Taipei is in the grip of a strong cold snap, with temperatures dropping to the single digits Celsius. Those in the city with pets at home need to take care not just to bundle themselves up: pets, too, are susceptible to the cold.
Recent cold fronts have caused temperatures in Taipei to drop sharply. It isn’t just people feeling the bite: dogs and cats are actually more susceptible to the cold than humans. That’s because their body temperatures are slightly higher than humans to begin with, usually around 38 to 39C. So when the mercury drops, animals feel the impact more readily.
Vets say ways to keep pets warm include using a heater or an electric blanket. Owners can also place warm clothes around their pets to create a comfy little nest. Vets are also giving out some warnings to pet owners. One is to never point a heater directly towards an animal’s eyes. Another is to be sure to wrap a towel around warming objects like hand warmers before letting animals use them: putting an extra layer between a heated object and an animal will keep the animal from getting burns.