Quick answer: to keep your dog cool in a ute dog box, get air moving through the box, keep the dog off hot metal, park in the shade, give water on every stop, and never leave the dog in the ute on a hot day. In Victoria, a dog on a metal tray must be able to get onto insulating material when it's 28°C or hotter.
Australian summers are hard on dogs. Here's how to keep yours cool and safe on the back of the ute.
Why heat is the biggest risk
Metal in the sun gets very hot. The RSPCA warns that ute trays and other metal surfaces can burn a dog's footpads. A dog also can't sweat like we do. It cools itself mostly by panting, which doesn't work well in hot, still air.
Victoria has made part of this law. Its Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019 say that when it is 28°C or more, a dog secured on a metal tray must be able to get onto insulating material. The same regulations also restrict leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle when it is 28°C or more. Agriculture Victoria explains both rules on its regulations page. Other states have their own rules. See our guide to the rules for dogs on utes in each state.
1. Let the air flow
Air moving through the box carries heat away. Our ute dog boxes have a mesh dog cage, and the dog boxes have no rubber seal, so air can flow through.
- Don't block the mesh with bags, tarps or gear.
- Keep the dog section clear of anything that traps heat.
- On very hot days, think about whether the dog should travel at all. The RSPCA says a restraint inside the air-conditioned cabin is generally the safest way to carry a dog.
2. Keep paws off hot metal
Put a rubber mat or an insulated bed on the floor of the dog section. It protects the footpads and gives the dog a cooler spot to lie on. In Victoria, on days of 28°C or more, this kind of insulating material is required when a dog is secured on a metal tray. Choose a mat that drains or is easy to hose out, and check it for wear.
3. Think about colour and shade
Dark surfaces take in more heat from the sun than light ones. We make our dog boxes in raw aluminium, checker plate, white and black. If you work in full sun, a lighter finish such as white or raw aluminium is worth a thought. Whatever the colour, park in the shade whenever you stop, and turn the ute so the dog section is out of the sun.
Our article on keeping a ute canopy cool in summer has more ideas for keeping heat out of an aluminium box.
4. Water, breaks and timing
- Offer water at every stop. A bowl that doesn't tip helps.
- On long drives, stop often and let the dog out in the shade.
- Travel early or late in the day in summer, when it's cooler.
- Never leave the dog in a parked ute in the heat.
5. Restrain the dog safely
Keeping cool isn't the only job. The dog must also be restrained or enclosed so it can't fall or jump off. A dog box bolted to the tray does that. If you also use a tether inside the box, clip it to a harness, never a collar or choke chain. Our boxes lock with two whale tail locks, and the lids lift on four gas struts.
Signs your dog is too hot
Stop, get the dog into shade and give it water if you see:
- heavy, fast panting that doesn't settle
- a lot of drooling
- weakness, wobbling or lying down and not getting up
- vomiting or confusion
Heat stress can be an emergency. If your dog shows these signs, call a vet straight away.
Questions people ask
How do I keep my dog cool in a ute dog box?
Keep the mesh clear so air flows, put a rubber mat or insulated bed on the floor, park in the shade, give water at every stop, and don't leave the dog in the ute on hot days.
Do I need a mat in my dog box?
It's a good idea anywhere, because metal gets hot. In Victoria, when it's 28°C or more, a dog secured on a metal tray must be able to get onto insulating material.
Are aluminium dog boxes hot?
Any metal box in full sun gets hot. Air flow, a mat, a lighter finish and shade make the biggest difference. Our dog boxes have a mesh cage and no rubber seal, so air can move through.
Is it safe to carry a dog on the tray in summer?
It can be, with air flow, shade, insulation and water. On extreme days, the RSPCA says not to drive with a dog in the tray if it will be exposed to extreme weather. Carry it in the cabin instead.
Need help choosing? Read our ute dog box size guide, browse our ute dog boxes, or call 1300 026 937.