Leaving your dog in your car is not the smartest decision, however, sometimes you might not have a choice. Generally, it is really difficult to find accommodation that is dog-friendly, especially when it comes to hotels, so if you are traveling alone, your only option would be to lock your dog in your vehicle. But, can dogs really stay in a car overnight, and is it actually legal to do this kind of thing?
In general, leaving your dog in a car is illegal in many states across the US, but it is also not safe to do so. Dogs can be left in a car for a certain amount of time if you provide a good temperature and ventilation inside of it. But, leaving your pet in a car overnight is not really an option.
This article is mainly focused on the safety measures that need to be taken into consideration when leaving your dog in a car. You will read how much time it is safe to leave your pet alone in a car, and whether it is possible for them to stay in a vehicle for a whole night. You should be aware of the risks that might arise when you leave a dog in a car, so you would know what you are dealing with.
Is It OK To Leave Your Dog In A Car?
Usually, it is not recommended to leave any kind of pet in a car unattended since there are some factors that are considered dangerous in relation to pets. Nonetheless, you have probably seen that a lot of people do not have problems leaving their dogs in a car for some time. Generally, it is considered safe to leave your dog in a car for a particular amount of time providing that the weather and the temperatures outside are suitable enough for you to do this.
Sometimes, you do not have another option but to leave your pet inside your vehicle until you run a quick errand or something like that. Therefore, if you come across a situation like this, you need to know the proper ways in which your dog will be safe for the time that they will be left unattended. You need to bear in mind that they are also living beings that require special care in order to feel comfortable and secure.
So, you should firstly think about the ventilation inside your car. You will need to crack a window open if you intend to leave your dog in your car, and if the weather is sunny and hot, you should try to park your car in a shade. This is especially important during the scorching summer days since dogs cannot really stand the heat, not to mention the exposure to the sun for some time.
Furthermore, make sure that you mind the time while your dog is left inside your car unattended. You may think that you will run your errand quickly, but many times, a 5-minute errand turns into something significantly longer. In these cases, you should postpone your errand instead of leaving your dog to wait in the car since it could get really unpleasant for them.
On the other hand, if someone is accompanying you on the ride, you should ask them to stay with your dog. When you have the option to leave someone else in the car with your pet, make sure that you go for that option. It is always safer to have someone to look after your canine than to leave them unattended.
Can A Dog Stay In A Car Overnight?
To leave your dog in a car to run a quick errand is one thing, but to leave them for a whole night is absolutely different. Firstly, this is not considered safe at all, and it is not legal in many states across the US. Leaving a dog in a car is considered animal cruelty, so if you do so, you should expect that you might have to deal with the authorities if someone reports you.
Also, you might find your window broken in an attempt for the dog to be rescued, therefore, it would be not wise to leave your pet in a car overnight. In addition, it is not safe for the health of the pet since temperatures can really change during the night, and your pet can easily become ill. So, it is recommended that you never leave your dog unattended in a car, especially for the whole night.
However, sometimes you might not have another choice and you will be forced to do this. For instance, if you travel alone, you might not be able to find accommodation that is pet-friendly, so you will have to leave your pet in a car for the night. If something like this happens, you should check on your dog regularly and make sure that the car conditions are suitable for them.
What Is Safe Temperature To Leave A Dog In A Car?
You need to remember that a car is like a tin can, and it can get extremely hot or extremely cold in a matter of minutes. This is the main reason why pets are not left in a vehicle without the most necessary reason.
If the weather is hot and sunny, safe temperatures in which a dog can survive are between 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you still need to take into consideration that it can quickly get really hot, so you should crack the windows open so there is proper ventilation inside the vehicle. If the weather is cold outside, you should remember that it can easily get freezing, and temperatures under 40 degrees are not regarded as safe.
As you could see, leaving a dog in the car is not only a bad idea, but it is also not legal. Therefore, you should always try to find another option so you would not put the life of your dog in danger.
