Remember, dogs die in hot cars

With summer in full swing, IAM RoadSmart has some useful tips on making sure your dog doesn’t suffer in hot conditions. Everyone knows dogs can die if left in a car on a hot day, but it’s not just being left in a car that can cause them to overheat.

Keep pets secure

When travelling with your pet, make sure they are secure and either in their own cage or tethered to a secure cargo point or seatbelt clip. Do not secure the dog with its collar as, in case of an emergency braking situation, it could injure itself. You should use a good fitting harness or a crash-tested dog seatbelt. 

Having your pet secure, and a collar on the dog with a lead handy, means that you can get control of your dog before releasing them. This should also reduce the chance of the dog jumping out of the car when the door is opened.  

Can I use the air con?

Air conditioning is useful in hot weather but remember it does not always reach the area of the vehicle in which your dog might be travelling, so they could be uncomfortably warm while you are at the right temperature. Consider getting sunshades for the side windows where your dog is and give them access to a travel water bottle or bowl. You can also get a cool mat for them to sit on and/or a cooling jacket to help keep their body temperature down.

Plan your journey

Think about what time you travel and where you stop to let your dog have a leg stretch, as the road surface might be too hot for their paws. A quick test would be to put the back of your hand on the surface for seven seconds – if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. Try to stop somewhere where the dog has access to a grassy area and walk them gently – try not to let them run around in the heat of the day as this can also make them unwell with heatstroke.  

Remember

Every year, some dogs suffer and die when their owners make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car, even when it is for “just a minute” while they run an errand.

Parked cars can be death traps for dogs in warm weather; when the temperature outside is 25°C, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 37°C in just minutes. On a 32°C day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 42°C in less than 10 minutes.

The vet team at Dogs Trust has this advice;

“It’s great to see the sun shining, but while this weather might be great for us, hot weather can cause problems for our canine friends.  Most heat-related illnesses seen in dogs are caused through being walked or exercised in hot weather, and this is especially true for those dogs with flat-faces or underlying health conditions. Owners should never leave their dog alone in a car, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Temperatures can rise rapidly inside a car, and as dogs can’t cool down the same way as humans, the heat can quickly become dangerous for them. Heat stroke in dogs can be fatal. If you see a dog in a car in distress, call 999. If you suspect your dog has heatstroke, call your vet at once as it is vital they receive the care they need as soon as possible.”