, has glazed eyes, is unbalanced, or vomiting these are all indications he is in heat stress. Get him to a cool place, place a wet towel on his neck and sprinkle cool water on him. Offer cold water – but don’t force him to drink it.
Tips for you
Typically, if the outside temperature is over 70 degrees, leaving your dog in a car for more than 5 minutes can prove dangerous for his well-being. Should you find the need to leave your pet often, consider having a remote-start system installed in your car, or carry a spare key. Then, you can leave the air conditioning running when you must leave your dog alone. Some municipalities have laws against leaving a car running unattended, ensure you know if this is a violation in your area. And, always set the parking brake if you do leave the car running.
Keep in mind, many businesses are pet-friendly now more than ever! Check with the owner or manager to learn if is okay to shop or dine outside with your pup. This way you can provide a cool temperature and fresh water as he needs it.
Know the law
Aside from the dangers of leaving your pup in the car alone for an extended period, in the U.S., 19 states have laws that protect pets left in parked cars. You can receive a violation when an unattended animal is left in a parked vehicle and the conditions endanger the animal’s life. Further, in addition to state law’s, in some areas, leaving a dog in a parked vehicle could violate municipal animal cruelty regulations.
What to do if you see a dog struggling
It is unnerving to see a dog in heat stress in parked car. If you observe a dog in distress, call the police or the local animal control agency. If you are in a retail parking lot, write down the license plate, make and model of the car and go into the store and request they announce the situation to shoppers. Then, wait with the car until police arrive. In some states there are Good Samaritan laws in place allowing you to remove the pup from the car in these situations. Be sure to know the law before you attempt this.
Before you hit the road with your pup, keep his safety at the top of your mind. By understanding the risks, you will enjoy many more years with your healthy, happy pup!