There is a common misconception that dogs only die in hot cars. But in fact, many die in warm cars, and of course if they are left in cars in not-very-warm spots, these can still become hot very quickly, if you were late back to the car. Dogs don’t regulate their body temperature the same way as us, and a dog in a hot car can suffer fatal heatstroke in 15 minutes. Leaving windows or air-conditioning on (or parking in the shade) does not prevent it.
Dogs are often banned from certain establishments (note to the man who runs Wetherspoons) and some beaches. Many people think this is daft as it encourages irresponsible guardians to leave dogs behind in the car, if they go out or are on holiday. If you reach somewhere and find that dogs are banned, just get back in the car and go somewhere else, never leave dogs in the vehicle. Just being 22 degrees Celsius outside, can reach 47 degrees C inside.
The same applies to anywhere else that gets hot. Never leave dogs (or any creatures) in conservatories, caravans or outbuildings on warm days, even if it’s only for a little while. You can buy various inventions that help to reduce sun glare from windows in conservatories, but they likely are not going to work well enough, compared to a cool room.
Always ensure animals (including cats) have shady areas, and give access to fresh cool water. Give damp towels for them to lie on, and if needed, using a reputable pet-safe sunscreen on exposed areas (never use human sunscreen on dogs, it’s toxic as most contain zinc or titanium oxide). Also check regularly for signs of flystrike.
Other tips to avoid heatstroke for dogs are to walk them early morning or evening in cooler weather (if the pavement is too hot for your hands, it’s too hot for paws), and install shades in your car before you travel, to help keep it cool. Open the windows (a safe distance) and plan plenty of breaks.
what to do if you see dogs in hot cars
If you believe the dog is suffering from heatstroke, call 999 immediately and the police will arrive to help. They will likely advise you to smash the window to rescue the animal (and for most of us, this will be instinct anyway, even if it causes ‘criminal damage’). It helps to know emergency first aid (read this book to keep your dog safe, packed with fun illustrations to help you learn in advance what to do in emergency situations).
Remove the dog from car and place in shaded area, and pour small amounts of cool (not ice-cold) water on the body. Let the dog drink small amounts of cool water and immediately transport to nearest vet.
If the dog does not appear to be in distress, know that it could well be soon, if temperatures were to rise. Note the car’s registration and keep around until someone arrives, or call the police or RSPCA if concerned. Alert local shop owners who may be able to put an announcement out on a tannoy.
If the guardians do arrive, be careful not to start an argument. There have been genuinely awful cases when someone perhaps did not know their dog was in the car, perhaps due to miscommunication with other family members etc. The person returning is likely to be as distressed as you (and guilty) so make the effort for everyone to help the dog, rather than getting angry. You may be asked by the police to take photos and videos, and note names and addresses of witnesses.
