Abstract
Climate change is leading to more instances of seasonal weather variation. Studies have explored the impact of adverse winter weather on dog walking, but the impact on the dog's overall activity levels have not been previously considered. This study explored dog owner perceptions of the effects of both summer and winter weather on their dog's activity levels. An international online survey recruited 3153 respondents between May and December 2018, to explore the impact of summer and winter weather conditions on baseline activity levels. Owners reported their dogs were more impacted by cold (48.2% less likely to exercise their dog in the cold) and ice (64.0% less likely), than rain (25.3% were less likely). In hot weather, over 80% of owners reported reduced exercise duration and vigour for their dogs. Carrying water or walking near water to facilitate activity in the summer was the most popular mitigation strategy (90.8%). Participation in dog sports appeared to reduce the impact of winter weather on canine activity and increase owner awareness of cooling strategies to facilitate summer activity. Strategies to promote safe activity participation are needed to maintain canine activity levels amidst rising global temperatures, including better understanding of cooling strategies for exercising dogs.
Highlights
Domestic dogs interlink with every aspect of human society, from companions to those working and providing assistance
It is important to distinguish that whilst previous studies have looked at the impact of weather conditions as a factor affecting owner desire to walk and subsequent effects on owner activity levels, this study focused on the perceived impact of weather on the dog’s activity levels, including both activity associated with the owner and activity independent of the owner
This study highlights the impact that extreme weather can have on canine activity levels, suggesting that hot and humid summer weather affects dogs more strongly than cold, wet winter weather
Summary
Domestic dogs interlink with every aspect of human society, from companions to those working and providing assistance. Many of these roles depend on physical activity. Dog walking and canine sport participation are important components of the human–canine bond for pet dogs, whilst guiding, searching and even combat comprise key elements of assistance and service dogs’ duties. Physical activity is a leading trigger of heat-related illness (HRI) in pet dogs living in the UK [2] and Israel [3]. Rising global temperatures have the potential to severely alter dogs’ roles in human society, posing a serious risk to both canine health and the human–canine bond, and canine welfare. Improving our understanding of this phenomenon has the potential to mitigate against harm, especially in an increasingly unpredictable environment [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
