{"id":2434,"date":"2022-06-20T07:00:19","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T07:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/?p=2434"},"modified":"2025-07-15T12:42:27","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T16:42:27","slug":"hot-pavements-hot-cars-hot-seasons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/hot-pavements-hot-cars-hot-seasons\/","title":{"rendered":"Dogs in Hot Cars and on Hot Pavement"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Avoid Heatstroke\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Lg2qdkqqLwc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Dogs in Hot Cars<\/h2>\n<h3>Why Are Hot Cars Dangerous to Dogs?<\/h3>\n<p>When pets love to take car rides, it can be hard to resist their excitement when they know their owner is going for a ride. Their wagging tails and smiles that come after they hear their owners putting on shoes and grabbing the car keys are easy to give into. But when it&#8217;s summertime and the sun is scorching, it&#8217;s best to leave your furry friends at home if possible. Going from point A to point B with your pup is OK, but if you have to leave your pet in the car for even a few minutes, it can be hazardous.\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Leaving your pet inside a locked vehicle is an extremely dangerous practice.\u00a0While a quick trip to\u00a0the store is\u00a0undoubtedly more fun with your furry co-pilot,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0safest to leave them at home unless\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0headed to a pet-friendly facility.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In general, it is safe to leave your pet for 5 minutes or less when the temperature outside is between 32-70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have to take your dog with you when running an errand, lock the car door, crack multiple windows, park your car in a shaded spot within your visual distance and make your trip fast, no more than a few minutes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A car is\u00a0essentially a\u00a0heat conductor and will rise to temperatures above 115 degrees Fahrenheit within 30 minutes.\u00a0Dogs can experience signs of heat exhaustion when their internal temperature rises to\u00a0103 degrees; panting, drooling, muscle tremors, abnormally colored gums,\u00a0weakness or vomiting can all be signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>What Do I Do if I See a Dog in a Locked Car?<\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you\u00a0witness\u00a0an unsupervised pet in a vehicle, write down the make, model and license plate information. You can\u00a0attempt\u00a0to locate the owner by stopping inside the nearest business and asking for help. If the owner\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0promptly\u00a0located, the next step is to call the authorities. Many states issue fines or\u00a0have other legal consequences for leaving pets in locked, unattended cars.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In our pet-centric world,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0not difficult to find stores that welcome well-behaved, leashed pets as guests. Some even offer their visitors special treats and attention. Here is\u00a0a\u00a0list of\u00a0most\u00a0retailers to be pet-friendly and encourage their patronage:\u00a0Petco,\u00a0Home Depot,\u00a0Lowes,\u00a0Tractor Supply Co, Nordstrom, The Apple Store, Bass Pro Shops, Pottery Barn, LUSH,\u00a0Orvis, Old Navy, The Gap,\u00a0TJ Maxx,\u00a0Petsmart,\u00a0and Macy\u2019s.\u00a0Other stores and restaurants permit\u00a0pets\u00a0on\u00a0outdoor patios. It\u2019s\u00a0a good habit to always call ahead, though, as even some pet-friendly chains have local restrictions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18909\" src=\"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BLOG_CTA-GRAPHIC-Pet-Services-2.webp\" alt=\"Pet Butler learn more about our services banner. We offer the following pet services: pet waste removal, pet care, and commercial services. Image is of a Pet Butler employee smiling and laughing hugging a white Labrador retriever dog.\" width=\"1500\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BLOG_CTA-GRAPHIC-Pet-Services-2.webp 1500w, https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BLOG_CTA-GRAPHIC-Pet-Services-2-625x125.webp 625w, https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BLOG_CTA-GRAPHIC-Pet-Services-2-825x165.webp 825w, https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/BLOG_CTA-GRAPHIC-Pet-Services-2-768x154.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Dogs on Hot Pavement<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In general, the darker the road surface, the more sunshine and heat it will absorb. That makes black asphalt one of the more dangerous surfaces on which to stroll. Artificial turf also absorbs a considerable amount of heat. White concrete or grass, with the cool dirt underneath, are safer places to hike. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">One good rule of paw: if\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0too hot for your hand,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0too hot for your hound! You can test the safety of the surface by placing the\u00a0backside\u00a0of your hand against it. Wait 7 seconds. If your hand is uncomfortable and you need to move it away, it is too hot for your pet\u2019s feet. For a frame of reference, an ambient temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit will heat the pavement to 125 degrees.<\/span>\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"auto\">At 87 degrees, it reaches a\u00a0scalding\u00a0143 degrees! Ouch!\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Skin destruction and burns occur at 125 degrees\u00a0Fahrenheit in just 60 seconds. First-degree burns of the paw pad epidermal layer result in redness and pain but tend to resolve in a few days. Pain control and cool compresses can help soothe the affected area. Second- and third-degree burns damage more layers of the skin and\u00a0subcutaneous\u00a0tissue. These burns result in blistering, peeling, infection,\u00a0pain\u00a0and sometimes permanent loss of sensation in the affected area. They are best treated by a veterinarian and can take weeks to months to heal.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How Do I Protect My Pet&#8217;s Paws From Hot Pavement?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can protect your dog\u2019s feet by\u00a0steering clear of\u00a0midday walks, choosing safer surfaces, looking for shaded areas or\u00a0providing\u00a0mechanical protection for their paws like dog booties or socks. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Paw balms such as <a href=\"https:\/\/musherssecret.com\/\">Musher\u2019s Secret<\/a>\u00a0can\u00a0provide\u00a0a bit of a barrier from the elements while soothing dry, cracked paws. They are best to nourish feet but\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0provide\u00a0complete protection your pet&#8217;s skin needs on\u00a0a hot day. Rubber booties or those with a latex bottom are best outdoors. Not only do they\u00a0provide\u00a0traction, but the rubber soles protect delicate feet. Find a pair that fits well without causing\u00a0constriction\u00a0or\u00a0chafing. Ideally, find booties or socks that are machine washable. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At Pet Butler, we strive to keep pets healthy whether it&#8217;s by providing guidance on how to stay safe during the summer heat or by cleaning up their waste. Learn about our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/services\/\">poop scooping services and more<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dogs in Hot Cars Why Are Hot Cars Dangerous to Dogs? When pets love to take car rides, it can be hard to resist their excitement when they know their owner is going for a ride. Their wagging tails and smiles that come after they hear their owners putting on shoes and grabbing the car [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":19271,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"slim_seo":{"title":"Dogs in Hot Cars and on Hot Pavement - Pet Butler","description":"One good rule of paw: if it\u2019s too hot for your hand, it\u2019s too hot for your hound! An ambient temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit will heat the pavement to 125 degrees. At 87 degrees, it reaches a scalding 143 degrees!"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[135,36,204,24,25,205],"class_list":["post-2434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pet-safety","tag-heatstroke","tag-dog-safety","tag-summer-tips","tag-pet-tips","tag-pet-wellness","tag-summer"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2434"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2434\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19271"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petbutler.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}