Most people who leave a pet in a parked car do it because they plan to be gone for just a minute. Then the line is longer than expected or a friend stops to chat. The trouble is that a closed car is a very efficient heat trap, and a few minutes can be enough for conditions inside to become dangerous.
How a car heats up
Sunlight passes through the windows and warms the seats, dashboard and other surfaces inside. Those surfaces release heat into the air, which has nowhere to go. The temperature inside climbs well above the temperature outside, and it can rise quickly, with much of the increase happening in the first several minutes. This happens even on days that feel mild, and even when the car is parked in partial shade, because the sun moves and shade does not stay put.
Cracked windows do not solve it
Opening the windows a few inches lets in a little air, but studies of parked cars have found that it makes only a small difference to how hot the interior gets. A dog or cat inside is still sitting in a rapidly warming space, often on upholstery that is heating up beneath it. Leaving the engine running with the air conditioning on is not a reliable answer either. Systems can fail, cars can stall, and pets can bump controls.
Dogs cool themselves mostly by panting, and cats do so far less efficiently. In a hot, still car, panting becomes less effective as the air heats up and humidity builds from the animal’s own breath. Flat-faced breeds, older pets, overweight pets and those with heart or breathing problems are at even greater risk. Heatstroke can damage organs and can be fatal.
Plan errands around your pet
- When in doubt, leave your pet at home in a cool room.
- Run pet-friendly errands together, and save the rest for a solo trip.
- Use drive-through, curbside pickup or delivery options when your pet is along.
- On road trips, plan stops where someone can stay outside the car with your pet in the shade.
- Put something you need, like your phone or bag, in the back seat as a habit so you always check behind you.
If you see a pet in a hot car
Note the car’s make, model and plate number. Ask nearby businesses to page the owner. If the animal looks distressed, call local animal control or police right away. Laws about leaving pets in vehicles, and about what bystanders may do, vary by state and city, so check your local government’s official website for the rules where you live.
Know the warning signs
A pet suffering from heat may pant heavily, drool, seem restless or weak, have very red or pale gums, vomit, stumble or collapse. Move the animal to a cool, shaded spot, offer small amounts of water if it can drink, and contact a veterinarian immediately. Prompt veterinary care gives the best chance of recovery. The simplest protection, though, is a firm rule in your household: pets do not wait in parked cars.
