Dogs in hot cars

Posted 2nd August 2009

Unlike people, dogs and cats cannot sweat and have to rely on panting to keep them cool. It is therefore very important to ensure that your pet does not overheat and that it is kept out of the sun's rays whether in a stationary or moving vehicle. With the recent news of dogs that have died when left in hot cars, here are some tips to prevent this tragedy:

• Plan ahead - try and travel early in the morning or in the evening when it is cooler.

• Provide your pet with shade from the sun. Car blinds for this purpose (as used for children or babies) are widely available.

• Make sure that there is plenty of air circulation in the car.

• Pack a bottle of water and a drinking bowl for your pet and offer it frequent drinks.

• Make regular stops to give your pet a drink of water and a chance to sit in a cool shady position. If your pet does become overheated and appears to be in distress you should try and cool it down immediately by taking the following steps:

• Take the animal to a cool shady place.

• Spray cold water on it to reduce its temperature and fan cold air over it to speed up the heat loss.

• Never immerse your pet in water, however you can dip its legs in cool water.

• Provide the animal with a supply of cool drinking water.

• Contact us immediately.

It is not only cats and dogs that become overheated. The same applies to animals in cages or fish in an aquarium, as placing these in windows sills or in direct sunlight could also prove fatal.

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