Keeping your dog safe in an Australian summer
25 October 2026 · 5 min read
Summer is the best time for beaches and outdoor pubs, and the most dangerous time for dogs. Heatstroke can kill within minutes, and the two biggest causes, hot cars and hot ground, are completely avoidable. Here are the numbers and what to do.
How hot does a parked car get?
Very hot, very fast. On a mild 23°C day the inside of a parked car reaches 34°C in 10 minutes and 43°C in 30. Cracked windows, shade and window tinting make little difference.
Source: NSW Department of Primary Industries, Dogs in Hot Cars fact sheet. RSPCA WA reports a test on a 29°C day where the car reached 44°C after 10 minutes even with the air conditioning cooling it to 20°C first.
What happens, minute by minute
- About 2 minutes
Panting and drooling start and blood vessels dilate.
- About 5 minutes
Blood pressure begins to drop.
- About 6 minutes
A dog can die of heatstroke, even in shade with the windows partly down.
- About 8 minutes
Organ damage begins, affecting the kidneys, stomach and intestines, and the brain starts to swell.
Once the body reaches 43°C, brain damage, seizures, coma and death can follow. These times are approximate and come from RSPCA WA.
Hot ground: protect your hound
Asphalt can be around 40°C when the air is only 25°C, according to a study cited by RSPCA WA. Dog paws are as sensitive as the soles of your feet. Before you walk on roads, footpaths or beach sand, press the back of your hand to the surface. If you cannot hold it there for five seconds, it is too hot for your dog. Walk early in the morning or after sunset, and stick to grass and shade.
Signs of heatstroke
- Heavy panting or difficulty breathing
- Thick, sticky saliva or heavy drooling
- Bright red tongue and gums, turning grey as shock sets in
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Lethargy, unsteadiness or staggering
- Collapse
Higher-risk dogs
- Flat-faced breeds such as French bulldogs, pugs and boxers
- Dogs that are overweight
- Thick or long-coated dogs
- Very young and elderly dogs
- Dogs that have just exercised hard, are dehydrated, or have heart, breathing or neurological problems
If your dog overheats
- 1MoveGet the dog into shade, an air-conditioned space or in front of a fan.
- 2Cool graduallyUse cool, not cold, water or wet towels. Pour it over the belly and armpits, where there is little fur.
- 3Offer waterSmall amounts of cool water. Stop cooling once breathing settles, before the dog starts to shiver.
- 4Go to the vetStraight away, even if the dog seems to be recovering. Organ damage can continue for hours or days.
If you see a dog in a hot car
Note the registration and location, and try to find the owner, for example by asking shopping centre management to page them. Then call for help. In NSW call RSPCA NSW on 1300 278 358, NSW Police on 000 or the Animal Welfare League on 02 8777 4444. In WA call the RSPCA on 1300 278 358 or WA Police on 131 444. Elsewhere, contact your state RSPCA or call police. Stay at a distance to keep the dog calm and record the time and photos. Do not break into the car yourself. In WA that is illegal, including smashing a window, so wait for authorities.
In WA, leaving a dog in a hot car can lead to prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act, with a maximum penalty of $50,000 or five years in prison and a possible ban on owning animals. Penalties differ by state.
Cool places for dogs
Pick shaded parks, dog-friendly beaches with early or late access and venues with water bowls and shade. Find them on PupFriendly.
Sources: NSW DPI, Dogs in Hot Cars; RSPCA WA, Dogs in hot cars; RSPCA WA, Protect your hound, check the ground. This is general information, not veterinary advice. If you think your dog has heatstroke, call a vet immediately.