Dog in a hot car – what to do?
Signs of acute danger to life
- heavy, rapid panting, tongue hanging far out and dark red
- restlessness, whining – or, on the contrary, listlessness
- staggering, glassy eyes, vomiting, collapsing
What to do now
- Note the number plate, place and time; take a photo or video.
- Look for the owner: have them called out in the shop, ask people nearby.
- Call the police on 110 or the fire brigade on 112 and describe the situation.
- Stay by the car and watch the dog. Ask bystanders to act as witnesses.
- Once the dog is out: into the shade, offer water, wet its paws and belly with cool – not ice-cold – water, and go to a vet.
Please do not
- Do not wait long if the dog is already staggering or listless.
- Do not pour ice water over the overheated dog – that strains its circulation.
- Do not force water into it if it does not drink by itself.
Who helps
Police 110, fire brigade 112. Both may open the car.
Report an emergency Animal rescue near you
Frequent questions
May I smash the window?
Only as a last resort: if the dog is clearly in danger of dying, the owner cannot be found and the police or fire brigade cannot arrive in time. Then it may be justified as a necessity. Call the police first, get witnesses, document everything and choose a window far away from the dog. Whether it was justified in the individual case is decided by a court if there is a dispute.
And when it is cloudy?
A car heats up then too. Go by how the dog behaves, not by the weather.
Related
This page gives general advice. It replaces neither a vet nor legal advice.
More guides
- Wild animal foundFound a wild animal – who helps?
- Finding an emergency vetEmergency vet – how to find one at night and at the weekend
- Hedgehog foundFound a hedgehog – what to do?
- Bird foundFound a young or injured bird – what to do?
- Dog foundFound a stray dog – what to do?
- Cat turned upA cat has turned up or been found – what to do?
- Pet run awayDog or cat has run away – what to do?
- Collision with wildlifeCollision with wildlife: deer or wild boar hit – what to do?
- Report animal crueltyReporting animal cruelty or neglect – how does it work?
- Poison bait foundFound poison bait – and what if the dog has already eaten some?
- Injured pigeonFound an injured pigeon – what to do?
- Fawn foundFound a fawn or young wild animal – what to do?
- Squirrel foundFound a squirrel – what to do?
- Bat foundFound a bat – what to do?
- Young hare foundFound a young hare or wild rabbit – what to do?
- Injured swan or duckFound an injured swan, duck or goose – what to do?
- Cat hit by a carCat hit by a car or found at the roadside – what to do?
- Abandoned animal foundFound an abandoned animal – what to do?
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