My Dog is Cool | How Hot Do Cars Get? (2024)

FAQs

How hot is too hot for dogs in cars? ›

As the normal body temperature of dogs is 99.5 - 102.2 Fahrenheit (37.5 - 39 degrees Celsius), a warm car recording a temperature of 109°F (43°C) can result in a dog suffering from multiple organ failure and possibly even death.

It only takes 10 minutes for the interior temperature of a car to reach a potentially fatal 109 degrees on 90-degree day. Since dogs can only regulate heat through panting and minor sweat glands on their footpads, temperatures above 104-degrees put them at high risk of overheating (hyperthermia).

Open Windows Don't Keep Dogs Safe

The inside of a vehicle parked in 70-degree Fahrenheit weather can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit in just 20 minutes. On very hot days, temperatures inside parked cars can climb to 140 degrees Fahrenheit in less than one hour.

Dogs in Winter: Keep Your Dog Safe in Cold Weather

Accordingly, they shouldn't spend longer than 10 to 15 minutes outdoors in temperatures between 10 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit (F), and they shouldn't spend any time outdoors in temperatures less than 10 degrees F.

It's possible for dogs to suffer from heat stroke after only 15 minutes in a hot car, which can lead to permanent brain damage or even death if not treated quickly. Generally, a safe outside temperature to leave a dog in the car is between 30-70°F.

But generally, it's safe to leave your dog in the car if the outside temperature is between 30-70°F and for no more than 5 minutes. Let's repeat that, no more than 5 minutes. And IF you have to, be sure to find a shady spot, crack the window, and be back at your car in 5 minutes.

It's illegal to lock an animal in a parked car or other vehicle in 14 states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia.

Check the temperature

On hot or warm days, avoid leaving your dog in the car at all, even if it's just for a few minutes. On cooler days, park in a shady spot and consider purchasing UV screens for windows and windshields to block as much sunlight as possible.

Step 1: Remove the dog from the hot environment. Step 2: Immerse the dog in a cold water bath or continuously run a garden hose on its body; continue either treatment for at least 30 minutes. Step 3: Apply ice packs to the top of the head; keep them there while transporting the dog to the veterinarian.

Don't let your pet hang their head out of the window.

They could get stones, dust or other debris in their eyes, and they're more likely to get seriously hurt if you have an accident. It's fine to have the windows in the car slightly open to help with airflow but make sure there's no chance of your pet jumping out.

How long can a dog survive in a hot car? ›

Animals can sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes. Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs because they can only cool themselves by panting. If you see a dog left alone in a hot car, take down the car's color, model, make, and license plate number.

Ideally, you should try to match your dog's normal routine for potty breaks and meals while on the road, but this may be difficult to do. On average, you should give your dog a break every 2 to 4 hours for about 15 to 30 minutes each, and plan on driving no more than 7 hours per day.

A puppy below 6 months can usually only hold it from 1-3 hours, meaning frequent toilet trips will be needed. Then as pups reach the 6 months and over mark they should then be able to hold their pee from anywhere between 2-6 hours. Adult dogs below 7 years should be able to keep their pee in for about 6-8 hours.

Small dogs can spend a few hours outdoors in temperatures between 60ºF and 90ºF. But keep outings in temperatures below 32ºF and above 90ºF to short spans of no more than 10 to 15 minutes, recommends Dr. Wooten.

Temperatures below freezing (0°C) will be too cold for most dogs and cats. When the temperature averages below 7°C, most pets shouldn't be left outdoors day or night - spending long periods at these temperatures means your pet is more likely to develop cold-related health problems like hypothermia.

But once you reach your destination, you should never leave your dog in the car alone. Dogs are highly susceptible to heat stroke and dehydration, which can occur quickly in hot temperatures. Even on a moderately warm day, the temperature inside a car can rise to dangerous levels in just a few minutes.

We would not recommend that you leave your dog unattended on a warm day, even if it's just for a few minutes. Heatstroke can happen quickly and can be fatal.