We all love our furry pooches so much that taking them with us for simple errands sounds like a recipe for a good ol’ road trip with a friend. However, what happens when you must leave them in the car to get those groceries, coffee, or whatever strikes your fancy? Here are some facts to remember before leaving your dog in a car alone.
Dogs have a harder time adjusting to heat than we do. It doesn’t take long for a car to become unbearably hot and life threatening for a dog. In fact, if it’s 23 Degree Celsius outside, it can take as little as 10 minutes for the car to reach 37 Degree Celsius. Dang that’s hot! Can you imagine sitting in that temperature, not knowing when someone will be back? A dog will pant to cool themselves down, however their anxiety levels will raise immensely.
Even if it’s for a short time, a dog can suffer from heat stroke. Signs of a heat stroke are:
Panting excessively
Drooling
Increased heart rate
Fatigue/collapse
Weakness
Vomiting/Diarrhea
What should you do if you see a dog left in a hot car?
Call your local police department. Take down the license plate of the car and bust that window open if the dog looks unwell.
In short, if you need to run an errand, leave your dog at home or plan ahead. Having a car buddy is not worth risking the health of someone you love the most.
