Almost all of us are facing record heat right now, whether we consider it the hottest summer we've ever experienced or the coolest summer of the rest of our lives. This is a double challenge for dog owners, especially those of us who want to involve our pups in summer activities.
Dogs die in hot cars and trucks
Dogs begin to experience life-threatening heat stroke when their internal temperature reaches 105.8 degrees. There are many variables, but in hot weather, a parked car can exceed that temperature in less than 10 minutes, even if the windows are closed or parked in the shade. This is a risk that all dog owners and caretakers must always keep in mind. Never leave your dog in a parked car without the air conditioning running, even for a short period of time.
The same issue also affects dogs that travel in pickup beds, whether they're capped, camper-clad, or left open. Unlike humans, dogs do not have the ability to sweat. They do not cool the body by evaporation from the skin. Therefore, dogs are still at risk of overheating from sun exposure if kept in an unshaded area, such as an open pickup bed. Bed caps, toppers, and campers can also quickly reach dangerous temperatures.
GoFastCampers (GFC), a Montana-based company that manufactures ultralight truck bed campers that clamp onto vehicle bed rails and house 4 inches of solar radiation-reflecting insulation under a white roof. ) found that despite the roof being covered, the bed area warmed up more slowly and was less severe than the cab of the truck it was installed in; Parking in the hot sun for long periods of time still reached dangerous levels.
Gunner Kennels, which makes premium, ultra-safe dog crates, has discovered that the interior of their crates can operate at 15 degrees cooler than ambient temperature, even when exposed to direct sunlight. But now, temperatures in vast areas of the country are well above safe levels for dogs. And those temperatures can be even higher where we park our cars and trucks, such as in black parking lots where asphalt traps and radiates heat. Even if the ambient temperature is 75 degrees, pavement can quickly reach 125 degrees when exposed to direct sunlight and radiate that heat upwards more than 6 feet.
GFC found that the internal temperature of the camper and bed topper returned to ambient temperature as soon as the vehicle was driven, and that the side panels had cracks to facilitate airflow. Pick-up beds, caps, campers, and kennels don't need to be considered as heat protection, but they may be helpful in reducing the heat exposure your dog faces.
There are many wireless, battery-powered thermometers that can help you monitor the temperature inside your crate or pickup bed. But while they can prove to be valuable tools, nothing beats being there with your dog. (If you're hot, they're hotter.)
Heat brings another risk to traveling with dogs
Encounter with blue green algae
The combination of high temperatures and fertilizer runoff can lead to the growth of cyanobacteria, which can be fatally toxic to dogs. Avoid unfamiliar lakes, ponds, or other slow-flowing water sources. Watch out for strange colored water (it doesn't have to be blue-green) or bad odors. Pay close attention to signs and talk to local dog owner groups on social media to get warnings about areas prone to blue-green algae.
Exposure to hazardous chemicals
Filling up your car or charging your electric vehicle at a gas station frequently poses a dilemma for dog owners. You don't want to leave it in a hot car, but chemical pollution can also accumulate in the forecourt of a gas station. If you let your dog out of the car at the pump or charger, your dog may walk across oil or coolant spills, then lick his paws and ingest the toxin. Instead, drop your dog off with a human co-pilot in a safe location (such as the surrounding grass) before filling up, or open the windows and stay close to your car and dog. It then quickly moves to the grass around it before unloading. Alternatively, give your dog a bathroom break somewhere else.
unexpected humidity
Dogs lower their body temperature by exhaling and evaporating water from their lungs. High humidity can prevent that evaporation and impair your dog's ability to cool down.
Scheduling exercises
Try to limit your dog's exercise during the hottest parts of the day. Change the time of your walks to early morning and evening hours and make sure you always have plenty of water to drink.
excessive fluid intake
Visiting the beach? Dogs love swimming in the ocean or lake, but naughty dogs can ingest large amounts of water in the process. This can cause toxicity, especially if the water contains salt or chemicals. A similar thing happens if there is too much fresh water.
