pets
Woof!
Ask a vet... Pets Central’s veterinarian Dr. Pauline Taylor answers your questions.
“As a pet owner, what should I be careful of during this festive season?”
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aven’t got time for a long hike, but want to see breathtaking views? This is one of my favourite short circular hikes to go on during the cooler weather with my two dogs, Monty and Sherlock Bones. It’s a blast going uphill to the top, pausing for a moment to look back over Sai Kung, before a meander back down. Make your way to Pak Kong Au Road either via Minibus 3A, by car or taxi, or on foot. You will find the start of this hike nestled between some bins, very close to Greenpeak Villas. Take the concrete stairs ahead which guide you on a steep climb up. After a short while, the steps become a natural path, here things start to get challenging. After passing by grave stones and bamboo forests, eventually you will break out of the trees to reveal the most breathtaking views of Sai Kung. Follow this path a little further until you reach a T-junction, with Ngong Ping to your right. There you need to take a left joining Stage 4 of the MacLehose Trail for a while, which will be signposted Mau Ping. Now you can enjoy the fruits of your labour as it’s all downhill from here with more stunning views. You will eventually reach a pagoda and it’s here that you leave the MacLehose Trail. Take a left to turn downhill over a small stream. My dogs always enjoy playing in the water here. Shortly after you will come to a fork in the path. Take the left hand fork - the right takes you to Pak Kong. This lovely path takes you over another stream and past a beautiful temple that is always colourfully decorated. Then, you will pass through an enchanting bamboo section and it’s here that you find yourself back at the steps where you started. The hike runs a little under five kilometres, takes one to two hours depending on your pace and is a good, challenging walk. I would recommend plenty of water and walking poles with you - and of course, your most comfortable hiking shoes.
Sai Kung residents share their favourite dog walks 46 | SAIKUNG.COM
Pak Kong Au Road
Festive periods present many potential hazards for our pets. Most visits to emergency veterinary treatment clinics are caused by things dogs or cats eat. • GOODIES Holiday goodies include foods with high fat content, excellent at causing upset tummies. Raisins, grapes and onions are toxic to our small pets leading to blood abnormalities and renal failure. Sweet items that contain artificial sweeteners can be toxic, and chocolate leads to seizures and heart problems. • DECORATIONS Flowers and plants are also dangerous to our pets. Lilies—all parts of them—are fatal to cats, causing renal failure; mistletoe causes diarrhoea; and the poinsettia—often in abundance around this time—can cause mild irritation to lips and mucous membranes in addition to gastroenteritis. Anxious animals upset by the “going-ons” around them may turn to objects to chew to release their stress. These objects can include cables and cords of festive lights or lanterns, paper and candles. • VISITORS When strangers come around, and in particular if your dog or cat isn’t used to visitors, it is a good idea to shut your pet away in a safe room, cage or basket. They will be much happier and you can relax too. • CLIMATE And remember, as the weather gets colder our pets feel the difference in temperature too. They can get hypothermia so they need warm shelters at all times and fresh clean water every day. Finally, be sensible letting pets access other potential poisons, cleaning detergents and chemicals you may use. The classic one—uncommon, I’m pleased to say, in Hong Kong— is anti-freeze, which attracts animals to lick it leading again to renal failure. Hopefully, if you keep these hazards in mind and away from your pets, you will all have a great holiday.
Got a question for Dr. Pauline? Email editorial@hongkongliving.com