Vienna, 26.06.2025 – Heat waves hold a firm grip on the world as summer holidays are approaching. For dogs even everyday activities such as a quick trip to the supermarket can be dangerous, if they are left alone in the car. Dog owners therefore need to be extra careful to protect their four-legged friends from excessive heat. Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS offers tips on how to protect your dog against the heat and urges dog owners not to leave their beloved animal alone in the car.

When a car is parked in the sun, the temperature inside can quickly double the outside one and become a deadly heat trap for an animal. But parking in the shade is no solution either as the heat is also transported through the air. Even if it is merely 20 degrees Celsius outside, the temperature inside the car can quickly rise to 36 degrees within half an hour: already a threshold for the health of a dog.

"At temperatures above 28 degrees Celsius, dogs have difficulty cooling themselves down naturally by panting. Since the normal body temperature of dogs is around 38 degrees, a car that exceeds this temperature can lead to heatstroke and endangers the dog to die from multiple organ failure," warns Dr. Sabrina Karl, pet expert at FOUR PAWS.

Dogs in distress: Life comes before property

When seeing a dog in a locked car, one should look out for certain signs of overheating: heavy panting and distress. In some countries Good Samaritan Laws protect individuals who intervene by breaking a car’s window to save a dog’s life, while in other nations only authorised personnel are permitted to act.

Protect paws from burns on asphalt

Walks in high temperatures can quickly turn into an ordeal. Dog owners should avoid walking on asphalt, as it absorbs the heat quickly even on mild summer days and possibly leads to burns on the dog’s paws.

“It is easy to test whether the ground is too hot for your dog's paws: simply hold the back of your hand on the asphalt for a few seconds — if it is unbearable, then it is too hot for a walk. To avoid possible burns on the paws and overheating, it is better to take walks in the early morning and evening hours and to walk on earthy paths and grass such as in parks or in the forest,” explains Karl.

A dog's ‘air conditioning’ is located in its nose

A dog's body's own air conditioning system is located in its nose. Dogs regulate their body temperature by panting more heavily. Short-nosed breeds such as pugs and French bulldogs are anatomically less able to do this. High temperatures and physical exertion can therefore quickly become life-threatening for short-nosed breeds. “If your dog is particularly sensitive to heat, you can offer them a special cooling mat or vest at home under supervision. And, of course, animals should always have access to fresh water, even when out and about,” says Karl.

More guides and tips for everyday life with an animal can be found here.