With the hot summer months, pet travel is at its height. It is important this time of year to be reminded about the dangers of leaving your pet in a parked truck. Whether you’re parking in the shade, making a quick stop at the store, or leaving the window cracked, it is still not okay to leave your pet in a stopped vehicle for long.
The temperature inside a vehicle can skyrocket after just a few minutes. Parking in the shade or leaving the windows cracked does very little to alleviate the heat. On an 85-degree day the temperature inside a vehicle (even with the windows cracked) can reach 102 degrees. At 110 degrees, pets are in danger of heatstroke. On hot and humid days, the temperature in a vehicle parked in direct sunlight can rise more than 30 degrees per minute, and quickly become lethal.
In a similar way that the sun warms a greenhouse in winter, it also warms a parked truck on cool days. In both cases, the sun heats up a mass of air trapped under glass. Precautions such as cracking a window or running the air conditioner prior to parking were found to be inadequate.
Pets are very susceptible to overheating, as they are much less efficient at cooling themselves than people are. They are designed to conserve heat, and are very good at keeping warm. Their sweat glands, only found on their nose and feet pads, are inadequate for cooling during hot days. Panting and drinking water helps cool them, but if they only have hot air to breathe dogs can suffer brain and organ damage after just 15 minutes in severe heat. Short-nosed breeds, younger or older pets, or pets with weight, respiratory, or cardiovascular problems are especially susceptible to heat-related stress.
Signs of heat stress:
- Heavy panting
- Glazed eyes
- Rapid pulse
- Unsteadiness
- Staggering gait
- Vomiting
- Deep red or purple tongue
If you believe your pet has become overheated, here are some steps to take to help lower their body temperature:
- Move them to the shade, and apply cool (not cold) water all over their body to gradually lower their temperature
- Apply ice packs or cool towels to your pet’s head, neck, and chest only
- Allow your pet to drink small amounts of cool water, or to lick ice cubes
- If concerned further, take the pet to the nearest veterinarian
Animal Services Officers or other law enforcement officers are authorized to remove any animal left in an unattended vehicle that is exhibiting signs of heat stress by using force. They are not liable for any damages related to removal of the animal, and the owner could face charges of animal cruelty.
If you see an animal in a parked car on a warm sunny day, go to the nearest store and have the owner paged. If the situation is severe, enlist the help of a local police officer or security guard, or call the local police department or animal control office.
The key to preventing harm from occurring to animals is awareness. Although it may be difficult at times to find locations that are pet-friendly when on the road, it’s important to be aware of the circumstances when your pet could be in danger. Your pet is your friend and takes care of you – it’s your responsibility to take care of them in return!
TripsWithPets.com is the #1 online resource for pet travel. Named best pet travel site by Consumer Reports, their mission is to offer resources that ensure pets are welcome, happy, and safe while traveling. The website features a directory of pet friendly hotels and accommodations across the United States and Canada, as well as airline & car rental pet policies, pet friendly restaurants, beaches, and events, a user-friendly route search option, pet travel tips, pet travel supplies, and other pet travel resources.