I don't mean "hot " cars. I mean HOT cars, as in temperature hot. I can't tell you how many times I have seen people leave their dog in the car for "just a few minutes." It is really unbelievable to me when they say, "Oh, he's okay. The windows are cracked an inch and he has water." Think about it...would you be comfortable sitting in the hot car in the direct sun in the middle of a summer day with a dish of water and cracked windows? I guarantee you it is not okay. The cracked window you might have will be when I crack it open to get the dog out. There is also a law against leaving your dog in a hot car .
It is a fact that on a hot, sunny day, a car can become an oven-like death trap. Even temperatures considered mild can lead to death during an extended period of time. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "a locked car sitting in the summer sun quickly turns into an oven, and temperatures can climb from 78 degrees to 100 degrees in just three minutes, to 125 degrees in 6-8 minutes." Even if you think you are going to run in and out, be aware that something could keep you longer than expected, causing the dog to suffer. Please leave your dogs at home during the day and don't take them on errands in the summer.
Since I am on the topic of hot dogs, I would also like talk about walking dogs in the middle of a summer day. I realize that it may be the only time you have, but if it the pavement is too hot for your own bare feet, it is too hot for a dog's paws. Do the test: take off your shoe or sandal and stand on the pavement for ten seconds. If it is too hot and your feet start to burn, that is exactly how it feels to a dog. You have protection, they don't. The best time to enjoy a walk with your dog on a hot day is in the morning before 10:00 or in the evening after 6:00.
There is a "cool" item on the market to keep your dog cool on a hot day. It is a good investment to keep your dog from over-heating when it is hot. It is a cooling bandana. Dog cooling bandanas can help prevent heat exhaustion during those warm summer days. The bandana works to cool your dog as the water evaporates from the bandana while it is on your dog's neck. You can also pour a luke-warm pitcher or bottle of water over your dog before your walk. Work it into his fur and do a quick towel dry to keep the drips from tickling him. It usually dries completely by the time you are back home or ready to get back into the car. Stay cool!