Why You Should Never Leave Your Dog Alone in a Car

If you’re running a quick errand, and aren’t allowed to bring your dog inside with you, you may be tempted to lock the car doors and leave them behind for a bit. But it is never safe to do so—even on seemingly mild days, leaving a dog in a parked car carries a serious risk of causing illness or death. 

That’s why the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) offers this simple, emphatic advice: “Never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle, no matter what the outdoor temperature or how long you think you’ll be gone.”

Here are the details.

Cars heat up quickly.

The temperature inside of a parked vehicle rises rapidly, even when it’s not hot out.

The AVMA has a chart on their website detailing these temperature increases, and the takeaway is this: even on a 70-degree day, the inside of a car will reach triple digits in approximately 20 minutes. These temperatures put dogs at a serious risk of heatstroke, which can be fatal.

“Leaving your pet in a parked car, even for a few minutes, can be fatal,” says Alex Schechter, DVM, founder of Burwood Veterinary in Michigan. “Heat builds up fast, and animals can’t cool themselves like we do,” Dr. Schechter explains. “Unfortunately, we see it too often—and it’s a completely avoidable situation.”

Even if you think you’ll be right back, don’t risk it.

Cold days aren’t safe, either.

When it’s too cold out, dogs left in parked cars can develop hypothermia. Think about how frigid your car feels when you first climb into the driver’s seat on a freezing day.

There’s a good chance it’s illegal for you to leave your dog in a parked car.

We know that you don’t need any motivation beyond your dog’s wellbeing to take them with you when you leave your car. But it’s worth noting that, in many cases, leaving a dog in a parked car is a crime.

According to the Michigan State University College of Law, “31 states have laws that either prohibit leaving an animal in a confined vehicle under dangerous conditions or provide civil immunity (protection from being sued) for a person who rescues a distressed animal from a vehicle.” They also note that, even in states without these specific laws, people who leave dogs behind in parked cars can be found guilty of animal cruelty for doing so.

Protect your dog.

If you know that your dog won’t be allowed at your destination, plan ahead and make sure that they stay safe. That could mean leaving them in a climate-controlled home with company and fun things to do. It could mean driving with a friend who can take them for a walk while you go shopping. Or it could mean rescheduling your errand for another time.