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Leaving a dog inside a hot car is never a good idea, even if it’s just for a few minutes, especially in summer.

Minutes under the heat of a scorching sun can be death traps for anyone, especially inside a metal contraption.

But what if you crack a window open? Is there a safe temperature to leave dogs in the car? How long can dogs survive in a hot car?

Below, let's discuss what happens to dogs in hot cars, fast facts, and safety tips for keeping our dogs cool and safe during hot weather.

RELATED: How Hot Is Too Hot for A Dog?

Temperatures Inside A Hot Car

According to a study by the Department of Geosciences of San Francisco State University, a car's temperature can rise to almost 45 degrees Fahrenheit in just an hour!

Look at the heat chart below, which illustrates how hot it can get inside a vehicle.

Car Temperature Heat Chart

As you can see, the temperature inside the car gets way hotter than outside, causing it to increase rapidly.

The increase is also not gradual, so dogs cannot keep up with the intense heat.

If it can get hot enough to fry an egg inside a parked vehicle, how can we even think our dogs can survive this much heat?

The excuse of leaving your dog in the car for a minute to do an errand can most likely be their last minute alive.

Call it ignorance or otherwise, but leaving your dogs inside a hot car is considered a form of animal cruelty.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) reports hundreds of cases of companion animals left alone inside a car each year.

In 2024, there were 111 deaths and 388 rescues. 2023 was even worse, with 163 deaths and 855 rescues.

As of June 11, 2025, there have already been 12 deaths and 42 rescues.

And yes, even if you crack a window open or leave your dog with water, it’s insufficient to keep their bodies regulated from the heat.

dog inside a hot car in summer

Effects of Leaving Dogs Inside a Hot Car

Too much heat can undoubtedly harm our dogs' health.

Canine Hyperthermia or Heatstroke could be the number one effect of leaving a dog inside a car, especially during summer.

Remember: a dog has a limited internal cooling system!

Unlike humans, who sweat the heat out, dogs can only pant through their mouths. Excessive panting is also highly taxing for them.

Keep an eye out, especially for brachycephalic breeds like Pugs and Bulldogs. These flat-faced dogs are usually more heat-intolerant and suffer negative effects sooner than other breeds.

You should also be cautious of dogs that are too young, old, overweight, or have a history of sickness. They should be kept in a comfortable environment as often as possible.

RELATED: Best Care for Flat-Faced Dog Breeds: Care Tips for Brachycephalic Pups

French Bulldog had heatstrokeSigns of Heatstroke in Dogs

If you happen to see a dog left inside a car on a sunny day, look out for these prominent signs that signify heat stroke.

Noticing one or two of these signs should be enough to alert you and apply immediate first aid to your pet to prevent any serious consequences.

Lethargic symptoms, such as uninterest in playing or walking among dogs, may show two to three days after the incident. Extreme fatigue and increased stress levels are also associated with exposure to high temperatures.

If worse comes to worst, dogs can have brain damage and eventually die from staying long inside hot cars.

dog trapped inside a hot car

How Can You Help a Trapped Dog Inside a Hot Car

If you don’t have dogs, you can advocate if you see a dog inside a hot car. Knowing what to do and what signs to look for may be their only saving grace.

You can contact the local police or animal control and tell them it's an emergency.

Note the vehicle’s distinguishing features. Jot down the car’s color, make, model, and license plate number. You can also request nearby stores to page the vehicle's owner.

Furthermore, drastic measures like breaking car windows are allowable if you follow the proper protocol. This is called the “Good Samaritan Law.”

These acts are done to save the animals inside the car. If you are unsure if your state allows you to do this, call law enforcers or authorized humane officers.

Laws Against Leaving Dogs in Cars

New Law in New York Could Protect Dogs Trapped in Hot Vehicles

About 31 states (plus the District of Columbia) have varying degrees of laws regarding the leaving of animals in cars.

Some of them categorize leaving dogs in enclosed hot cars as a form of animal abuse, which has penalties and corresponding sanctions.

Some states only ban dogs and cats from being left in the car, not necessarily covering other animal companions.

Other states, however, have laws that protect officers or public officials from breaking into a car to rescue a trapped animal.

California, for example, provides immunity to anyone who breaks into a car to save an animal in direct danger from the heat or lack of ventilation.

You can check the existing laws and regulations in your location regarding the leaving of animals in parked vehicles at this link.

Remedies for a Rescued Dog From Inside a Hot Car

There are steps you can take to cool down an overheated dog immediately.

Once a dog from a hot car is rescued, rushing it to the veterinary clinic is the first and most sensible course of action, especially if it collapses, has seizures, or vomits.

If possible, transport the dog in an air-conditioned vehicle to help it regulate its temperature.

But for other symptoms, the following steps might be enough to let them recover:

  1. Lay the dog down in a cool or shaded spot. An air-conditioned building, such as a shopping complex, will suffice.
  2. Pour cool water (cool, not ice cold!) onto the dog to lower the temperature.
  3. Pay extra attention to wetting their ears and paws
  4. If available, allow them to dry off in front of a fan
  5. Continuously monitor their temperature until it lowers to a normal 101°F to 102.5°F (38°C to 39°C)
  6. Let them sip cool water as soon as they can

Once they have regained some energy, it's still best to take them to the vet for further evaluation.

You would want to make sure that there are no complications that happened during their overheating episode.

RELATED: How to Cool Down a Dog: 12 Most Efficient Ways and 5 Dangerous Ones

 

Dogs That Tolerate Heat Better Than Others

Senior dogs with preexisting conditions, brachycephalic dogs, and double-coated dogs are more sensitive to heat, but some canines can tolerate warmer weather.

