A cold car is not shelter: winter car trips with pets
A quick errand feels harmless when the dog is in the back seat and the sky is grey. In winter, a parked car can be a bad place for a pet to wait.
A parked car holds the cold
The AKC says a car without the heater running becomes a rolling refrigerator: cars have little insulation, so a vehicle blocks wind but not frigid temperatures. The ASPCA puts it the same way, warning that cars can hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze. The AVMA adds that leaving a pet in a car on a chilly day is not much better than leaving them outdoors.
Who is most at risk
The AVMA names pets that are young, old, ill or thin as especially susceptible to the cold. The AKC adds that short-haired and single-coated dogs, small and toy breeds, and puppies and seniors tolerate cold less well than thick-coated northern breeds. It lists shivering and curling up as early signs of hypothermia, and warns that a dog's fur may not be enough protection.
Safer ways to travel
The AVMA says pets should be restrained in a car with a harness, crate or carrier, and should not ride loose in a pickup bed. If a stop does not allow pets, the simplest plan is to leave them at home in the warm. The ASPCA's rule of thumb applies here too: if it is too cold for you, it is probably too cold for your pet.
Check under the car
The ASPCA asks you to clean up antifreeze spills thoroughly, since antifreeze is lethal to dogs and cats, and mentions products made with propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Ice melts can also be harmful if swallowed, so keep chemicals out of paw's reach.
After the trip
Jot down the date, where you went, how long your pet was in the car and how they seemed afterward. In PawLine, dated notes make it easier to look back.
Questions about this guide
Is it safe to leave a dog in the car for a minute in winter?
The AVMA, AKC and ASPCA all advise against leaving pets alone in cold cars. If you cannot take the pet in with you, the safer choice is to leave them at home.
Does a thick coat keep a dog warm in a cold car?
The AKC says thick-coated northern breeds cope better, but it warns that assuming fur is enough can be dangerous, and that puppies, seniors and small or short-haired dogs are at more risk.