It seems with increasing frequency we are hearing reports of dogs dying in hot cars. It’s such a tragedy that doesn’t need to happen. I know we all get forgetful sometimes and we’re busy and we have things to do. But if it’s hot out and you’re that distracted, don’t take your dog with you. Even cracking open the windows don’t help lower the temperature much.
The latest case is the CEO of the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The story says her husband put her dog in the car as she was getting ready for work and neglected to tell her. Apparently she took the dog to work often. It wasn’t until around noon that she realized the dog was in the car and had been out there for four hours. The temperature outside the car had reached 91° by that time. This poor dog was 16 years old, blind and deaf. I can’t imagine the terror this dog must have felt during those last few hours.
If you have to take your dog in the car with you on a warm day there are some things you can do to help remind you the dog is there. Some people have their dogs ride in the passenger seat next to them, in which case they’re more likely to remember that the dog is traveling with them. And that’s okay as long as you don’t have an airbag and your dog is on a seatbelt. But if you have an airbag on the passenger side he should not be riding up there, he should be in the back seat, belted in for his safety. They make some very nice dog seat belts you can find on the internet or at your local pet supply store. But with the dog in the back seat it makes it less likely you’ll will remember that he’s there, especially if he’s quiet. So what are some things you can do to remember that your dog is in the back seat? Put something there that you’re going to need once you get to your destination. For example, if you have a briefcase or purse put it on the floor of the back seat so that you have to open the back door to get your purse, and thus you will see your dog. Please note, if you have any sugar free gum or candies in your purse remove them first. Many sugar free things have Xylitol in them, which is toxic to your pet.
I drive a truck with a shell and my cages are in the back, which means that I have to do something else to remember my dog is back there. Sometimes you have to be creative to help yourself remember things. For example, if you have a ring with a stone on it you can turn it so that the stone is now facing your palm. Then when you get to your destination you’ll ask yourself why your ring is backward, and that will jog your memory and help you remember your dog is in the back. You can do anything out of the ordinary so that when you get to where you’re going to ask yourself why is this different? Why did I do this differently today?
Sometimes when I have something that I really need to remember I will write myself a note and put it on my dashboard right in front of my speedometer. That way when I’m driving I see the note every time I look down. Also when I get to where I’m going I look down to take my keys out of the ignition and there it is, in big writing right before my face, so I can’t forget. I also have a couple of watches that have alarms on them and I’ll set those alarms for about the time I expect to be at my destination. Do something, anything different to call your attention to your pet.
In addition, when it’s hot outside the best times to walk your dog are early morning and later in the evening. Even if he gets into trouble if he doesn’t get his walk there are other ways to burn off that energy. Or you can wait until it gets cooler outside to walk him. Dogs can feel the heat from the pavement on their feet, and it doesn’t feel any better to them than it would to you. If you put your hand on the ground and can’t hold it there for 5 seconds then it’s too hot for your dog’s feet. And remember, the black pavement is hotter than the cement.
Regardless of how much water you bring for your dog to drink it is imperative to know that a dog suffering from heat stroke won’t drink anyway. When it is humid outside your dog is also more susceptible to heat stroke. Short muzzled dogs like Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs, Yorkies, Maltese, etc… are all more prone to heat stroke as well. Heat stroke can be deadly, so don’t just think if you splash water on your dog he’ll be fine. Once a dog’s temperature reaches a certain point you need veterinary intervention, and your dog may never recover even with that intervention. http://www.doctordog.com/dogbook/dogheat.html
You may also think that a dog riding in the back of an open pickup truck, even if it’s in a wire cage, is getting air so he should be fine. Not so, especially if you have one of those black bed liners which absorb heat oh so well. If you must travel with your pet in a crate in the bed of a truck make certain he has water, or even ice water would be better. I will even freeze the entire water bowl so it melts slowly. If it’s a wire crate you can use bungee cords to strap a big towel to the top so he has some shade. I won’t mention traveling with him in a truck bed without a crate because that’s just too idiotic for words, especially if you only have him attached by his collar, let alone not restrained at all. Just an FYI here, it is illegal in the State of California to have your dog loose in the bed of an open truck.
Our pets depend on us to keep them safe and healthy. That is our main job when taking on the responsibility of a pet.
