The Dangers of Leaving Your Dog Inside Your Car

It’s already well-known that the inside of a vehicle can quickly become dangerously hot due to the recent YouTube video of a veterinarian proving this.

Within just 30 minutes, the inside of the car reached a temperature of 47°C. The place doesn’t have to be a desert or something like that. Wherever it may be, the inside of a car can increase its temperature rapidly.

But why is it that not a researcher, but a veterinarian proved this? That’s because pet owners usually leave their pets inside their car, and it’s so people will know the dangers of doing so.

The rapid increase of temperature on hot days

It’s already an established fact that the temperature inside of a vehicle will inevitably increase on hot days. However, a common misconception that people have is that it only happens on hot days.

It’s important to remember that even cooler days can be dangerous for pets and kids alike on being locked inside vehicles.

Researchers tested this and found that after an hour on a 100°F day, the temperature can reach 157°F. But even when parked in a shade, the temperature reached 118°F after an hour.

Shorter trips can lead to life and death situations

It’s true that it gets very hot after an hour, and it will not be that hot when you leave your dogs for just 10 minutes or so. However, it’s still going to be hot.

The rapid increase in temperature inside a car will mean that each minute counts for your dog. Additionally, the situation doesn’t necessarily go as you say. If you say you’ll come back after 5 minutes, it might take 15, and that huge difference will put much pressure on your pet.

Dogs are more prone to heat stroke

Dogs are also more prone to heat stroke. While dogs can get used to hotter temperatures, or even colder, they can’t do this on the spot.

Dogs also have a mechanism or method that they use if ever the temperature of their environment goes beyond the optimum range.

However, that mechanism won’t work if it’s too hot or too cold. Additionally, dogs can’t sweat and therefore, they’re much more sensitive to heat injury and heat stroke.

Then what happens during summer?

Now you know that dogs are more sensitive to heat, but does that mean they will suffer from heat stroke even without getting left in a hot car?

Yes, they are more susceptible to heat injury and so you should be mindful of the environment of your dogs especially during summers. The best place they could be is inside the house.

However, it’s not as if you can determine immediately that they are suffering from excessive heat. As far as you’re concerned, they might be barely hanging there as they’re in the brink of heat stroke.

That’s why you should know the signs of when your dog is suffering from heat stroke. These include depression, weakness, excessive panting, increased salivating, and vomiting.

Bonding with your dogs with road trips is great, but you should take precautions. The high temperature inside your car is only one of these precautions. If you think you can’t handle these trouble by yourself, you can Paws of Tomorrow and ask for assistance when you’re bonding with your dog during warm weathers.