Dangers of Leaving Dogs in a Parked Car on Warm Days

At Canine & Co we believe it is important to remind people and raise awareness of the dangers of leaving dogs in parked cars on warm days. Even just nipping to the shop and leaving your dog in a car for a short period of time can be fatal.

Remember dogs cannot take their fur coats off if they get too hot! Unfortunately countless dogs die every year after their owners leave them in parked cars for long or short periods of time, thinking their dog is safe but not realising the dangers animals face in this situation.

The temperature inside the car might not seem excessive when you first stop but the temperature inside a stationary car can rapidly increase to double the outside temperature.

This can happen very quickly, within a few minutes. We've all been there, when we've returned to our car and opened the door to feel how incredibly hotter it is inside than outside. This is simply because a car traps the heat from the sun just like a greenhouse.

This is why warm temperatures outside can quickly become deadly temperatures inside a stationary car. Even on comparatively cool days a car's internal temperature can rocket and keeping the windows open a crack is not enough.

Add to this the fact that your dog has on a fur coat that is designed to trap heat, and you can really begin to see why leaving dogs in parked cars can be so fatal. Also, they cannot sweat to cool down as dogs don't have sweat glands all over their bodies like humans do, so the main way they can cool off is by panting, which isn't very efficient.

A dog panting and salivating in a hot car will be losing fluid and will become dehydrated rapidly, increasing the risk of heatstroke and death.

Even responsible dog owners can make the mistake of not realising just how lethal travelling in the heat with their dog can be.

Please visit our full article which includes tips from the Kennel Club on how to keep your dog safe when they travel with you in a car ( http://www.canineandco.co.uk/blog/post/tips_to_keep_your_hound_healthy_this_summer/2/ ) and for more general information on keeping your hounds healthy this summer, please visit our Dog Blog at http://www.canineandco.co.uk/blog/

Enjoy a safe and happy summer with your dogs.

Donna M Condliffe, Author of Dangers of Leaving your Dog in a Parked Car on Warm Days. Owner Canine & Co for all your dog needs from dog collars to dog beds, http://www.canineandco.co.uk