Overheating in dogs can be a fatal. In the UK, exertional heat-related illness (HRI) affects (74.2%), and kills more dogs, than confinement in a hot vehicle (5.2%).
Simply relying on 1 metric (ambient temperature) usually is not enough to determine how much or how vigorously you can exercise your dog. Thus this one-page-website aims to combat that, by providing multiple other factors. As well as, generic walking times based on various other sources.
- Humidity
- Heat Index
- Heat Index Score
- Apparent Temperature
- WBGT (temp. Celsius, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation)
And provide some generic advice based on ASSA Humidity Reference Chart weather you can do Canicross, Bikejorring or Scooter/Rig Classes.
- Ambient Temperature: High temperatures can quickly increase a dog's body heat, especially during exercise.
- Humidity: Humidity is one of the most difficult aspects of heat stroke - usually it comes with overcast conditions and cooler temperatures that lead many to believe that it is safe to walk or exercise their dogs outside. However, High humidity (over 35%) reduces the effectiveness of evaporative cooling, and humidity above 80% can negate it entirely.
- Exercise Intensity: Physical activity generates body heat, which can compound the effects of hot and humid weather.
- ASSA has a few recommendations:
- General Advice. ASSA Recommends that ambient temperatures are below 15 degrees and below 75% humidity, if you still feel this is too warm then don't run (ASSA Beginner Guide p.8)
- Apparent Temperature. For more detailed calculation humidity is taken into consideration, and then specific advice provided based on different activity level (ASSA HUmidity Reference and Apparent Temperature Chart)
- Canicross: Shortenned distances and timings when Apparent temperture is between 18-21.5C
- Bikejoring: Shortenned distances and timings when Apparent temperture is between 15-17.5C
- Scooter/Rig: Shortenned distances and timings when Apparent temperture is between 10-14.5C
- Heat Index Score. CaniCross.org.uk recommends simple formula: HUMIDITY x Temperature = Heat Index Score (if this score exceed 1000 - caution should be taken, and exercise distances and timings shortened) (This is covered across all their freely provided training plans CanniCross Training Plan provided by Canicross UK)
- Chelmsford Dog Association. Provides Heat Index Chart for Dogs Engaged in Low Activity. [CDA - Low activity Duration]
- Add explanation for color coding and progress bars under each metric.
- Activity Advice. Current MAX advice is to simply not to harness your dogs, but if conditions are extreme dogs hsould not be exercised at all in paticualr Bikejoring/Scooter
- Time Locale. Show time at location. Calculate all graphs based on destination time.
- Projecting becomeing too large. Split and move into Typescript? Look into React, Tailwinds, Next? Look into minification and speed up load time, reduced API calls etc.
- Fix walking advice! It is dangerously high.
- Newline for walking advice. Provide explanation why? e.g. expnd wlaking advice card or maybe provide a small chart with all possible metrics?
- Look into Input Validation: cities, postcodes, locations
- Unit options: Celsius, Farenheit
- Implement breed-specific recommendations
- Look into heat acclimation
- Incorporate findings that male dogs have a higher chance of heatstroke
- Factor in coat color, as dark-coated dogs have a higher chance of heatstroke
- Add a Calendar View to plan safe walking times over the coming days based on weather forecasts
- Provide alternative walking times, suggesting cooler parts of the day if the current conditions are too hot
- Allow users to input their dog's typical activity level for more precise recommendations
- Tailor advice based on the age of the dog
- Include an option to factor in specific health conditions
- Implement real-time alerts for sudden changes in weather that could impact planned walks
- Integrate an interactive map showing nearby shaded parks, water stations, and dog-friendly cooling areas
- Include educational resources on recognizing signs of heat stress and first aid steps for heatstroke
- Post-exercise management of exertional hyperthermia in dogs participating in dog sport (canicross) events in the UK by Anne J. Carter, Emily J. Hall, Jude Bradbury, Sian Beard, Sophie Gilbert, Dominic Barfield, Dan G. O'Neill.
- Investigating factors affecting the body temperature of dogs competing in cross country (canicross) races in the UK by Anne Carter, Emily J. Hall.
- Too Hot to Run
- Temperature & Humidity Reference Guide
- Beginners Guide
- Dogs Don’t Die Just in Hot Cars—Exertional Heat-Related Illness (Heatstroke) Is a Greater Threat to UK Dogs by Emily J. Hall, Anne J. Carter and Dan G. O'Neill.
- How Humidity Can Lead To Heat Stroke In Dogs by Run Dawg, 2022
- Canine Heat Stroke by Victoria T 2017
- https://www.chelmsforddogassociation.org/media_uploads/Heat-Index-Chart.pdf
- https://www.ukbwg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/210609-BWG-Position-Statement-Heat-related-illness-in-dogs.pdf
- Thermal Comfort observations by Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
- Heat Index Calculation - Regression equation of Rothfusz
- What is the heat index? by National Weather Service
- NEW improved calculation of HEAT INDEX - Extending the Heat Index by Yi-Chuan Lu and David M. Romps 2022