How Hot Is Too Hot for a Dog in a Car? Safe Car Temperature for Dogs

When the outdoor temperature is rising, it’s tempting to use an air-conditioned car as your default means of transportation. If you can enjoy the comfort of traveling by car in summer, why not take your dog along for a ride? Despite the numerous conveniences car rides can bring to dog owners, they can also become a source of immediate danger and even put your furry friend’s life at risk. 

A dog left in a hot car: Is it safe? How long can they stay in it? Let’s find out together the answers to these and many more questions related to safe temperatures for canines. 

Can I Leave My Dog in the Car?

Whether you can leave your pooch in a parked vehicle without human supervision is a complex question, and the answer depends on several factors, including the outside temperature, the duration of the unattended stay, and your state’s animal safety rules and regulations. If you absolutely need to step away from the car and leave your pet in it for a while, you must consider certain safety measures to minimize the risks for your furry friend. 

Considering how quickly an automobile interior can become hot, it’s advisable to avoid leaving a pet in a car alone when the temperature outside is 68°F (20°C) or higher. 

Another critical factor is the time of day when you plan to travel with a dog. Extreme heat during midday is the most hazardous, as the car and its interior surfaces can become extremely hot quickly. That’s why it’s better to avoid rides in the afternoon and move them to cooler periods with moderate temperatures, such as early morning or evening. It’s also more dangerous to travel on sunny days than on cloudy ones, as direct sunlight can rapidly increase the temperature inside the vehicle.

Additionally, there are temperature monitors available that alert you if the car becomes too hot or too cold for your dog, providing an extra layer of safety.

Your dog’s breed, age, and health status also play a significant role in how they tolerate heat. Brachycephalic and double-coated breeds are at an increased risk of heatstroke during the summer. Senior dogs, puppies, and dogs with chronic health issues are also less tolerant of high environmental temperatures. 

If you need to make a short trip or run an errand, it’s better to look for safer alternatives, such as leaving a dog at home or hiring a dog sitter. 

Is it ok to leave a dog in a hot car?

Leaving a pet alone in a car is never a safe practice and can be life-threatening.

The reasons why it’s dangerous for a dog to stay inside a car include:

• Rapid temperature increase: A car's interior heats up quickly under direct sunlight. In that sense, it resembles a greenhouse. The exterior heats up, and the sun's rays enter through the window, where the heat is trapped. As a result, 10 minutes is enough for the air inside the vehicle to warm up by 20°F (11.1 °C). 

• Dogs' limited cooling abilities: Canines regulate their body temperature in a manner different from humans. They rely primarily on panting, not sweating, which is less effective on a hot day. Additionally, their thick coats are excellent insulators, which can contribute to overheating. 

• Heatstroke risk: If exposed to extreme temperatures, such as being trapped in a locked car, heatstroke in dogs can occur within minutes. Such dangerous conditions often lead to fatal results. If untreated, heatstroke can cause a pet’s death within an hour. 

How Long Can a Dog Stay in a Car?

Leaving your furry companion alone in a parked vehicle, even in mild weather, puts their life and health in danger.

What to Do if You See a Dog in a Hot Car 

When you see a dog unattended in a vehicle in hot weather, your first reaction might be to pick up a stone and break a window to set the poor pooch free. No matter how noble your intentions are, these actions can bring more harm than good. So, let's examine the algorithm for rescuing a furry friend from a deadly trap in a hot car. 

1. Assess risks to the dog’s health

Start by checking whether the pet is actually in danger of overheating.

2. Call for help

Try to locate the pet owners. In many cases, they’re somewhere nearby, so you can voice your concerns. If you fail to do so and are sure a dog needs your help, call the non-emergency police line, animal control/the police, or your local emergency number.

3. Stay with the dog and be a witness 

Stay in the proximity of the car where the dog is trapped and document everything until help arrives.

4. Arrange cooling measures

After the dog has been removed from a hot environment, you should help the dog cool down quickly and effectively. First, move the distressed animal to a shaded area where the outside temperature is lower. Offer some fresh, cool water to drink and pour it gently over their body. If you see any signs indicating heat exhaustion or heatstroke, seek a vet’s help immediately. 

5. Don’t break a car window (unless instructed to by authorities) 

Breaking a window of a parked car is a last resort solution. In many states, you can face charges for damaging property. If you can’t prove you were saving a pet, you may even face criminal prosecution for theft or vandalism. It’s best to contact law enforcement immediately and follow their instructions. 

Wrap Up

Leaving an animal in a confined vehicle puts their life at risk, so pet owners should do their best to avoid such a situation. If you don’t have a choice but to leave a pet unattended, ensure their safety isn’t compromised. Check if the temperature inside is safe for a canine to stay in and make the duration of this stay as short as possible. Remember, no errand is worth risking your furry family member’s life and health. 

Frequently Asked Questions