Find an emergency veterinarian
A few weeks ago, while traveling, I needed a veterinarian emergency in the middle of the night. Google gave me several options, but all were more than 3 hours away. Before heading in their direction, I always called them to make sure they were open and that they were equipped to handle an emergency. In case you find yourself in a similar situation, here is a list of pet hospitals that are accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.
Burnt feet on hot asphalt
Pavement temperatures in Phoenix have reached more than 150 degrees this month. This is hot enough to burn the sensitive exposed skin of your dog's paws.
harmful insect repellent spray
The two most common ingredients in bug sprays, DEET and picaridin, are both toxic to dogs.
How to travel with your dog: Build your own ultimate Pupmobile
So how do you keep your dog safe when traveling in the heat? I heavily customized my pickup truck for just that purpose. When I say I’m a crazy dog person, this is what I mean. Really That means. You may not need or want to go this far, but I think there are some tips for everyone here.
Adjust idling and air conditioning functions
The first and most important factor when choosing a dog-friendly car is whether it can be driven for extended periods of time with the air conditioning running and whether the condition of the vehicle can be monitored remotely. Thankfully, this is becoming easier with modern technology. My XLT-spec Ford Ranger is equipped with remote start, but the key must be in the ignition for the air conditioner to fully operate. Fortunately, I can still lock and unlock my vehicle's doors through the Ford Pass smartphone app, and I can also see if my vehicle is running with a quick glance at my phone. Some high-end luxury cars and electric cars also allow you to remotely monitor and adjust the interior temperature with an app.
I'm always reluctant to leave my dog alone, but this gives me a lot of peace of mind when I'm running errands. A few weeks ago, my wife and I had to change our travel plans in the middle of a trip to visit a dying family member several states away. We already had a dog with us and our time was limited so we couldn't easily board him. The visit was made possible because we were able to load the kids into a reliably air-conditioned taxi while we spent several hours inside the nursing home.
It may not always be easy to determine exactly how long, or how well, a new car or truck can idle with the air conditioning running. When shopping, be sure to research this feature and be aware that it can vary by trim level and even specific options. Ask your dealer for a demonstration and verify functionality over a realistic period of time in your home before relying on it.
Ditch your SUV and get a truck.
I also prefer a pickup truck to an SUV for transporting dogs for several reasons. The first is that you get plenty of luggage space. I use it to carry 10 gallons of water and has a battery operated faucet. It may sound like overkill, but in addition to giving your dog plenty of water, if your dog shows signs of overheating, it's enough to thoroughly wet it. And all this plus shaking also happens in the bed without damaging the upholstery.
2: You can drive an ultra-light truck camper. Not only does the GoFastCamper provide a safe place to transport your dirty, wet dog during mild weather or short drives, but it's also a transport that can be set up anywhere from a trailhead here in town to a beach in Mexico. We also provide formula shade structures. Opening the side and rear lift panels creates a portable cabana of sorts. When set up this way, it's cool enough inside the bed that your dog can actually jump in there and relax on hot afternoons. And it does that while staying well within the payload range of my midsize pickup.
More safety tips when traveling with a dog
Protect your dog in the event of a collision
I also equipped both this pickup truck and my wife's Land Cruiser with dog barriers that can prevent forward movement in the event of a collision. I am also careful to keep my dog on a leash while driving. Paired with a Ruffwear front range harness that keeps the force of the leash away from your dog's neck, an ultra-strong custom climbing rope leash and a strength-rated locking carabiner, this setup makes sure you're as safe as possible on the road. (Also, always carry a dog first aid kit with you when traveling.)
Monitor risks outside the vehicle
This brings us to a final note regarding dog safety. Moving your dog from a hot car to a cool, shady area (make sure to have water available) while shopping, eating, etc. is often the easiest way to keep your dog cool. However, you are also exposed to other risks. Although no one will succeed in stealing, my As with dogs, you need to worry about children trying to get close to your dog or that your puppy might become a nuisance if he gets angry about something and starts barking or howling.
Conclusion: Traveling with dogs is complicated
I think the conclusion here is clear. It may be possible to make traveling in extreme heat safer for dogs, but it requires constant vigilance, a lot of preparation, and a lot of effort. In most cases, it's easier to leave it at home.
