May 14 2008
Hot Cars Not Hot Dogs
Maybe you have your dog with you and you just want to dash into the store “really quick”, buy some stamps at the Post Office or grab a coffee to go—no matter how quick you think you’ll be, you should never leave your dog waiting in you car, whether you leave the windows down or not, spring, summer, fall or winter.
Heat Stroke
Most people are aware that leaving a pet in a locked car on a 100F degree day would be dangerous. However, it is the seemingly mild days of spring (and fall) that pose great danger. Cars heat up fast.
Greenhouse Effect
Cars trap heat much like a greenhouse, and that’s not a good thing. An Animal Protection Institute study, conducted during a heat wave, compared an outside temperature of a shady area with that of inside a car when fully closed, with all windows cracked, and with two windows cracked.
When it was a balmy 82 degrees outside, it was already 109 degrees inside the closed car, and when it was 98 degrees outside, it was 110 degrees inside the car.
When it was 84 degrees, it was 98 degrees int he car with all windows cracked, and when it was 115 degrees outside, it was 132 degrees in that same car.
When it was 80 degrees outside, it was 95 degrees in the car with two windows cracked, and when it was 104 degrees outside, it was 120 degrees in that same car.
The heat in cars can also increase quickly, sometimes reaching lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
Beat the Heat
So the next time you need to run a quick errand, leave your dog at home, or plan to bring him inside with you, but please don’t leave him in your car.
And if you see pets or children in cars on warm days, please take action and call the police or fire department immediately–time is critical.
Cars are a major contributor to heatstroke, never leave your dog in a parked car for even 2 or 3 minutes in warm or hot weather. Older, overweight and dogs that have under lying conditions are more susceptible to over heating. Short nosed breeds are also more more severely affected to becoming overheated quickly. The temperature inside a car can reach 120 - 140 degrees very quickly.
Here are some signs of heatstroke:
Red gums, excessive panting, rapid breathing, salivation, fatigue or staggering.
If you suspect overheating take your best friend to a cool place immediately and give him small amounts of water and call your vet!
Donna: All excellent points–thanks for stopping by!