Dog in hot car is a serious summer hazard, even on days that don't feel particularly warm. Boat trips, barbecues and hot surfaces also require a little planning. Here you will find practical advice for a safer summer with your dog and cat, and what to do if something happens.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if:
- the dog or cat has difficulty breathing, becomes unsteady, collapses or seems foggy from heat
- the animal shows signs of overheating after being trapped in a hot car
Remove the animal from the heat and start cooling by running cool water over the body. Moisten through the fur to the skin, keep the water away from the face and ensure air movement. Do not wrap the animal in wet towels. Contact a veterinarian at the same time for advice on further cooling and transport. Call 33 13 98 40 during opening hours. See emergency care at A-VetOutside opening hours: contact the veterinary on duty.
A parked car can get dangerously hot
Sun and lack of ventilation can make a car dangerously hot in a short time. It can also happen in cloudy weather. The shade moves, and windows ajar are no guarantee that the temperature will stay safe. Plan your trip so that your dog or cat does not have to be left in the car.
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority's temperature chart shows how the temperature can rise. It is an illustration, not a calculation of how long it is safe to leave an animal waiting in the car.
| Time | Outside temperature | Shade/sun | Temperature in the car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08.30 | 14 ° C | Shade | 19 ° C |
| 09.30 | 18 ° C | Shade | 38 ° C |
| 10.30 | 20 ° C | Mixed | 47 ° C |
| 11.30 | 20 ° C | Sol | 58 ° C |
| 12.00 | 23 ° C | Sol | 62 ° C |
| 13.30 | 22 ° C | Sol | 85 ° C |
Read the Norwegian Food Safety Authority's advice about dogs in hot cars.
If you find a dog or cat in a hot car
- Try to find the owner quickly, and note the registration number.
- Contact the police if you cannot reach the owner. Explain where the car is and how the animal is acting.
- If the animal is suffering and you cannot contact the owner, police or the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority describes that you can get into the car to help the animal out.
- If there are signs of overheating: move the animal out of the heat, start cooling and contact a veterinarian.
An animal with suspected heatstroke needs veterinary evaluation even if it seems better after cooling. See Symptoms and first aid for heatstroke in dogs.
Heatstroke can also occur outside the car
Dogs can overheat during walks, play or exercise. Adapt the activity to the weather and your dog's health, provide shade and water, and schedule strenuous walks for cooler parts of the day. Short-nosed dogs and dogs that are overweight or ill may be particularly at risk. Read about BOAS and breathing in short-nosed dogs.
Cats can also be affected in warm, enclosed environments. Open-mouth breathing in cats should be taken seriously, especially when accompanied by lethargy or difficulty breathing. Contact your veterinarian immediately for advice.
Boat trips: plan for ventilation, shade and safety
Plan stops where your dog can go ashore, relieve himself, and drink. Have fresh water available and a place in the shade. Also plan how you will get to shore quickly if your dog gets sick.
Wear a well-fitting life jacket, and familiarize your dog with the jacket and the boat before a long trip. A handle can make it easier to help your dog on board. See The rescue company's advice about dogs on boats.
If your dog tries to urinate but no urine comes out, contact your veterinarian immediately. Don't assume that he is holding back just because he is on board.
Barbecue, bones and corn on the cob
Clean up leftover food and trash before your dog has time to help himself. Bones and skewers can damage the digestive tract, and corn on the cob can get stuck and cause intestinal obstruction. A dog that has swallowed a corn on the cob should be evaluated by a veterinarian even if it still appears healthy.
Vomiting, decreased appetite, lethargy, and abdominal pain may be signs of a foreign body. The symptoms and need for treatment vary depending on what was swallowed and where it is located. Do not induce vomiting yourself. Read about dogs swallowing foreign objects og vomiting in dog.
Other summer dangers to know about
- Hot asphalt. Feel the surface before your trip and choose a cooler option if it is uncomfortably warm. The hand test is just a guide, not a guarantee. Read about sore dog paws.
- Blue-green algae. Keep your dog away from water with suspected algae blooms, deposits or accumulations. Clear water is no guarantee of safety. In case of possible exposure: contact a veterinarian immediately. Read about blue-green algae and dog.
- Viper. Keep the animal calm and contact a veterinarian if a bite is suspected. Read about viper bite in dogs and cats.
- Ticks. Check your dog and cat when they are in tick-infested areas. The activity depends on the weather and may continue outside the summer months. See the tick season checklist.
- Sunburn. Light and thinly haired skin needs extra sun protection. Read about sunburn in dogs and cats.
- Wasps, stingrays and toads. Different encounters require different first aid. See the advice on wasp stings, jellyfish stings and toads.
Will the animal come with you on holiday?
Plan transport, breaks and accommodation based on the animal's needs. You can find practical preparations in the guides on travel with dog og travel with cat.
When should a veterinarian be contacted?
Call immediately if there is difficulty breathing, collapse, clearly impaired consciousness, suspected heatstroke or poisoning, or if the animal tries to urinate without success. Also contact quickly if a corn cob, skewer or other risky foreign body has been swallowed, repeated vomiting or clear abdominal pain. Do not wait for all the signs to be present.
RING 33 13 98 40 during opening hours. See emergency care at A-VetOutside opening hours: contact the veterinary on duty.
