Kaohsiung-based veterinarians have recommended that pet owners keep their animals warm, as cold weather was forecast for the next few days.
Cats and dogs common in Taiwan prefer temperatures from 20°C to 30°C, Jonghsin Animal Hospital’s 16th Agricultural Zone Branch veterinarians said, adding that while their fur is usually enough to keep cats and dogs warm, those that are old, short-haired, small or have chronic health issues could be more vulnerable to the cold.
A cat or dog that is uncomfortable in the cold could quiver or become lethargic, while signs of severe distress include weakness, stiff muscles, slowed breathing and heartbeat, and even loss of consciousness, they said.
Photo: Lee Hui-chou, Taipei Times
Owners should provide indoor heating or an outside shelter, they said, adding that heat pads for beds should be wrapped in blankets or towels to avoid contact burns.
Tropic fish require heated tanks, while carp or goldfish are adapted for cold weather and do not need special attention, except during particularly severe drops in temperature, they said.
The optimal temperature for rays is 28°C to 32°C, 25°C to 28°C for small freshwater subtropical or tropical fish of the Characidae family, and 22°C to 26°C for goldfish, they said, adding that people should do research before buying fish.
Fish tank heaters must be the correct size and meet the requirements of the fish, while submersible heaters must be sleeved and placed at an angle to discourage bottom-dwelling fish from attaching themselves to it, they said.
Owners should warm the environment for a bird that persistently fluffs its feathers, tucks its head behind its neck, quivers or remains in its nest, they said, adding that a vet visit is necessary if the situation does not improve.
Juvenile and fledgling birds’ warmth requirements vary by species and heaters should not emit light to avoid disturbing their sleep, they said.
Many reptiles do not need to hibernate in winter if there is sufficient warmth, they said, adding that reptiles sometimes die in hibernation and the process should be avoided if possible.
For turtles, having artificial light and warmth through the winter encourages shell health, the vets said.
Enclosures for reptiles should have the same warmth and humidity as their natural environment, they said.
Heat stones or pads should be used with care to prevent overheating, while heat lamps should be kept at safe distances, they said.
Pet mice or rabbits that are too cold will seek small spaces to curl up in, they said, adding that their abdomens would be cold to the touch if the temperature is too low.
Healthy hamsters prefer temperatures of about 20°C and shredded paper towels, paper-based padding or cotton balls are appropriate materials for nests, they said.
However, socks and other fabric that could collect lint should be avoided for hamster habitats, as the animals can become entangled or sustain cuts from lint, which are potentially fatal, the vets said.
Hamster living spaces can be heated with 40-watt or 100-watt heat lamps, depending on the space, but the device should be kept in a corner of the cage to create hot and cold zones, which is important to prevent the animals overheating, they said.
Rabbits should be kept warm if temperatures fall below 18°C and owners should not shave their winter coats, they said.
Additional turf should be added to a rabbit box or nest for warmth, while 100-watt heat lamps are recommended for caged rabbits, with wiring kept well out of their reach, they said.
A strong, cold-air mass began to affect the nation yesterday, with temperatures falling to 16°C in northern Taiwan and 18°C to 20°C in the rest of the country, the Central Weather Bureau said, adding that strong winds were adding to the cold.
Moisture is likely to increase today and tomorrow, with intermittent rain forecast for all parts of the country, with snow above 3,000m, it said.
On Wednesday, the mercury in areas north of Tainan and in northeastern Taiwan is expected to slide to 10°C in the early morning, and 13°C to 15°C in Kaohsiung, and Pingtung, Hualien and Taitung counties, due to a radiative cooling effect, it said, adding that the cold air mass would begin to weaken on Thursday and Friday.
Additional reporting by CNA
EVA Airways today confirmed the death of a flight attendant on Saturday upon their return to Taiwan and said an internal investigation has been launched, as criticism mounted over a social media post accusing the airline of failing to offer sufficient employee protections. According to the post, the flight attendant complained of feeling sick on board a flight, but was unable to take sick leave or access medical care. The crew member allegedly did not receive assistance from the chief purser, who failed to heed their requests for medical attention or call an ambulance once the flight landed, the post said. As sick
A drunk woman was sexually assaulted inside a crowded concourse of Taipei Railway Station on Thursday last week before a foreign tourist notified police, leading to calls for better education on bystander intervention and review of security infrastructure. The man, surnamed Chiu (邱), was taken into custody on charges of sexual assault, taking advantage of the woman’s condition and public indecency. Police discovered that Chiu was a fugitive with prior convictions for vehicle theft. He has been taken into custody and is to complete his unserved six-month sentence, police said. On Thursday last week, Chiu was seen wearing a white
The Taichung District Court yesterday confirmed its final ruling that the marriage between teenage heir Lai (賴) and a man surnamed Hsia (夏) was legally invalid, preventing Hsia from inheriting Lai’s NT$500 million (US$16.37 million) estate. The court confirmed that Hsia chose not to appeal the civil judgement after the court handed down its ruling in June, making the decision final. In the June ruling, the court said that Lai, 18, and Hsia, 26, showed “no mutual admiration before the marriage” and that their interactions were “distant and unfamiliar.” The judge concluded that the couple lacked the “true intention of
EVA Airways, one of the leading international carriers in Taiwan, yesterday said that it was investigating reports that a cabin crew manager had ignored the condition of a sick flight attendant, who died on Saturday. The airline made the statement in response to a post circulating on social media that said that the flight attendant on an outbound flight was feeling sick and notified the cabin crew manager. Although the flight attendant grew increasingly ill on the return flight, the manager did not contact Medlink — a system that connects the aircraft to doctors on the ground for treatment advice during medical
RSS