Dog locked in a car: What to do?
Anny ShahWe've all seen it or heard it: A dog locked in a car. What should you do and what should you not do? Because a stationary car quickly becomes a greenhouse on a summer day. A dog locked in a car can quickly become overheated and unconscious. What should you do if you see this? Read it quickly in our blog!
Why is a dog locked in a car so dangerous?
It often seems quite harmless, leaving a dog in the car for a few minutes while you quickly go to the store, but it is much more dangerous than many people realize.
It takes less than six minutes for your four-legged friend to suffer heat stroke and die in a warm car. Dogs pant to cool themselves and regulate their internal body temperature. Because the inside temperature of the car can double in just ten minutes, a dog can succumb to the heat before its owner returns to the car.
Unfortunately, it is still far too common these days, especially in the summer months. That's why it's essential to never leave your pet in a locked car, even if you think you'll only be gone for a minute. It is always not recommended not only on sunny days, but also on cloudy and rainy days. If you think that with the air conditioning on and/or windows open it is fine, think again, because this is not the case. From an outside temperature of 15 to 20 degrees it can be extremely dangerous for our four-legged friends.
What to do if I find a dog in a car?
If you ever find a dog locked in a car, act quickly, because the time you take is vital.
First check whether the car doors are locked. Write down the make, model, color and license plate of the car, or take photos with your phone. Call the animal police of the country you are in or the emergency number (112). Warn people and companies in the area, they may be able to quickly track down the owner.
Always wait for instructions from the police before you break the windows of a car. If you do so without instructions because there is a life-threatening situation, arrange for witnesses or film the whole thing. The rescued four-legged friend must immediately go to the vet for emergency treatment. Certainly do not use ice packs or loose ice to cool the dog, as this can lead to effects such as super-rapid hypothermia. Instead of using ice, use water or a towel cooled with water, preferably in the shade.
How to recognize overheating in a dog?
A dog that overheats will first pant and drool (excessively). The dog becomes lethargic and apathetic. If the dog feels warm and has red mucous membranes, the dog is most likely overheated. Eventually the dog becomes unconscious. You can cool a dog that is overheated by briefly dabbing it with a cold, wet hand target. It is not recommended to wrap this around the dog, as this will only make dogs feel warmer. Re-wet the towel regularly and always give the dog sufficient, small sips of water.
On holiday with the dog?
If you do take the dog with you in the car , such as going on holiday or to the vet, always choose an optimal route. These may be longer, but this means you choose the most dog-friendly locations where the dog can go and does not have to remain in the car. Always make sure you have enough water in an easy-to-use drinking bottle .
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