It amazes us that the message “No Dogs in Hot Cars” still needs repeating but it obviously does as evidenced by these current events: Dog left in hot car rescued at county jail, Chicago Tribune and 14 dogs die in Roseland when truck’s air conditioning fails from the South Bend Tribune. We wish we could say that here in Florida we know better because we deal with heat all the time but that is not the case. Earlier this month we had a K-9 officer die after being left in a hot patrol car.
So with all that, I am going to share two of my favorite Summer Car Safety Tips for Dog Owners with the hope no dog gets injured in a hot car.
This post is sponsored by Sleepypod. I am being compensated for sharing information about Sleepypod products but Oz the Terrier only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Sleepypod is not responsible for the content of this article.
1. Buckle Up but Don’t Forget Your Pup!
I think we all agree that dogs should be secured while riding in the car. I don’t know about other dogs but Oz is quiet when in the car…actually, he is usually asleep! No matter if your dog is in a crate or is secured with a travel harness like the Sleepypod Clickit Sport, if they are quiet on car rides you may forget that they are there. We use simple reminders like keeping his leash with us in the front seat or placing our bags in the back with Oz to remember that he is there.
2. Protect their Paws (and bottoms and bellies)
Drivers in Florida joke in the summer about having to wear oven mitts to touch the steering wheel. The interior of our cars get super hot to the touch and we cannot even sit down without burning our bums! The same can happen to your dog which is why we try to put Oz in the car only after the air conditioning has kicked in. We also use a seat cover, like Sleepypod Cloudpuff travel blanket, to protect him from the hot leather seats.
Also note when putting your pup in the car with their Sleepypod Clickit: seat belts can be hot too. Don’t buckle up your pup with a hot belt…let the a/c cool it down first.
What tricks do you use to make sure your dog
doesn’t get injured or left in a hot car?
doesn’t get injured or left in a hot car?
Very timely and very sage advice Oz
ReplyDeleteI luffs a car ride don't you?
Loves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
Oz so judging by your comment the Dammit Doll is probably pretty old. MOLMOL Mom wonders if per chance it is an antique. LOL Anyway it surely was discovered at the purrfect time.
ReplyDeleteI only ride in cars at the most 2 times a year in my PTU and mom puts the seat belt all around it too
Hugs madi your bfff
That travel blanket is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteCammie!
This woman is all all about safety. So we are buckled and locked in. Mom is a fanatic about hot cars. That will never be a concern here. She keeps calling the authorities on every buddy else
ReplyDeleteSnorts,
Lily & Edward
Mom spazzes out everytime she hears these terrible stories, how can someone forget their dog or kids..........hers just doesn't understand, one day last month she even called the sheriff cos someone had left their lab in the van with a crack of a window and it was stinkin hot, dumb**** stella rose
ReplyDeleteMom always starts the car to get the A/C cranking before we get in. Those are some great ideas with the leash and bags in the back to remind you OZ is there. Mom doesn't have to worry with me cause I get all excited when the car slows down and we get to where we are going
ReplyDeletehugs
Mabel -
Vote Arty & Mabel - 2016 Arty Party ticket!
It is too hot for us to walk anytime other than early morning or night. We always wear our Pawz and make sure the car is cool before the boys get in their car kennel.
ReplyDeleteLove your tips. I know people say it could happen to anyone, but I am not seeing how. I don't leave my purse behind when I get out of the car. And I don't see how I could leave my dog behind. It's mind boggling.
ReplyDeleteToo bad no matter how often we send out the message there are always those who don't practice it!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
One has to be so careful in extreme heat and cold. We have both and are always as mindful as possible.
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky that we now live in a pretty cool climate...but Mama still doesn't bring us out when it is above 70 degrees! When we lived in Texas we also had to take our walkies WAY early in the morning to avoid ouchie paws!!
ReplyDeleteSmileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Those are really great tips! We don't usually take the dogs anywhere during the summer unless it's a trip specifically for them to go swimming or for a walk, or we wouldn't be leaving the car. Then we know they wouldn't be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets