- More than 1 in 5 (21%) drivers have seen a dog left alone in a car in temperatures of 24 degrees or above
- However, more than 2 in 5 (44%) drivers admit they didn’t intervene
- The main reasons people leave their dogs alone in the car in hot weather include when paying for fuel (28%), not wanting to wake the dog when it was asleep (25%), and when visiting family or friends (19%)
- Confused.com car insurance experts outline how best to help a dog in distress on a hot day
Nearly 1 in 2 (44%) dog owners admit to leaving their dog alone in a car, despite vehicles reaching oven-like temperatures in just 10 minutes.
New research reveals that over a third (37%) of dog owners are unaware of the risks. That’s according to new research from car insurance experts at Confused.com.
Even if just for a short period of time, leaving a dog alone in a car can have serious consequences and may even be fatal for dogs. What people may not realise is that 21°C outside can quickly become a fatal 40°C after 30 minutes.
Alarmingly, owners admit to leaving the dog in a car that’s over 24°C for an average of 10 minutes. However, more than 1 in 5 (21%) have done so for longer than 16 minutes.
Drivers who admitted to leaving their dog in the car when the temperature reached 24°C on a hot day said their main reasons for doing so were when paying for fuel (28%), not wanting to wake the dog when it was asleep (25%), and when visiting family or friends (19%). In many cases, (35%) left their dog alone because they thought they would be quick. Yet, these split second decisions could tragically result in the loss of a dog’s life.
Despite many owners admitting to leaving their dog alone in warm weather, many did also take steps to keep their pets safe. That’s as almost 2 in 5 (39%) kept the window open to keep the fresh air flowing.
| Temperature inside the car | After 10 minutes | After 30 minutes | After 60 minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
21 degrees
|
32 degrees
|
40 degrees
|
45 degrees
|
|
24 degrees
|
34 degrees
|
43 degrees
|
48 degrees
|
|
27 degrees
|
37 degrees
|
46 degrees
|
51 degrees
|
|
29 degrees
|
40 degrees
|
48 degrees
|
53 degrees
|
|
32 degrees
|
43 degrees
|
51 degrees
|
56 degrees
|
After 10 minutes, a car that is 24°C inside can reach 32°C, and continues to intensify minute by minute. The longer a dog is left alone in a car, the more danger they are in.
Worryingly, more than 1 in 5 (21%) UK drivers have seen a dog left alone in a car in temperatures of 24°C or above. Nearly double the amount of people have witnessed a dog left alone in a warm car between 13°C - 23°C (41%) compared to being left alone in a hot car that’s 24°C and over (21%). Yet, both temperatures pose risks to dogs.
Despite this, a further 2 in 5 (44%) of respondents admit that they have not intervened when they saw a dog left alone in the car on a hot day.
But, on the flip side, over half (56%) claimed they did intervene when they saw a dog alone in a car. With 31% looking for the owner, 16% waiting with the dog until their owner returned, and 15% alerting the closest public areas nearby. A further 4% have even broken into a car to ensure the dog was unharmed.
There are warning signs people can look out for if they see a dog left alone in a hot car. If a dog is showing symptoms including heavy panting, excessive drooling, weakness or collapsing, vomiting, disorientation or stumbling or gums that are red or very pale, it’s important to call 999 straight away.
The danger and risks of leaving a dog in a hot car are a real issue. Over half of Brits think it should be illegal to leave a dog in a hot car (52%) and further 51% believe that owners of dogs left in hot cars should be fined.
The consequences of these actions can be severe emotionally, so it’s important to know what to do if you find yourself in this situation.
Matt Crole-Rees, motoring expert at Confused.com, comments,
“Dogs are a big part of life for many of us, as many become more like family than a pet. So, it’s important to make sure that your dogs are as safe as possible when travelling in the car, especially in warmer weather as we approach summer.
“Keeping your dogs as cool as possible on a hot day is necessary. When driving, keeping the aircon on or a window open will help to cool them down. Yet, dogs should always be suitably restrained to prevent distracting the driver or causing an injury. As well as this, you should always make sure your dog is hydrated and comfortable. Leaving your dog alone in the car should be avoided.
“A concerning number of people have seen dogs left alone in a car on a hot day. Although it’s reassuring that many would take action, the risk should be avoided in the first place.
“If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to help a dog in danger, call the police and do not attempt to break into the car as this counts as criminal damage and could worsen the situation for you.
- ENDS -
Unless otherwise stated, research carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Confused.com of 2,000 UK adults between 28th April to 1st May 2026.
1. https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/dogsinhotcars#:~:text=Many%20people%20think%20it's%20ok,your%20dog%20suffering%20and%20harm.
2. https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/all-pets/dogs-die-in-hot-cars-and-on-hot-walks#:~:text=Dogs%20should%20never%20be%20left,it's%20not%20worth%20the%20risk.
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