06-04-2014, 09:41 PM
There's one thing some people need to understand, and that is it doesn't even need to be a baking hot day, for it to be dangerous to leave a dog in a car. Even on a relatively cool day, if there is sun on the car, it heats up pretty quickly inside. The temperature inside the vehicle is much higher than the outside temperature. Cracking windows open doesn't help enough either.
Another point to bear in mind is parking under shade. That is not a good idea either, as what was shade at midday can be full sun by twelve thirty. And even under shade on a hot day, it can be too warm inside a vehicle.
Dogs' systems are not geared to cope with heat. We can cope in heat much better than they can, as we can sweat all over our bodies, whereas they can't. Although they can sweat a tiny bit through their paws, the only way they can regulate their temperature is by panting, and this can easily be overwhelmed.
Another point to bear in mind is parking under shade. That is not a good idea either, as what was shade at midday can be full sun by twelve thirty. And even under shade on a hot day, it can be too warm inside a vehicle.
Dogs' systems are not geared to cope with heat. We can cope in heat much better than they can, as we can sweat all over our bodies, whereas they can't. Although they can sweat a tiny bit through their paws, the only way they can regulate their temperature is by panting, and this can easily be overwhelmed.
