The dog forecast
Sunday 15 November · Lewes
The Environment Agency's flood warnings · Floodline 0345 988 1188
The Mud-o-Meter, on Bonnie
Reading the rain gauges
Bonnie
The scale: rain in the last 72 hours
- 1: Dry pawsunder 3 mm
- 2: Splashed3 to 10 mm
- 3: Muddy chest10 to 20 mm
- 4: Mud to the chin20 to 35 mm
- 5: Mud to the ears35 mm or more
Today
- Met Office warning
- Now
- …
- Rain for the rest of today
- …
- Rain, last 72 hours
- …
- Best time for a walk
- Light for a walk
- …
- Warm for dogs
- Fireworks tonight
- Also startles dogs
- What to expect
The river and the sea
- The Ouse at Lewes
- …
- The tide at Newhaven
- The sea at Seaford
- Flood alerts and warnings
- …
- Sewage overflows
- …
The Ouse is tidal at Lewes, so it rises for a few hours after each high tide. Low-lying land can flood above 4 m. Overflows release diluted sewage into the river after heavy rain; the monitors can't say whether the water's safe to swim in.
Next in town
From the organisers. Everything that's on, with what each means for dogs.
We couldn't reach the weather sources just now. Try again in a few minutes.
The weather, the river and the warnings aren't coming through just now. Try again in a few minutes, and for flooding use the Environment Agency's warnings.
The live readings come through lewesdogs.co.uk, so on this preview only the rain gauges show.
Places that welcome muddy dogs Wet underfoot: a cosy fireplaceOut with a dog just now
Conkers and acorns
Conkers and acorns are poisonous to dogs if eaten, and both can cause a blockage. Serious cases are rare, but ring your vet straight away if your dog has eaten one: signs of conker poisoning can take up to two days to show. Don't throw them for a dog to catch or play with.
Shooting season
In England the pheasant season runs from 1 October to 1 February, and partridge from 1 September. The shooting code says shoots should pause to let people on a footpath or bridleway pass, and may put up signs on shoot days. Keep your dog on the path and follow any local signs.
Antifreeze
Antifreeze is highly poisonous to dogs, and Dogs Trust lists it among its winter dangers. It tastes sweet, and a dog can lick it off its paws after walking through a spill, so keep dogs away from parked cars. Ring a vet at once, before any signs: a dog has a better chance if treatment starts within 12 hours.
Dark evenings and ice
On dark evenings, make sure drivers and other walkers can see your dog: a hi-vis coat, a flashing collar or a light helps, and be seen yourself. Keep dogs off frozen ponds, as the ice may not take their weight. If one falls through, don't go in after it: call it back to you and ring the emergency services. After a walk, wipe its legs, feet and belly, as road grit and wet can irritate the skin.
Dogs Trust, How to keep your dog safe and warm in cold weather (no page date)
Alabama rot
Alabama rot is rare, but more cases are reported from November to May, and many affected dogs had been walked in muddy or woodland areas. Look for sores or ulcers on the legs, paws or face, and ring your vet at once if you find one. Some vets advise washing a dog's legs after a muddy walk.
A vet at night, the poison line, an adder bite or a lost dog: help and emergencies.
Where this comes from
The Mud-o-Meter is our own rough guide. It works from the rain alone, so it can't see the paths. The walk tip under it is ours too, from the walk guides' own notes on their paths. None of this is for safety: for flooding, use the Environment Agency's warnings.