Dogs in Hot Cars: Essential Summer Safety Tips

Understanding the Risks of Leaving Dogs in Hot Cars

Every summer, dogs suffer and die in hot cars. Even on a mild 23°C (73°F) day, the interior of your car can reach a deadly 39°C (102°F) within just 25 minutes. Within an hour, it can climb to 43°C (109°F).

Cracking windows, parking in the shade, or "just popping into the shops" makes virtually no difference. Your car becomes a lethal oven. Dogs cannot cool themselves effectively when trapped in extreme heat.

The simple rule: Never leave dogs in hot cars when it's 20°C (68°F) or warmer outside.

Know signs of heat stroke in dogs and act quickly if your dog is showing signs of distress and seek vet help urgently.

Recognizing Heat Stroke Warning Signs

Dogs left in hot cars are at severe risk of heat stroke. When temperatures exceed 28°C (82°F), panting becomes dangerously ineffective.

Heat stroke symptoms include:

• Excessive panting and drooling

• Bright red or purple gums

• Weakness or collapse

• Vomiting

• Glazed eyes

  
  

If you suspect heat stroke: Move your dog to shade immediately, offer small amounts of water, and contact your vet urgently. Never use ice-cold water, as rapid cooling can cause shock.

This poor dog's paw has been burnt from walking when it was too hot on the pavement. If their owner had waited till it was cooler or used shoes this would have been avoided.

When Is It Too Hot to Walk Your Dog?

Many owners don't realize that pleasant weather can be dangerous. Here's when it's too hot to walk your dog:

Safe walking temperatures:

• Under 23°C (73°F): Generally safe for healthy adult dogs

• 23-28°C (73-82°F): Walk early morning or late evening only

• 28-31°C (82-88°F): High heat stroke risk; 5-minute toilet breaks only

• 32°C+ (90°F+): Avoid all outdoor exercise

  
  

Flat-faced breeds (like pugs and bulldogs), puppies, and elderly dogs shouldn't walk when temperatures exceed 25°C (77°F).

Always test the ground with the palm of your hand for at least 7 seconds before taking your dog for a walk. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog.

Hot Pavement: The 7-Second Test

Before every walk, test the hot pavement with this simple method: Place your bare hand on the pavement for 7 seconds. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws.

Why this matters: At 25°C (77°F), hot pavement can burn paw pads within 60 seconds. At 31°C (88°F), pavement can reach 51°C (124°F).

Protect Your Dog's Paws with Dog Boots

Dog boots protect paws from hot pavement, sharp objects, and grass seeds. If the pavement fails the 7-second test, use boots or walk on grass instead.

Dog boots are great all weather and terrain and all year round protection for your dog. These are our PODs Dog Boots available in three colours and 5 sizes with wrap around style velcro straps.

Our TIPPY TAPS dog boots are available in smaller sizes for smaller breeds with zipper and velcro fastening and rubber soles in both breathable mesh or fabric styles. All shoes come in sets of 4. We have some similar styles to these simply called BIG DOG BOOTS in larger sizes too.

Smart Walking Tips for Summer Safety

Walk at cooler times:

• Early morning (before 8 am)

• Late evening (after 8 pm)

• Avoid 11 am-3 pm completely

  
  

Choose cool surfaces:

• Grass stays cooler than hot pavement

• Shaded parks and trails

• Test beach sand—it also gets extremely hot

  
  

GET YOUR DOG SOME SHOES TO PROTECT THEIR PAWS! Shoes for your dog are one of the best ways to protect their paws from heat, burns, and other dangers like cold, slippery surfaces, and allergies. Our Dog Shoes are rubber-soled, breathable mesh or neoprene designs, and come in sets of 4—just like your dog's paws! Check them out and keep your dog safe, comfortable, and fashionable with our selection of dog boots!

Always bring water: Carry a portable bottle and bowl. Offer water every 15-20 minutes.

Greyhound wearing our PODs Dog Boots in the colour Olive Green.

Cooling Tips for Hot Days

Frozen Treats

• Chicken Broth Ice Cubes: Pour low-sodium chicken broth into ice cube trays. Add small pieces of cooked chicken or dog biscuits before freezing.

• Peanut Butter Banana Treats: Blend ripe bananas with xylitol-free peanut butter, pour into moulds, and freeze.

• Watermelon Yoghurt: Blend seedless watermelon with plain, unsweetened yoghurt and freeze in ice cube trays.

• Berry Ice Cubes: Add blueberries or strawberries to ice cube trays, fill with water, and freeze.

  
  

Cooling Stations

Fill a baby bath or shallow paddling pool with cool water for your dog to wade in. Freeze water in a large bowl (three-quarters full) and place it beside your dog's regular bowl. As it melts, they'll have cool water all day.

Other Cooling Solutions

Use cooling mats or drape wet towels over your dog. Both provide instant relief from heat.

Maple swimming in our local waterhole in the Blue Mountains with proper paw protection in her PODs Dog Boots - she wears size M and these are wet but they are the Olive Green.

Make sure you prepare for an outing with your dog and take a Walkies Bag with you with all of their essentials to make sure they are happy, hydrated, and comfortable in the elements.

Include a pet travel water bottle in your Walkies Bag to offer clean, fresh water when needed. We have waterproof 2-in-1 Treat and Walkies Bags and Denim Walkies Bags in different colours.

Waxed Canvas travel bowls hold both solids and liquids, are foldable and easy to carry when on the go. We also have collapsible silicone travel bowls that are so easy to fit in your Walkies Bag or clip to your dog's leash, belt loop, or backpack.

What to Do If You See Dogs in Hot Cars

1. Call emergency services immediately (000 in Australia, 911 in the USA, 999 in the UK).

2. Note the car's location, make, model, and registration.

3. Find the owner—ask shops to make announcements.

4. Stay with the dog and monitor for heat stroke symptoms.

5. Take photos/videos documenting the situation.

   
   

In many countries, breaking a window to rescue a dog in distress may be legally justified, but always contact the police first.

Try to locate the owner, take photos and document the situation. If there are signs of distress in the dog, call emergency services if you see a dog trapped in a vehicle on a hot day. You can break the window to get the dog out of the vehicle, but it's best to contact the Police first before doing so.

Summer Safety Guide Checklist for Dogs

✓ Never leave dogs in hot cars above 20°C (68°F)

✓ Use the 7-second test before walks on hot pavement

✓ Walk early morning or late evening only

✓ Invest in dog boots for hot surfaces

✓ Make frozen treats to keep dogs cool

✓ Provide cooling stations like baby baths

✓ Know heat stroke warning signs

✓ Keep water available at all times

Remember: If hot pavement is too hot for your hand for 7 seconds, it's too hot for your dog. When in doubt, stay indoors with air conditioning during extreme heat.

Think of ways to help keep your pet cool at home as well as when out on adventures this summer.