Tripping paws, tremors and apathy. These are some of the danger signals pet owners must watch out for. The first week of the new year is characterized by bitter cold. It can have fatal consequences for both pets and farm animals if care is not taken. Now comes the blasting cold The whole of Scandinavia gets a bitterly cold start to the year. In Oslo, in Eastern Norway and in Trøndelag, people must prepare for temperatures down to minus 20 degrees in the first few days of January. If you think it’s cold, you can imagine how much it stings your nose on Finnmarksvidda. It has been reported as low as minus 40 degrees there. It will be very cold in the next few days, according to the meteorologists. Facsimile: Meteorological Institute But why does it get so cold? – There is cold air over Siberia that is moving west, explains state meteorologist Geir Ottar Fagerlid at the Meteorological Institute. But the temperature warnings are not entirely banker’s. – It will get colder, but there is great uncertainty about how cold it will be, says state meteorologist Per Egil Haga on Tuesday afternoon. The biggest source of uncertainty is the cloud cover, he explains. It means a lot for the temperature in winter. The clouds are like a woolen blanket and prevent it from getting cold. When the cloud cover disappears, it quickly gets colder. – We are uncertain to what extent the cloud cover will dissolve before the weekend, says the state meteorologist. JEALOUSY: It’s easy to get jealous when you see relatives wearing a warm outfit. Photo: Elise Øygaren / news And it’s not just us bipeds who should find bubble jackets and woolen socks. The danger signals When the temperature drops as low as the meteorologists warn, even animals with thick fur can struggle. – Our pets are used to being indoors in a warm climate. They do not tolerate low temperatures well, says Bente Akselsen. She is both a veterinarian and president of the Norwegian Veterinary Association. The organization asks all pet owners to be aware. Bente Akselsen is a veterinarian and president of the Norwegian Veterinary Association. Photo: Veterinærforeningen Norge – When you are out with them now you have to keep an eye on how they behave, she explains. How well different dog breeds cope with the cold varies, depending, among other things, on the type of fur they have. Several signs can warn that your animal is at risk. – Trembling, tripping, they can also become lethargic or apathetic. Ken the dog is in deep snow. If he stays for too long, his body temperature can become dangerously low. Photo: Scanpix/AP If you see any of these signs, you must take the animal in and slowly and carefully add more heat to them, she says. If there are signs of frostbite or if the animal is completely white under the fur, you should contact a veterinarian. Dog owners are not the only ones who need to take action. Cat quarantine Outdoor or indoor cat. It doesn’t matter much. The vet has a clear message for all cat people. – Keep the cat inside when it is below zero. Several cats have unfortunately lost their lives during the winter. She explains that many cats hide when they are cold. Which makes it even harder to find them before it’s too late. WARNING: Although they are supposed to have nine lives, several cats have passed out in the winter cold. On Facebook, warnings are being spread to cat owners. Photo: Line Omland Eilevstjønn The dog’s new clothes If you are going out for a walk, the vet recommends finding socks and sweaters. – I think people have become very good at that. Just getting an extra layer on the outside will help a lot. Dogs with fur already have the innermost layer, but getting an extra layer on the outside is much better. If you have a thin cover, it is better than nothing, says the vet. Photo: Private / Private Legs, paws and tails are particularly vulnerable and can suffer frostbite. The paws can also get sores and problems from the substrate. Especially if it is salty or icy. This is what you should do before taking the animals out: Dress them up. Socks/dog shoes are great for all animals going outside now, as the paws can easily get sores and injuries. It is also a good idea to use sweaters/covers/jackets to keep the animals’ bodies warm. It is not as relevant for cats. Grease the paws. Paw ointments can be bought at both pharmacies and animal clinics. As long as it’s water-free it’s fine. If you don’t have paw cream, you can use cold cream or other fatty creams intended for humans. Use tape. Do not let the animals run free. It is very important to supervise them all the time you are out. Do not let your dog loose in fenced parks. Be close. Frozen chicken It can get cold in both the house and barn. Both hobby farmers and professionals should take extra care of their livestock when the cold comes in full force. Both large horses and small chickens are particularly vulnerable in the cold. – Check extra often, also during the night, it often gets even colder then. If you have animals, you have to take extra care, says Akselsen. The vet’s best advice is to invest in a good temperature gauge. Chicken coops and other buildings where livestock live should be checked regularly. A temperature gauge is a good help. Photo: Knut Falch / Scanpix/AFP Chilled kitty So what should you do if you find a chilled kitty, or you are unsure of the animal’s condition? Tread carefully. Cats that have been outside for too long in cold temperatures can develop hypothermia. Photo: Stian Wasjø Simonsen Get the animal back into the warmth. Warm the animal slowly, because rapid heating can kill the animal. Like humans, dogs and cats have a fixed internal temperature, according to the vet. Therefore, they can also get hypothermia. If you are unsure, it is safest to take the animal to the vet. Photo: DANIEL MIHAILESCU / AFP
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Pet owners must do this – Greater Oslo
