The dangers of leaving your dog in the car on a hot day

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — When it's 70 and over, don't take Rover!

Hundreds of pets die each year from heat stroke because they are left in parked vehicles.

The temperature inside of a car can reach critical levels putting your pet at risk of serious illness or death in less than 10 minutes, even on a day that doesn't seem that hot to you!

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According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20 F in just 10 minutes, and almost 30 F in 20 minutes. Every minute the air temperature inside a car climbs, even with the windows cracked!

At one hour the temperature inside your vehicle can exceed the temperature outside by 40 F. So, even on a comfortable 70-degree day with your vehicle parked in the shade, the temperature inside can top 110 F!

All dogs begin to experience heat stress when the air temperature exceeds 85 F.

On a 70-degree day, the temperature inside of your car can climb to 90 F in just 10 minutes. At just 6 minutes, your dog can already start to exhibit signs of heat exhaustion.

Let's say you have to make a stop at the store and you'll be gone for just 20 minutes on an 80 F day. In that 20 minutes the temperature inside your vehicle has climbed to 109 F.

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On a 90 F day, just 10 minutes equals that same 109 F.

None of us would be comfortable sitting in a parked car at those temperatures and we don't wear fur coats!

A good rule of thumb? When it's 70 F and over, don't take Rover. If you love them, please leave them at home where they can safely wait for you to return!