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How Hot Is Too Hot for a Dog in the Car? This Hot

Animal Friends offers tips on keeping your pets safe during a heat wave.

The dog days of summer have arrived! Play it cool by following some basic summer pet safety tips so your four-legged companions can enjoy those hot, lazy days along with you:

If you think you're doing your dog a favor by bringing him with you on hot summer days, think again.

The inside of the car heats up more quickly than you think, to levels that are dangerous for most dogs.

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In a series of experiments over the course of the week, I left the car, with the thermometer in it, in various places, in various conditions, to see how quickly it would heat up.

'I just ran into the store to buy one thing'

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In the first experiment, I left the car with the windows shut, in the grocery store parking lot for an hour. It was 83 degrees outside. Inside the car, it was 108.

'But I parked in the shade'

Second, I parked the car in the shade, with the windows cracked. It was 81 degrees outside. In two minutes, the temperature inside the car had jumped to 86 degrees. In 10 minutes, it had climbed to 90 degrees.

'But the windows were cracked open'

Third, I parked the car with the windows cracked. It was 83 degrees and overcast.

After five minutes, the temperature had climbed to 86 degrees.

In 10 minutes, the temperature inside the car was 90 degrees.

In 30 minutes, even with the clouds, and the windows open, the temperature inside the car had hit 100 degrees.

After an hour, the temperature outside had climbed to 94 degrees, and the temperature inside the car was 110.

WHILE DOGS HAVE higher body temperatures than we do, the only way they can release heat is through their mouths and the pads of their paws.

Like people, different dogs can tolerate different levels of heat. Older dogs are more susceptible to heat stroke, as are dogs with short noses (pugs, Pekingeses, etc.), dogs with dark coats, and of course, dogs with thick coats. Also, dogs who are overweight or in poor general health.

Signs of heat stroke, according to msnbc.com are excessive panting or drooling, very fast breathing, a dark or bright red tongue or gums, staggering, or bloody diarrhea or vomiting.

IF YOU SEE A DOG - or any animal - locked in a car in a situation that you think is dangerous, you can ramp up your courage and seek out the owner of the vehicle and explain why he or she should get the dog home, or you can call police to report the incident.

Animal Friends offers these tips for protecting your pooch: 

  • NEVER leave your pet in a parked car! Even with the windows slightly open, temperatures can quickly reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to the animal suffering severe heat stroke or even death. Your pet is much safer staying at home on warm days. If you see an animal in distress in a parked car, call a humane officer or the police.
  • Pets drink more water as the temperature rises, so be sure to always provide plenty of cool, clean water for your pet to drink. Check water dishes frequently and place them out of the rays of the sun. Affix the container in such a way that the water cannot be spilled.
  • Outdoor animals must have shelter from summer sun and rain. A doghouse should be placed in an area of the yard that is shaded by trees or other buildings. Pennsylvania law requires the doghouse to be four-sided, with a good roof and floor. Steel barrels and metal doghouses are illegal shelters. Keep the area around the doghouse clean and sanitary. You should remove feces daily during the summer to reduce odor and flies.
  • Heat stress and heat stroke pose serious summer threats to pets, especially very young, elderly or overweight animals. When the outside temperature is high, especially if it is humid, an animal can have problems maintaining his normal body temperature. Signs of severe heat stress include heavy panting, increased heart rate, glassy eyes, staggering walk, vomiting and diarrhea. You must cool an overheated pet immediately. Move the pet out of the sun and immerse him in cool water. Apply ice packs to the head, neck and chest and provide cool water for the pet to drink. Contact your veterinarian immediately.
  • Many lawn care products can be toxic if ingested. Restrict your pets from treated areas and keep an eye out for chemically treated lawns when you and your dog are out for walks.
  • Fleas are often a serious problem in the warm weather, especially for outside animals. Some animals are allergic to flea saliva, resulting in hair loss and scratching until their skin is raw. Flea bites can also cause anemia in young or sick pets. Fleas can be treated by sprays or with products available from veterinarians.

There are ways to help your pet stay cool at home. Many pets enjoy the breeze from a fan. You can put ice in your pet's water. If your dog is at all amenable, you can run a hose over him or her. The evaporating water will help him feel cool. Likewise, a cool, wet cloth wrapped or draped around his neck will help. If you have your act together, you can freeze the bandana or cloth and put it on your dog just before you take him out walking.

Make sure your dog has plenty of water!

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All pets should be spayed or neutered, especially if they live outside. Each year, thousands of pets are euthanized because there are not enough homes for all of them. Call Animal Friends’ Low-Cost Spay/Neuter office at 1-800-SPAYPGH for information about spay and neuter services.


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