Dogs in Hot Cars and on Hot Pavement

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Dogs in Hot Cars

Why Are Hot Cars Dangerous to Dogs?

When pets love to take car rides, it can be hard to resist their excitement when they know their owner is going for a ride. Their wagging tails and smiles that come after they hear their owners putting on shoes and grabbing the car keys are easy to give into. But when it’s summertime and the sun is scorching, it’s best to leave your furry friends at home if possible. Going from point A to point B with your pup is OK, but if you have to leave your pet in the car for even a few minutes, it can be hazardous. Leaving your pet inside a locked vehicle is an extremely dangerous practice. While a quick trip to the store is undoubtedly more fun with your furry co-pilot, it’s safest to leave them at home unless you’re headed to a pet-friendly facility.

In general, it is safe to leave your pet for 5 minutes or less when the temperature outside is between 32-70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have to take your dog with you when running an errand, lock the car door, crack multiple windows, park your car in a shaded spot within your visual distance and make your trip fast, no more than a few minutes.

A car is essentially a heat conductor and will rise to temperatures above 115 degrees Fahrenheit within 30 minutes. Dogs can experience signs of heat exhaustion when their internal temperature rises to 103 degrees; panting, drooling, muscle tremors, abnormally colored gums, weakness or vomiting can all be signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.  

What Do I Do if I See a Dog in a Locked Car?

If you witness an unsupervised pet in a vehicle, write down the make, model and license plate information. You can attempt to locate the owner by stopping inside the nearest business and asking for help. If the owner isn’t promptly located, the next step is to call the authorities. Many states issue fines or have other legal consequences for leaving pets in locked, unattended cars. 

In our pet-centric world, it’s not difficult to find stores that welcome well-behaved, leashed pets as guests. Some even offer their visitors special treats and attention. Here is a list of most retailers to be pet-friendly and encourage their patronage: Petco, Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply Co, Nordstrom, The Apple Store, Bass Pro Shops, Pottery Barn, LUSH, Orvis, Old Navy, The Gap, TJ Maxx, Petsmart, and Macy’s. Other stores and restaurants permit pets on outdoor patios. It’s a good habit to always call ahead, though, as even some pet-friendly chains have local restrictions. 

 pet emergency disaster preparedness

Dogs on Hot Pavement 

In general, the darker the road surface, the more sunshine and heat it will absorb. That makes black asphalt one of the more dangerous surfaces on which to stroll. Artificial turf also absorbs a considerable amount of heat. White concrete or grass, with the cool dirt underneath, are safer places to hike.

One good rule of paw: if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your hound! You can test the safety of the surface by placing the backside of your hand against it. Wait 7 seconds. If your hand is uncomfortable and you need to move it away, it is too hot for your pet’s feet. For a frame of reference, an ambient temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit will heat the pavement to 125 degrees. At 87 degrees, it reaches a scalding 143 degrees! Ouch!  

Skin destruction and burns occur at 125 degrees Fahrenheit in just 60 seconds. First-degree burns of the paw pad epidermal layer result in redness and pain but tend to resolve in a few days. Pain control and cool compresses can help soothe the affected area. Second- and third-degree burns damage more layers of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. These burns result in blistering, peeling, infection, pain and sometimes permanent loss of sensation in the affected area. They are best treated by a veterinarian and can take weeks to months to heal. 

How Do I Protect My Pet’s Paws From Hot Pavement?

You can protect your dog’s feet by steering clear of midday walks, choosing safer surfaces, looking for shaded areas or providing mechanical protection for their paws like dog booties or socks.

Paw balms such as Musher’s Secret can provide a bit of a barrier from the elements while soothing dry, cracked paws. They are best to nourish feet but won’t provide complete protection your pet’s skin needs on a hot day. Rubber booties or those with a latex bottom are best outdoors. Not only do they provide traction, but the rubber soles protect delicate feet. Find a pair that fits well without causing constriction or chafing. Ideally, find booties or socks that are machine washable.  

At Pet Butler, we strive to keep pets healthy whether it’s by providing guidance on how to stay safe during the summer heat or by cleaning up their waste. Learn about our poop scooping services and more. 

