Will Tesla's Dog Mode Make it Safe to Leave Your Pup in the Car?

Imagine this. After weeks of scorching temps, a cold front moves in for a much-needed reprieve from the heat. It’s about 70 degrees, making it a perfect day to get a few quick errands done.

As a dog parent who loves spoiling your baby, you decide to bring her along to get some fresh air. You've heard the warnings about leaving your pets in parked cars during the summer. But the weather has cooled to the lowest it’s been in weeks, and you cracked the windows. Besides, you won't take long. Surely there's nothing to worry about, right?

Unfortunately, it couldn’t be further from the truth.

The Harsh Reality

In 2018, 58 pets were reported dead due to hot weather, though unfortunately, that number may be higher. It’s estimated that in the US, hundreds of dogs and other pets are left in hot cars each summer.^[1]

Even on cooler summer days or days with more cloud cover, it’s never a good idea to leave your dog in the car. The temperature doesn’t need to be extreme for your pup to overheat. A study conducted by the Louisiana Office of Public Health found that the temperature inside a parked car climbed as high as 125 degrees Fahrenheit in just 20 minutes.^[1]

The chart below shows just how quickly temperatures can rise inside a car, even when the weather outside is on the mild side.

Estimated Vehicle Interior Air Temperature v. Elapsed Time
Elapsed time	Outside Air Temperature (F)
Elapsed time	70	75	80	85	90	95
0 minutes	70	75	80	85	90	95
10 minutes	89	94	99	104	109	114
20 minutes	99	104	109	114	119	124
30 minutes	104	109	114	119	124	129
40 minutes	108	113	118	123	128	133
50 minutes	111	116	121	126	131	136
60 minutes	113	118	123	128	133	138
> 1 hour	115	120	125	130	135	140

Courtesy Jan Null, CCM; Department of Geosciences, San Francisco State University

Well-intentioned pet owners may enjoy the company when bringing their furry friends along for the ride. Similarly, dogs appreciate the chance to get out of the house. However, there really is no safe temperature for leaving your dogs alone, even if you're running inside the store for one thing.

If you’re running errands by yourself and there’s no one in the car with your pet, it’s best to leave her at home.

Tesla’s Pet-Comfort Dog Mode^[2]

^{(image by Tesla)}

Autonews recently published a story about the latest features from Tesla, the most exciting of which is a setting called Dog Mode. This summer is the first opportunity that Tesla owners with pets will be able to test this feature.

Dog Mode is a game-changer for pet owners, and a big step when it comes to protecting dogs. It ensures they are as comfortable as possible, even when the owners aren’t around.

Built upon Cabin Overheat Protection, an earlier feature that offered a simple form of climate control, Dog Mode gives more flexibility for adjusting settings, ensuring maximum comfort for pets.

This feature uses sensors that automatically keep the interior of the vehicle at a safe, comfortable temperature for pups. Not only that, but it also projects an easy-to-read message that lets others know the temperature inside the car as well as letting others know you will return shortly.

The second feature to debut, Sentry Mode, adds another level of protection for dogs that are left alone. Together, these settings give both pet owners and concerned passersby more peace of mind during short visits to the grocery store or other places. It's a win-win for everyone involved!

Of course, dogs are the real winners in Tesla’s latest update. Dog Mode gives owners more flexibility to bring their pets on car rides more often, even on warm days.

Proceed with Caution

However, it isn't the perfect solution, and pet owners still need to use discretion. This feature isn't a substitute for any laws, and there's always a risk that dogs may overheat in the vehicle.

Even recently, there was an error with Tesla’s Dog Mode. An owner set the car to dog-mode, but made a slight adjustment to temperature before leaving the car. His manual adjustment turned Dog Mode from Auto to Manual, and shut off temperature control after just 10 minutes. Thankfully, he returned before his dog was harmed. Elon Musk has already responded and is actively working to fix the issue.

As Tesla continues to develop its vehicles and accompanying updates, this feature is sure to only get better with time. And hopefully, other carmakers will follow suit and include similar options like Dog Mode.

Alternatives to Leaving Your Dog In The Car

***(image by* *Michael Bartlett on Unsplash)***

Even the most conscientious pet parents may have times when they have to leave their dog alone in the car. When that happens, park in a shady spot. If you have one, use a screen to prevent as much sun as possible from entering the car. Leave your pup a bowl of water, and use a spare key to leave the AC on. Don’t take longer than 10 minutes.^[1]

If possible, use drive-throughs for errands (such as grabbing a bite to eat or the pharmacy). Or ask a friend to come with you and stay in the car while you run inside. Another option is to call ahead and ask if the place you are shopping at is pet-friendly. It never hurts to ask, and you may be surprised to hear the answer!^[2]

If you’re unable to take any of the above precautions, leaving your pet at home is always the most prudent option.