Tesla Service UK / Guides / Dog Mode
Dogs & Dog Mode
What Dog Mode actually does, its genuine limits, and practical guidance for travelling with pets.
Last fact-checked: . General guidance — always check your own model's specifics and current official sources before relying on it for a decision.
How it works
What does Dog Mode actually do?
Dog Mode keeps the climate control running at a set temperature while the car is parked and locked, and displays the current cabin temperature on the exterior touchscreen along with a message explaining the owner will be back shortly — intended to reassure a passerby who might otherwise be concerned about a pet left in a hot or cold car.
Genuine limits
What are its genuine limits?
Dog Mode depends on the car maintaining sufficient charge and the climate system continuing to function correctly for the whole period — it is a technology feature, not a guarantee, and relies on trusting the system to keep working reliably. It also draws down battery charge over time, meaningfully more than the car being off, so a long stop needs enough starting charge for both the climate system and your onward journey.
Practical guidance
Practical guidance for UK owners
A few sensible practices:
- Check the estimated remaining charge specifically accounts for Dog Mode's consumption before leaving the car for an extended period.
- Consider the outside temperature and how long you're realistically leaving the pet — Dog Mode reduces risk, but doesn't eliminate the general caution around leaving any animal unattended for long periods.
- Check local guidance and use good judgement about acceptable duration, rather than treating any in-car technology as removing the need for that judgement.
- Combine with Sentry Mode if security while parked is also a concern.