Car safety concerns all occupants – humans and animals! It’s not something to be taken lightly either, especially in the summer.
Why? The suffocating heat, of course. Even if you are away for a short stop at the store, your vehicle has time to turn into a furnace and have tragic consequences for your furry companion.
In fact, according to a new UK study, even mild weather conditions can pose a big risk. At 21 degrees Celsius, for example, the interior temperature of a car left in the sun can more than double – 45 degrees – in just one hour.
If it’s 30 degrees outside, the cabin will reach that heat in just 20 minutes and drop to 54 degrees after an hour. Can you imagine hell?
Since dogs can’t sweat like humans, they have to stick their tongues out to try to cool off, but it’s an exercise that proves to be less and less effective as the temperature rises.
Other tips to protect animals from the heat: run the air conditioner, making sure that the cold air gets to the back seat or the trunk where your four-legged friend is. Ideally, install sun screens on the rear side windows or a cool carpet under the animal. Also, always carry a bottle or bowl of water with you to prevent dehydration.
Finally, breaks to stretch along the way are essential, but beware of the asphalt which can be hot! Place the back of your hand on the surface for seven seconds; if it’s too hot for you, it’s also too hot for your pet’s paws. Better to find a grassy place.