Hot weather can be tough for pets, especially on car journeys. Leaving a pet in a hot car is dangerous and can lead to heatstroke, serious illness or worse.
Whenever temperatures rise, pets left in hot cars always hit the headlines.
If you need to travel in the car, here's some advice and tips for keeping them safe and happy on the road.
Why it's dangerous leaving your pet in hot cars
Even when it doesn’t feel too warm to you, cars can heat up fast. The RSPCA says if it's 22°C outside, a car can reach 47°C in a car in less than an hour. That's enough to really put your pet in danger.
Unfortunately, it's not illegal to leave your pet in a hot car in the UK.
Under the 2006 Animal Welfare Act, a pet owner can face an animal cruelty charge if a pet dies in a hot car while in their care.
Top tips for travelling with your pet
If you need to take your dog or cat in the car when it's hot, you should:
- keep it cool – open the windows slightly and use aircon
- stop often so you can both stretch and get some fresh air
- make sure they have enough water and food
- bring their favourites like a blanket or toy to help them relax
- pack extras just in case, like food, water and medication if they need it
- make sure they're secure – use a seatbelt harness, carrier or a cage
- if you have a large dog, remember getting them back in the car in the heat can be trickier
Keeping your pet safe out of the car
If you’re stopping along the way, make sure the pavement isn’t too hot for your dog to walk on.
Hot tarmac can burn paws. In hot sun, road surfaces can be much hotter than the air temperature – sometimes over 50°C.
We partnered with the University of Leicester to research the dangers of hot surfaces. Here’s what we found:
| Time of day (GMT) | Air temperature (°C) | Tarmac temperature (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | 21.4 | 39.0 |
| 12:00 | 23.6 | 48.2 |
| 14:00 | 24.9 | 45.1 |
| 16:00 | 25.1 | 50.0 |
We also teamed up with PawSquad to bring you some important statistics about the dangers to your pet during hot days.
In the summer months, they found they had high numbers of queries for blisters, difficulty walking and extreme panting.
Know the signs of heatstroke
Look out for:
- heavy panting
- excessive drooling
- dark or bright red gums
- extreme tiredness
- vomiting and/or diarrhoea
- disorientation
- collapsing
If you spot these signs, cool your pet down gently with water and a fan, and call your vet straight away. Don’t put them in freezing water – it can make things worse.
Following the Highway Code
There's a Highway Code rule on pet car safety that applies in all weather conditions.
Rule 57 of the Highway Code says:
"Pets in cars must be restrained so they don’t distract you or get hurt in an accident. Use a harness, carrier or cage – even if your pet is small or calm.”
Even if your pet is timid or small, you still need to keep them restrained in some way to stop them from distracting you while you're driving.
What to do if you see a pet locked in a hot car
If the pet seems okay:
- take down the car's details
- try contacting the owner if you can
- stay nearby until the owner comes back
- call a pet charity or the police if you think the pet is in danger
If they look distressed:
- call 999 if the pet is unconscious, breathing or panting heavily, vomiting, or lethargic – these are all signs of heatstroke
- only break in if you must – and tell the police first so you don’t get charged with any criminal damage
Advice from PawSquad
By planning ahead and staying alert, you can keep your furry friend safe in the sun and in the car. Their comfort and safety are always worth that bit of extra care.
If it is too hot, PawSquad has some useful advice on how best to help your dog if they’re overheating:
“If you think your dog has heatstroke, move them to somewhere cool. Give them some water and use cool water to dampen their body. Fan them gently.
“As a dog’s body temperature slowly rises, it causes damage to the tissues and organs. In worst cases, heatstroke can cause their organs to shut down, and they can sadly die.
“Even if your pet seems better, call your vet straight away to make sure they don't have any underlying issues.
“By being proactive and caring, you can spare your pet from the dangers of heatstroke. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your pet’s wellbeing.”
