Do Hong Kong dogs really need boots, jumpers, strollers? Vets give their opinion on accessories
Three vets answer questions on what is best for Hong Kong’s pampered pet dogs, from what boots are best for certain breeds to the top strollers to buy
Hong Kong’s pampered pooches might look the coolest out there, but how many of those accessories do they really need – and are they doing more harm than good?
Should Hongkongers with their tiny flats own cats? Seven tips for keeping your indoor pet happy, according to experts
Three vets from local clinic and care provider Pets Central answer questions on those love-them-or-loathe-them items that some owners simply can’t do without.
Boots
Answers from Dr Pauline Taylor
In what situations does a dog genuinely need boots?
Dog boots protect the feet and, in particular, the pads, most importantly by minimising trauma and protecting sensitive soft tissue in the area.
Trauma can be a result of: direct heat, certainly a factor in Hong Kong in summer months; cold and ice, not an issue in Hong Kong but definitely a problem in cold climates when pads can suffer frostbite; and allergens that stick on a dogs foot that may irritate and cause the dog to excessively lick its own feet. The latter, commonly called atopy, is a huge problem in Hong Kong for many breeds of dog.
