Now that the summer months have left us for another year, it is important to remember that it doesn’t necessarily mean it is safe to leave your dog in your car. It only takes minutes for a pet left in a vehicle on a warm day to fall victim to heat stroke, requiring a visit from your mobile vet in Los Angeles. The worst case scenario is suffocation. Most people don’t realize how hot it can in a parked car on a balmy day. However, on a 78 degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the shade can exceed 90 degrees and hit around 160 degrees if parked in the sun! Rolling down a window or parking in the shade doesn’t guarantee protection either, since temperatures can still climb into the “danger zone.” Not to mention if the window is rolled down too far, your dog could escape.

Animals are not able to sweat like humans do. Dogs cool themselves by panting and sweating through their paws. If they have only hot air to breathe, animals can collapse, suffer brain damage, and possibly die. Fifteen minutes is all it takes for an animal’s body temperature to climb from a normal 102.5 to deadly levels that will damage the nervous and cardiovascular systems, leaving the animal comatose, dehydrated, and at risk of permanent impairment. Although it may seem like a harmless outing for you and your pooch to enjoy time together, it could turn tragic in an instant. If you cannot take your pet everywhere you are going, it is best to leave them safely at home.