Most have a single, short coat, a lanky build, and a long snout or nose.

These dogs include:

Read more about each breed in our guide linked below!

However, their physical features and ability to tolerate heat better only give them about five extra minutes before their bodies succumb to the rapid increase in environmental temperature. 

Similar to other dogs, they can still experience dehydration, heatstroke, and untimely death when left inside a hot car, especially in summer.

RELATED: 11 Awesome Dogs That Thrive In The Heat

Dog on hot pavement

Hot Cars and Hot Pavements

In addition to getting trapped inside hot cars, dogs have another nemesis: hot pavements.

Similar to cars, heat rises fast on pavements. Pavement absorbs heat easily, making it hotter than the air temperature. If the breeze is hot, expect the pavement to be even warmer.

Whereas dogs' coats help regulate heat, their paws don't have the same feature.

Before going out on a sunny day, feel the pavement’s temperature first. Press your hand down on the concrete. If it’s too hot for you, then it is definitely much hotter for your dog.

You can also estimate the temperature by feeling the breeze. If it feels too hot for you, it also feels too hot for your dog. A dog's respiratory system is much more limited than that of humans, so it is more heat-sensitive.

With the imminent danger that heated pavements bring to dogs, it’s important to be ready with protective measures.

If it’s impossible to avoid pavements during your routine walks, let your dog wear booties or shoes. It may look funny for some, but safety trumps aesthetics this time.

On a scorching day, choose to skip walking on pavements altogether. As an alternative, you can choose to drive over to the nearest dog park or dog daycare.

Or, you can always choose to stay indoors. Clear some space for them to walk around. If you have a spacious yard, then that’s even better. 

Change your walking schedule to avoid burns during walks. If morning walks are too hot for your dog, opt for afternoon strolls for safer outdoor temperatures.

RELATED: Top 11 Actionable Tips To Protect Dog Paws on Hot Pavement

dog inside hot car with a window cracked open

Safety Tips for Dogs in Cars During Summer

1. Don't leave your dog in the car

This is a no-brainer, but it should still be spelled out: Please don't leave them unattended in a parked car!

Even cracking the windows a couple of inches to “let the air in” still won't make a difference.

In fact, the vehicle interior still heats up just as much as a car with all windows closed! Take the American Veterinary Medical Association's words for that.

2. Bring a companion to watch over the dog

If you really have to bring your dog with you, try to bring another person to watch over it. Leave them in the car with the engine and AC running to make them comfortable.

3. Go to pet-friendly stores

Many pet-friendly stores across the country will accommodate your furry friends as long as they're properly leashed.

Ask the store you're going to, and maybe they'd happily welcome your dog, too!

4. Teach your dog how to exit properly

Sometimes, our dogs can get so excited that they just zoom out of the car and run around. Teach them the ‘wait' command.

This way, you'll have enough time to ensure the surroundings are safe from any possible hazards (like a fast-approaching vehicle) before letting them out.

5. Use a certified and crash-tested leash, crate, or carrier

You must also ensure that your dog is always secured and properly harnessed in a moving car.

This will prevent them from getting too naughty inside (a.k.a. exploring too much and causing distraction) or accidentally getting thrown out of a car.

6. Leave your dog at home

If it can be helped, just leave your pet where it will be the safest—at home!

These are only some of the tips you can follow to help your dogs keep safe in the car in the summer. For more tips and tricks, listen to our podcast here.

Dogs in Cars During Summer: Fast Facts!

Did you know…?

  • Regardless of the temperature outside, a car's internal temperature can rise up to 20° to 30° in minutes
  • Just an additional 2° in a dog's body temperature can already cause heatstroke
  • 15 minutes is all it takes for a dog to die of heatstroke
  • Cars, even parked in a shaded spot, can still heat up to dangerous levels
  • Opening windows doesn't have much of a cooling effect inside a parked vehicle
  • Short-muzzled dogs and those with dark-colored coats are more prone to overheating
  • Leaving a pet inside a parked car is a crime in some states

FAQs About Dogs in Cars

What car temperature is too hot for dogs?

Because it only takes a vehicle interior to heat up to 20° to 30° in minutes, even 60°F can already be quite hot and dangerous for dogs to be left alone inside a car, according to AccuWeather.

Even cracking a window open doesn't affect how high a vehicle's interior temperature could get, regardless of whether it's parked in a shaded place.

The safest thing to do is not to leave your dog unattended in a parked car.

How long will a dog last in a hot car?

Dogs only need an additional 2° in their body temperature to get overheated and a total of 15 minutes to sustain a brain injury and eventually die because of heatstroke.

But that doesn't mean you can go for a 5-minute run inside the convenience store because your dog can survive in the hot car for 15 minutes anyway. No! Just don't risk it.

Also, remember that leaving dogs in a car means jail time in some states!

Do Not Leave a Dog Inside a Hot Car!

Leaving dogs inside cars on a hot day is an act of animal harm.

There is no safe temperature for dogs to be left alone in a car, especially a parked one. That is a fact.

Leaving them on their own can cause severe and irreversible damage.

So remember always to be cautious, take necessary precautions, and safely enjoy the rest of the hot weather with your dog.

Also, let’s do our part to save more dogs from avoidable deaths. Continue to look out for and educate dog owners about their responsibility!

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Dog Inside A Hot Car

Cody Griffin
Cody has worked and volunteered with rescue animals her entire life. She worked as a veterinary assistant and technician in shelters, rescues, boarding facilities, doggy daycares and animal hospitals in New York and Chicago throughout her teens and twenties, and now resides as a pet foster mom in Upstate New York.