Dogs are unable to sweat in the same way humans can and they have thick fur, which makes it more difficult for them to keep cool. This makes them much more susceptible to heatstroke. Stationary cars can become extremely hot very quickly, particularly in the summer months, and every year there are tragic reports of dogs dying in hot cars. Yet many pet owners are still unaware of the dangers. In this blog, we’ll answer some common questions about leaving dogs in cars, and explain what you should do if you come across a dog trapped inside a car on a hot day.
Is it Okay to Leave My Dog in the Car?
You should never leave your dog in the car on a warm day, even for a few minutes.
This is still the case even if:
- the car is parked in the shade
- the windows are left open
- you put a sunshade on the window
None of these precautions are enough to prevent the car from reaching scorching temperatures in the summer.
Even if you leave the air conditioning on in the car, it’s still not recommended to leave your dog in there on a hot day. Air conditioning can fail, or not be turned up high enough – unless you are in the car with your dog, you won’t know if it’s cool enough for them.
Dogs are less able to cool themselves down than we are, and panting is not enough in high temperatures. They can quickly overheat, developing heatstroke, becoming dehydrated, and even resulting in their death. Dogs can die of heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes.
How Hot Does a Car in the Sun Get?
The temperature inside a parked car will quickly rise way above the temperature outside. It doesn’t even need to be a particularly warm day for the inside of a car to reach potentially fatal temperatures for a dog.
If the outside temperature is just 21°C, in can take as little as 10 minutes for the temperature inside the car to climb as high as 32°C. Within an hour, that can increase to 45°C.
Meanwhile, outdoor temperatures of 32°C can reach a whopping 51°C inside a car in just half an hour.
Cars act like a greenhouse, absorbing energy from the sun which begins to heat solid objects inside the car like the seats and dashboard. These then radiate heat, but unlike the sunlight entering through the windows, this heat cannot escape the car, and so temperatures inside soar.
Can I Leave My Dog in the Car in the Winter?
While the risk is certainly greater during the summer months, that’s not to say it’s safe to leave your dog in the car in the winter.
Cars can reach potentially dangerous temperatures all year round. A team of researchers from Nottingham Trent University found that temperatures exceeded 25°C in every month of the year during their two-year study. 25°C is high enough to cause overheating in brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs, French bulldogs and pugs.
The study also found that the most dangerous time of day was between 4-5pm – not midday, as most people might think.
Safe Temperature to Leave a Dog in the Car
The temperature at which a dog is comfortable will vary depending on breed, age, coat type and length, fitness, and many other factors. Most dogs are comfortable at temperatures between 15-25°C, however, there is no temperature at which it’s completely safe to leave a dog in a car.
Not only is the temperature outside not indicative of the temperature inside a car, but even if you know the interior temperature at the time of leaving, it can very quickly change. It might feel very cool inside the car when you leave, but it takes only a matter of minutes for the temperature to soar high enough to cause your dog to overheat.
Is it Illegal to Leave a Dog in a Car in the UK?
The act of leaving your dog in a car is not in itself illegal in the UK.
However, owners are legally responsible for their dog’s health and well-being under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Leaving your dog in a hot car carries significant risks to your dog’s health, so if they were to fall ill or die after being left in a car, you could be charged with animal cruelty. This could mean a fine or even a prison sentence.
What to Do if You See a Dog in a Hot Car
Sadly, many pet owners are still unaware of the extent of the danger of leaving dogs in cars, and every year, animal charities like the RSPCA receive reports about it. If you come across a dog trapped inside a car, here’s what you should do.
Firstly, determine whether the dog is in distress and if the situation is an emergency. Look out for the following signs of heatstroke in dogs:
- Excessive panting
- Drooling
- Collapse
- Being sick
- Fitting
If you notice any of these signs and the dog is clearly overheating, this is considered an emergency and the official advice is to immediately call 999 and ask for the police. Depending on the severity of the situation, the police may arrive at the scene to break into the car in order to get the dog out. Or, they may advise you to do this yourself.
Don’t break into a vehicle without police permission, otherwise you could risk facing criminal damage charges in court. Always phone the police first, and if you do remove the dog from the car yourself, always take pictures and videos of the dog in distress and collect the names and phone numbers of any witnesses just in case.
As soon as you get the dog out of the car, you should perform the following emergency first aid:
- Take them to a cool, shaded area
- Carefully pour cool (but not freezing) water over their body, with a particular focus on their neck, tummy and inner thighs
- Avoid pouring water on their head in case they inhale it
- Never cover them with a wet towel as this can trap heat
- Offer them small amounts of water to drink
- Call a vet for advice
What if it May Not Be an Emergency?
If you can see a dog inside a car but you are unsure whether they are in danger, monitor the situation for a bit longer. You might see the owner come back, or it may become more clear that the dog needs help. Even if a dog appears to be well one moment, they can deteriorate quickly inside a hot car and be very unwell the next.
Depending on where you are, you could also attempt to find the owner. For example, if you’re at a supermarket or an event, you could alert nearby staff members who may have access to a loudspeaker.
Other clues like pay and display tickets in the car window may also give an indication of how long the dog has been in the car for, and when the owner might return.
Wrapping Up
It’s really important to make dog owners aware of the dangers of hot cars. This is especially important over the summer months, but dogs can suffer heatstroke from being left in the car at any time of year. Some dogs, including flat-faced breeds, young, elderly, overweight or thick/long-coated dogs are more at risk of developing heatstroke – but all dogs can suffer from it. If you see someone else’s dog trapped inside a hot car, taking action quickly may be necessary to prevent serious harm, but it’s important to make the police aware before breaking into a vehicle to protect yourself from potential criminal charges.
For more advice on keeping your pet safe in the heat, read our 10 Top Tips for Keeping Dogs Cool in the Summer Heat.
