Keeping Pets Cool

by AUTONATIONAL RESCUE

Concerned at the rising incidences of dogs locked in parked cars, Ronan Hart of car breakdown service Autonational Rescue, says: "Common sense tells most people that leaving their pet inside a parked vehicle, particularly on a hot day, is dangerous.

"But most people just don't realise that the temperature can soar in just a few minutes causing distress to the animal and, in some cases, even death.

"The temperature inside the car might not seem excessive when you first stop but inside a stationary car it can rapidly increase to double the outside temperature within six to ten minutes.

"Thankfully it's the type of rescue we're rarely called on to make. Other emergency services or the public themselves are normally first on the scene, but countless dogs die every year after their owners leave them in parked cars for long or short periods of time, thinking they're safe but not realising the dangers.

"Leaving your dog in a parked car even for a few minutes can have tragic results," added Ronan, Autonational's marketing manager.

Studies have shown that on an 85-degree Fahrenheit day (29oC) for example, the temperature inside a car, even with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees (nearly 39oC) within ten minutes.

After thirty minutes, pets are in danger of heat stroke. Even on hot and humid days, the temperature in a car parked in direct sunlight can quickly become lethal.

The advice is simple. Never leave your dog in a parked car on a warm day, even for a few minutes.

Leaving the window open a few inches, parking in the shade, or even leaving the dog a bowl of water is not the answer. And owners who put their pets at risk are liable to prosecution.

Pets, more so than humans, are susceptible to overheating. Dogs, for example, are designed to conserve heat, and the sweat glands on their nose and the pads are inadequate for cooling during hot days.

Panting and drinking water helps cool them, but if they only have overheated air to breathe, dogs can quickly suffer brain and organ damage - especially the short-nosed breeds, like pugs and bulldogs, young pets, older dogs or pets with weight, respiratory, heart or other health problems.

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