Exploring Owner Perceptions of the Impacts of Seasonal Weather Variations on Canine Activity and Potential Consequences for Human–Canine Relationships

Hall, Emily J.; Carter, Anne; Farnworth, Mark J.

doi:10.3390/ani11113302

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 56 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Domestic dogs play important roles in society, including companionship [ 4 ] and fulfilling service roles ranging from military and policing to medical assistance. Climate change mitigation strategies must therefore include consideration of canine-specific risk factors to reduce HRI risk and severity in dogs and maintain the unique positions of dogs in human society [ 3 , 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk Factors for Severe and Fatal Heat-Related Illness in UK Dogs—A VetCompass Study

Hall

Carter

Chico

et al. 2022

Veterinary Sciences

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Heat-related illness (HRI) is predicted to increase in dogs due to rising global temperatures. This study evaluated retrospective VetCompass veterinary clinical records to explore geographical variability and ambient conditions associated with HRI events in UK dogs, and report the intrinsic (canine) and extrinsic (location, trigger, ambient weather) risk factors for severe disease and fatal outcome in dogs affected by HRI. Dogs living in London had the greatest odds for developing HRI compared with dogs living in the North West (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.31–2.74). The median ambient temperature on days of HRI events was 16.9 °C. For dogs with HRI, age, bodyweight and trigger were risk factors associated with severe disease. Age, skull shape and clinical grade of HRI presentation were associated with a fatal outcome. Whilst the majority of HRI events overall were triggered by exertion, the risk of severe disease was greater in situations where dogs could not escape the heat source (vehicular confinement), and the risk of death in HRI cases was greater for those dogs with reduced capacity to thermoregulate (older and brachycephalic dogs). These results highlight the need for better owner awareness of the factors that increase the risk of severe and fatal HRI, as a first stage in protecting canine welfare in the face of rising global temperatures.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk Factors for Severe and Fatal Heat-Related Illness in UK Dogs—A VetCompass Study

Hall

Carter

Chico

et al. 2022

Veterinary Sciences

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Extreme weather conditions (i.e. hot, cold/icy and rainy weather) have been shown to have a negative impact on activity levels of dogs and their owners (Schneider et al 2015;Aspvik et al 2018;Wagner et al 2019;Hall et al 2021). Furthermore, as BOAS causes exercise intolerance and thermoregulatory disturbances, brachycephalic dogs are even more sensitive to temperature changes, and therefore, exercise might be proactively limited by the owner (Roedler et al 2013;Aromaa et al 2019;Packer et al 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of habitual physical activity in French Bulldogs, Pugs and normocephalic dogs by accelerometry

Aromaa,

Putro,

Lilja-Maula

et al. 2023

Anim. welf.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is a major welfare concern in flat-faced dog breeds. As BOAS causes respiratory difficulties and exercise intolerance, it can reduce dogs’ daily quality of life (QOL). However, evaluation of QOL in dogs is difficult, and many owners perceive BOAS signs as ‘normal’ for the breed. Accelerometers that measure frequency, duration and intensity of activities can offer an objective way of evaluating dogs’ daily activity and thereby deliver potential insights into QOL. The aim of this study was to assess habitual physical activity of 48 brachycephalic and 23 non-brachycephalic dogs using accelerometers. The accelerometers were used for one week and owners filled in a questionnaire regarding their dog’s well-being and activities. Veterinary-assessed BOAS grading for brachycephalic dogs was determined. Compared with controls, more severely affected French Bulldogs and Pugs had significantly lower total activity counts and spent less time in high activity. In Pugs, mildly affected dogs were also less active, but age can be a contributing factor here, as older age decreased activity in Pugs and controls showed a wider age range. In French Bulldogs, those dogs with no or mild signs of BOAS did not differ from controls regarding their daily activity. In conclusion, accelerometers were easy to use for objective measurement of daily activity in bracycephalic dogs, although a degree of discomfort due to the collar was reported. Results showed that BOAS signs were associated with decreased habitual physical activity. These findings emphasise the importance of actions taken to reduce incidence of BOAS in brachycephalic breeds.

show abstract

“…This was done because the circumstances and conditions, such as health conditions and desire to roam, of dogs and cats can vary greatly between seasons. [17][18][19] Additionally, because cats are seasonal breeders, they give birth in spring and summer months, so kittens enter shelters at much higher numbers in summer than winter months. 20…”

Section: Season Of Impoundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Affecting the Likelihood of Dogs and Cats Returning to Their Owners at a Municipal Animal Shelter in the United States

Hill,

Weng,

Protopopova

et al. 2023

JSMCAH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Animal shelters consider return-to-owner (RTO) as an ideal outcome for animals, owners, and shelters. Methods to increase RTO likelihood are frequently discussed by shelter professionals nationwide. Some of these methods are evidence-based, while others are anecdotally successful. This retrospective study aimed to provide evidence for commonly suggested methods, as well as identify additional factors influencing RTO likelihood. Methods: Data from 5,960 dog and 3,489 cat impounds were obtained from a large municipal animal shelter in Utah, USA. Directed acyclic graphs were developed to visualize causal assumptions, which were used to identify confounders for adjustment in the logistic regression while modeling the associations between study variables and RTO outcomes for both dogs and cats. Results: Dogs and cats with microchips, older animals, healthy animals, neutered animals, and animals brought to the shelter via another public agency were more likely to return to their owners. Animal sex and season of impound did not affect either dogs’ or cats’ RTO likelihood. Conclusion: The characteristics influencing RTO likelihood were similar for both dogs and cats. These influences provide support for existing shelter practices, such as facilitating widespread microchipping and waiving reclamation fees, while also encouraging implementation of new practices, such as modifying stray hold periods based on source type or health status. Limitations of the study included the presence of incomplete information in the database and concerns with the generalizability of results to other shelters.

show abstract

Exploring Owner Perceptions of the Impacts of Seasonal Weather Variations on Canine Activity and Potential Consequences for Human–Canine Relationships

Cited by 8 publications

References 56 publications

Risk Factors for Severe and Fatal Heat-Related Illness in UK Dogs—A VetCompass Study

Risk Factors for Severe and Fatal Heat-Related Illness in UK Dogs—A VetCompass Study

Comparison of habitual physical activity in French Bulldogs, Pugs and normocephalic dogs by accelerometry

Factors Affecting the Likelihood of Dogs and Cats Returning to Their Owners at a Municipal Animal Shelter in the United States

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About