Dog in a Car with Windows Down: When Is It Too Hot?

There is no outdoor temperature that makes it safe to leave your dog alone in a parked car, even with the windows down. On a mild day, sunlight can heat the cabin quickly, while cracked windows do little to keep it cool; at 70°F or above, treat a parked car as an immediate heat risk rather than a place to wait.

A car can trap heat faster than moving air through partly open windows can remove it, especially when it is parked in direct sun. Shade, cloud cover, and a breeze can change, so they are not reliable safeguards if you step away from your dog.

If your errand does not allow dogs, leave your dog safely at home or bring another adult who can stay with your dog outside the parked car. During a road trip, plan stops where you can take your dog with you, offer water, and keep the vehicle cooled while you are both inside it.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating what to do instead.

Heavy panting, excessive drooling, weakness, vomiting, or confusion can signal that your dog is overheating; collapse is an emergency. Move your dog to a cooler area, begin cooling with cool—not icy—water, and contact a veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating watch for signs of overheating.

The same basic rule applies when you travel with other pets: do not leave an animal waiting in a parked vehicle while you run an errand. If you are preparing for a feline road trip, our How to Travel with a Cat in the Car eBook guide is a place to start planning that trip.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating plan for every pet in the car.