Summer Heat and Hot Car Safety for Pets in Washington, DC

A July afternoon on a DC sidewalk

Picture a humid afternoon in Brookland or Edgewood. The brick and asphalt have soaked up sun since morning, and your dog is walking a few inches above that surface with a fur coat on. The National Weather Service office for Baltimore and Washington notes that large cities like Washington carry extra heat risk because of the urban heat island effect.

Dogs do not cool off the way people do. Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine explains that dogs and cats have sweat glands only on their paw pads, so dogs depend on panting to shed heat. The ASPCA adds that flat-faced pets, such as Pugs and Persian cats, cannot pant as well and are more likely to suffer heatstroke.

A steady daily routine still matters in summer, as our post on why consistent dog walking improves behavior and mood describes. On hot days, the time of day and the length of the walk matter more.

What DC law says about pets outdoors in the heat

DC Code § 8-1808(c) says an owner or custodian shall not leave an animal outdoors without human accompaniment or adequate shelter for more than 15 minutes during extreme weather, unless the animal's age, condition and type allow it to withstand that weather. The rule does not apply to cats. DC Code § 8-1801 defines extreme weather as temperatures below 32 or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

For a dog confined outside, § 8-1801 adds that when it is at or above 80 degrees, the dog must have access to shelter shaded by trees, a roof, a tarp or something similar. The code ties these rules to the temperature itself. It does not say they wait for the District to declare a heat emergency. A separate part of § 8-1808 requires adequate care, feed, shelter, space and water at all times.

If you see a pet left out in extreme heat, DC Health asks you to call DC Animal Care and Control at (202) 888-PETS (7387) and to note the date, time, exact location and type of animal. Mount Rainier is in Prince George's County, Maryland, which has its own rules: see our guide to pet rules in Mount Rainier and Prince George's County.

Hot cars: the DC rule and what to do if you see a pet inside

DC Code § 8-1808.02 says an owner or custodian shall not leave an animal alone in a vehicle in a way that endangers its health or safety. The same section lets an animal control officer, firefighter or law enforcement officer use reasonable force to remove the animal. The owner is responsible for the District's costs of care, treatment and impound.

The National Weather Service says the air inside a parked car can rise rapidly to dangerous levels, that cracking the windows does not significantly slow the heating, and that hyperthermia can happen even on a mild day in the 70s. Tufts says a parked car without air conditioning can reach well over 100 degrees inside within minutes. DC Health puts it plainly: never leave your pet unattended in a parked car, not even with the windows cracked.

If you see a pet alone in a hot car:

• Note the car's location, color, make and plate, and how the animal looks.
• Call DC Animal Care and Control at (202) 888-PETS (7387). The law gives the job of entering the car to animal control officers, firefighters and police.
• If the car is outside a store or office, ask the staff to announce it so the owner comes back.
• Do not break a window or open the car yourself. DC law names who may remove the animal, and private citizens are not on that list.

Heatstroke signs and the first steps vets describe

DC Health lists these signs of heatstroke and says to seek medical attention immediately if you see them: heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, heavy drooling, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure or unconsciousness. Tufts adds that in cats, any open-mouth breathing or panting is abnormal.

Tufts describes the first steps on the way to care: bring the pet out of the heat and offer water. If a dog is lying on its side breathing hard, you may briefly wet it with room-temperature water, not cold water, because a rebound drop in body temperature is common. Do not wrap the pet in a wet towel, which traps heat. Tufts stresses that none of this should delay getting to a vet.

Know where you would go before summer starts. Our guide to a pet emergency plan while you are away covers writing down your vet and the nearest emergency hospital.

Planning walks around DC heat

Check the forecast at NWS Baltimore/Washington before you plan the day. That office issues a Heat Advisory for areas east of the Blue Ridge, which includes DC, when the heat index reaches 105 or higher, and an Extreme Heat Warning when it reaches 110 or higher. It notes those thresholds may be lowered for long heat waves or the first hot spell of the year.

DC Health suggests limiting exercise to early morning and evening on hot days and walking on grass, because asphalt can get hot enough to burn paws. Tufts suggests skipping long walks or hikes between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The ASPCA advises plenty of fresh water, shade and not over-exercising pets in heat.

Our dog walking service offers 15-minute potty breaks as well as 30- and 60-minute walks, and the page says each walk is adjusted to your dog's age, size and energy level. On a heat-advisory day, a short potty break may suit your dog better than a long walk. Our guide to 15, 30 or 60-minute dog walks helps you choose. Summer also brings lawn chemicals and cookout food: see foods and plants toxic to dogs and cats.

When a walk is the wrong answer

A pet showing any heatstroke sign needs a vet, not a walk. The ASPCA says flat-faced pets, older pets, overweight pets and those with heart or lung disease should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible, so ask your vet before planning any midday outing for them.

A walker also cannot make up for a hot home. DC Health urges owners to let pets indoors during extreme heat and to plan a cool spot for them ahead of time. If you want to talk through walk times for the summer, including our private and group walk options, contact us during office hours.