A new survey from the pet company Rover highlights a troubling contradiction in how people think about dogs and hot cars.
What's happening?
The survey asked British pet owners about situations involving dogs in hot vehicles.
Many respondents said they would intervene to help a dog trapped in a hot vehicle, with more than two in three (68%) saying they would smash a window to save an overheating dog, per Companion Life.
Unfortunately, nearly one in three (32%) also admitted to leaving their dog in a hot car for up to ten minutes, and roughly one in eight (13%) said they had done so for up to twenty minutes.
Former police sergeant and wildlife officer Mike Pannett told the outlet, "You should never leave a dog in a car during hot weather. Vehicles act like an oven – if it's 72 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can rise to around 104 degrees within an hour, and a dog can die in a matter of minutes in those conditions."
Why does it matter?
Rover said dangerous overheating for a dog inside a warm car can begin in just six minutes.
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The brand's research unfortunately also found that 46% of dog owners think shade makes it safe to leave a dog in a vehicle, with 43% believing a slightly cracked window is enough, and 36% saying leaving water behind makes it acceptable, per Companion Life.
Rover also found that 42% of respondents worry they would be overreacting if they reported a dog in a hot car. But in an emergency, that uncertainty can cost valuable time, especially if a dog is already showing signs of heat stress.
As climate change continues to heat our planet, the number of days in which it's a danger to keep your pet in the car will only increase, making it all the more important to make sure to travel responsibly with them. Be mindful of the temperature, and avoid leaving them in the car on hot days whenever possible. If you must leave them in the vehicle, keep the window cracked or the air conditioning on, and give them water.
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