Protect Your Pet Against the Heat In Your Car

Car safety touches everyone— including animals! And it should not be taken lightly, especially during hot summers.

Because of the suffocating heat, of course. Even if you only make a short stop, your vehicle quickly heats up like an oven, and this could have dire consequences for your four-legged friend.

In fact, according to a new UK study, even mild weather conditions can pose a major risk. At 21 degrees Celsius, for example, the temperature inside a car left in the sun can increase to more than double—45 degrees—in about an hour.

If it’s 30 degrees outside, the cabin will reach that in only 20 minutes and will rise up to 54 degrees after an hour. Can you imagine?

Since dogs can’t sweat like humans, they pant to cool themselves down, but this mechanism becomes less and less effective as the temperature goes up.

So, please, never leave a child or an animal inside your car. If you see one in a vehicle under the sun with all windows up, call 911 right away and explain the situation.

Another piece of advice to protect your pet from the heat: run your air conditioner and make sure the cold air reaches the back seat, trunk or any other spot where your animal likes to be. Ideally, install sun blinds on your side windows, or give your animal a cool mat to lay on. Also remember to always bring water and a bowl so it can drink and not become dehydrated.

Lastly, regular stops along the way are crucial, but beware of the searing asphalt! Put the back of your hand on it for seven seconds; if it’s too hot for you, it’s also too hot for your pet’s paws. Look for a grassy patch instead.