It only takes a matter of minutes for things to turn tragic when a dog is left in a hot car. (Photo Courtesy of Bob Schneider)

By Chris Brown

Summer reminder

Leave dogs at home, not in a hot car

Jul 9, 2020 | 4:36 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – As the mercury rises in July and August so do the body temperatures of our four-legged friends. Add in leaving them in a car for an extended period and the result can be tragic.

“As we know cars get hot very, very quickly and pets don’t lose their heat the way humans do,” says Tammy Duggan, director of administration at Cypress View Veterinary Clinic. “Dogs don’t sweat and they can only lose their heat through panting and so they can get into distress really quickly. Their body temperature can go up rapidly.”

Short-nosed dogs and overweight dogs are of particular concern, she adds.

As quickly as the temperature inside a car can rise a dog’s anxiety can rise with it, making the problem even worse. It only takes a matter of minutes for a dog to overheat, Duggan says.

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And with all the public health guidelines in place, that quick run into a store can take longer than usual.

Duggan says the solution is simple.

“I think the number one thing to do when it’s so hot outside and you don’t know how hot it’s going to get just leave your pet at home,” she said.

Duggan says there are products available that can help pets who get anxious when are left at home.

“They’re natural products, pheromones that can actually just take the edge off a little bit and let them be at home. It can be their happy place rather than waiting for mom in the car,” she said.

According to Medicine Hat Police Service, anyone who does leave a dog in their car can be fined $250 under the city’s Responsible Animal Ownership bylaw and be charged with leaving an animal in distress under the province’s Animal Protection Act.