What does Tesla
Dog Mode do?
Short answer: Dog Mode keeps the A/C or heat running at the temperature you set while your pet waits in the car, and shows a message on the screen so passersby know the dog is OK. It uses battery the whole time it's on.
What does Dog Mode do?
Dog Mode keeps the climate system running after you leave the car, holding the cabin at the temperature you set, heating or cooling as needed. It also puts a large message on the touchscreen telling passersby that the owner will be back soon and showing the current cabin temperature, so nobody breaks a window to rescue your dog.
It's one of the Keep Climate settings, alongside Keep (climate on, no message) and Camp (climate on, plus power for the screen and USB ports so you can stay in the car).
How to turn on Dog Mode
With the car in Park, open the climate controls on the touchscreen and set Keep Climate to Dog. You can also start it from the Tesla app's Climate screen. Set the temperature you want before you leave, and check that the screen shows the Dog Mode message.
Dog Mode stays on until you turn it off. The Tesla app shows the cabin temperature while it runs, so you can check on it from your phone.
How much battery does Dog Mode use?
Dog Mode runs the A/C or heater continuously, so it uses battery the whole time. On a hot summer day expect a few percent of battery per hour, more in extreme heat, in direct sun, or in a larger car. Starting from a pre-cooled cabin and parking in shade both help.
Tesla warns you in the app if the battery gets low while Dog Mode is on. Don't start it on a low charge, and don't plan on running it for hours.
Dog Mode vs. Cabin Overheat Protection vs. Vent
Tesla has three ways to deal with a hot parked car. Only one of them is meant for an animal inside.
| Dog Mode | Cabin Overheat Protection | Vent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | A pet left in the car | An empty parked car | An empty parked car |
| What it does | Holds the temp you set | Caps cabin temp near 105°F (40°C) | Lowers the windows slightly |
| Battery use | Yes, continuous | Yes, while it runs | None |
| Screen message | Yes | No | No |
| Automatic | No, turned on each time | Yes, once enabled | No, a button you press |
| Safe for pets | Yes, it's built for that | No | No |
More on the other two in Cabin Overheat Protection, explained and what Vent does in the Tesla app.
Dog Mode's limits
It depends on the battery
If the charge runs out, the climate stops. Keep an eye on the app and come back well before that.
It depends on the car working
A software fault or a climate system problem could stop the cooling. Check the cabin temperature in the app while you're away, and keep trips short.
It doesn't change the law
Some states and cities restrict leaving pets unattended in a car no matter the temperature. Dog Mode doesn't make that legal where it isn't.
When nobody's in the car
VentMode is not for pets. It's for the hours your Tesla sits empty in the sun. It vents the windows when it's hot and dry where the car is parked, closes them when rain is coming and every evening, and uses no battery while the windows are open. If a pet is in the car, use Dog Mode.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Dog Mode do on a Tesla?
Dog Mode keeps the climate system running after you leave, holding the cabin at the temperature you set, and shows a message on the touchscreen telling passersby your pet is fine and what the cabin temperature is.
How do I turn on Dog Mode?
With the car in Park, open the climate controls on the touchscreen and set Keep Climate to Dog, or start it from the Climate screen in the Tesla app.
Does Dog Mode drain the battery?
Yes. It runs the A/C or heater the whole time it's on. Expect a few percent of battery per hour on a hot day, more in extreme heat. Tesla sends an app alert if the battery gets low.
What's the difference between Dog Mode and Camp Mode?
Both keep the climate on. Dog Mode adds a message on the screen for passersby. Camp Mode keeps the screen, music and USB power available so you can stay in the car, for example overnight.
Is venting the windows enough for a dog?
No. A vented car still gets far hotter than outside air on a sunny day. Never leave a pet with only the windows vented. Dog Mode, which actively cools the cabin, is the feature built for pets.
Related: What does Vent do in the Tesla app? · Does Tesla close windows when it rains? · Cabin Overheat Protection
Keep the empty car cooler on hot days, with no battery cost.
VentMode is not affiliated with Tesla, Inc.