Dogs In Hot Cars

July 26, 2022

With hotter days on the horizon, it’s time to think about not leaving your dog alone in the car.

On a hot day, it’s true that most dogs love nothing more than going for a car ride and hanging their head out the window. But on those warm, sunny days, leaving your dog unattended in the car for any amount of time is asking for trouble.

A car can heat up dangerously fast on hot days. When it’s 22 degrees Celsius outside, it only takes 30 minutes for the temperature inside your car to rise above 40 degrees Celsius. At that temperature your dog will suffer heat exhaustion and likely die.

Dogs cannot cool their bodies by sweating. When they get overheated and suffer heat stroke, they will go into shock. Heat exhaustion can lead to irreparable organ failure and death. Dogs most at risk are senior, overweight and young dogs. Dog breeds such as boxers, bulldogs and pugs are the most vulnerable and they need extra care in the heat.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Excessive panting
Signs of distress
Listlessness
Drooling
Pale gums
Weakness, collapse
Vomiting/diarrhea

Dog In Hot Cars Is Not Cool

It’s wrong to think that parking in the shade or leaving a window open is the answer. Experiments have shown that a car parked in the shade with an inside temperature of 18.6 degrees Celsius can become dangerously hot in just 10 minutes and rise as much as 10 degrees Celsius for an inside temperature of 28.5 degrees Celsius.

Even on cooler days, if the sun is shining, your car can turn into an oven in the matter of minutes. And don’t forget, your dog is wearing a fur coat and is already at a disadvantage from the get-go.

This is such a serious issue that many cities around the world have issued stricter laws pertaining to pet safety and leaving them alone in a parked car.

Animal Protection Bylaws

In 2020, Ontario became the first province in Canada to introduce stronger penalties pertaining to the enforcement of animal welfare and animals in distress. Under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act, law enforcement officers can legally break into your motor vehicle to help a pet in distress.

This year, Winnipeg issued stricter laws enforcing animal welfare. Under the new bylaw, pets cannot be left unattended in a parked vehicle when the temperature outside is 22 degrees or warmer and in the winter, 10 degrees Celsius or colder. These rules also apply to chaining your dog outside and leaving them unattended.

To prevent heat exhaustion and harm to the pads of your dogs’ feet, cycling or jogging with your dog in weather 22 degrees Celsius or higher is also prohibited.

The Ontario SPCA and the American SPCA advise against leaving your dog alone in the car for any amount of time, no matter what the weather conditions. They agree that it is one of the most irresponsible things a pet owner can do. The OSPCA wants to get the message out to everyone:

“There is no excuse for leaving a pet unattended in a parked vehicle.” ~ OSPCA

Pet owners who violate these tougher bylaws could face damage to their vehicles, the loss of your pet, a $20,000 fine, as well as charges under the Animal Protections Act and Criminal Code.

In Toronto, to report a dog unattended in a parked car, call 311 and stand by the car until help arrives.