Heatstroke and Dogs

Pet Safety Articles

Dog Drinking

With summer in full force and temperatures continuing to rise, responsible pet owners must once again monitor the climate’s effect on our pups. Covered in fur, our fuzzy little friends can’t sweat like us humans, and we often forget that their panting doesn’t always do enough to maintain a healthy body temperature – especially on long walks or during playtime outside. While generally not a problem, in certain scenarios and with certain types of dogs, overheating – also known as hyperthermia – can lead to heatstroke and some very deadly situations.

How Hot is Too Hot for a Dog?

Heatstroke, as described above, happens when dogs are unable to cool themselves properly, and usually occurs at internal temperatures around 106 degrees. Note, however, that anything above 103 degrees is considered abnormal or hyperthermic, and above 106 is considered lethal. Although those temperatures seem high, they are far from impossible and pose a very real threat to our puppies. If prolonged for enough time, heat can induce…

  • Unconsciousness
  • Extreme and random bleeding (due to reductions in coagulation)
  • Permanent brain damage
  • Potential organ failure

But don’t panic! There are a lot of ways to identify and reverse hyperthermia before it takes its toll.

Knowing the Signs of Dog Heatstroke

The first thing we need to do to stop heatstroke is to properly recognize when it’s happening. Besides the frightful symptoms already listed that could lead to a serious emergency, there are early stages of hyperthermia, such as…

  • Heavy panting
  • Excessive drooling
  • Lethargic or uncoordinated movement
  • Vomiting

Other less obvious signs include rapid chest expansions and discolored gums, which can range from a brighter red to a paler pink.

All these symptoms should serve as a red flag and you should take the following steps:

  1. Discontinue whatever activities are taking place immediately.
  2. Next, find a cool place either indoors or outside with shade, water (cool, not cold), and enough space to lay down.
  3. Placing your dog near a fan is normally a good idea, and you should douse him/her with cool water (once again cool, not cold).
  4. It’s important to let your dog lower its body temperature slowly; otherwise, it could go into shock.

Never use an ice bath in this process. Once your dog begins to behave naturally again, take them to the nearest and most available vet. Most of the time, your pooch will have recovered safely, but it’s best to let a professional make sure just in case. As always, the sooner the better.

Preventing Heatstroke in Your Dog

An even better way to treat heatstroke, though, is to avoid it entirely.

  • Don’t leave your pet in a car on a hot day, even with the windows cracked
  • Don’t leave your dog outside for extended periods of time
  • Don’t play too much when there’s high humidity.
  • Be careful with using muzzles in hot temperatures because they can limit airflow
  • Remember: just because you’re comfortable doesn’t mean your puppy is!

We have very different tolerances for the weather, and your pup can’t vocalize their discomfort.

Don’t Let Your Dog Overexert Itself

Even more dangerously, sometimes dogs ignore their own intuition – whether to make us happy or to just live in the moment. In the past, highly active breeds have been known to collapse due to the heat, since they can become so distracted in whatever they’re doing. It’s better to watch out for them instead of accidentally allowing overexertion; this applies to all furry friends, no matter how in-shape or healthy they are. Lastly, be ready to give your dog water and rest at all times. The more prepared we are as owners, the safer your dog will be.

Dogs at Higher-Risk to Heatstroke

As far as risk on the individual level, there are some characteristics prone to overheating:

  • Less able dogs, either young or old, have less developed constitutions
  • Dogs with dark, long, or thick coats have more insulation
  • Brachycephalic breeds – bulldogs, pugs, and other pups with wide skulls and short noses, have a harder time breathing
  • Obese, sick, or medicated dogs can respond more negatively to hot temperature
  • Finally, dogs that have already experienced hyperthermia have weakened thermoregulatory systems

If your pet applies to one or more of these categories, take extra precautions when bringing them outside and engaging with them. It’s important that they still exercise daily – just be a bit more careful.

Summer is perhaps the best time of year to spend with our happiest family members – parks are open, swimming is a blast, and being outside is always a treat. Everyone, including our dogs, should treasure this time and enjoy it while we can. But along with the fun, a little bit of caution is a good idea, too.

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