Learning Center
Welcome to our Learning Center, your one-stop for everything you need to know about caring for your pet. Check out our articles on health, wellness, behavior and more, written by our expert veterinarians.
Dog Friendly Places in Brooklyn: Your Local Guide
Brooklyn is widely considered one of the most pet friendly boroughs in New York City. As veterinary professionals who serve this community, we understand that a "dog-friendly" lifestyle is essential for the mental and physical health of urban pets. From the sprawling historic acres of Prospect Park to the industrial-chic breweries of Gowanus and Williamsburg, Brooklyn offers a diverse landscape where pets are truly integrated into the social fabric. In this guide, we provide an authoritative look at the most reliable dog friendly places in Brooklyn. Our recommendations are curated based on facility safety, environmental quality, and the high standards of care we expect for our patients. Whether you are seeking a quiet cafe for morning work or a spacious brewery for a weekend hangout, this is your clinical and local expert resource.
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Dog Friendly Places in Williamsburg: Your Local Guide
Williamsburg has evolved into one of the most pet friendly neighborhoods in the world. As veterinary experts who serve the Brooklyn community, we see firsthand how the industrial-chic landscape has been reimagined to support a vibrant life for dogs and their owners. From the sprawling waterfront views of Domino Park to the countless sidewalk cafes of Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg offers a sophisticated urban experience where your pet is truly a part of the social fabric. In this guide, we provide an authoritative look at the most reliable dog friendly places in Williamsburg. Our recommendations are curated based on facility safety, environmental quality, and the high standards of care we expect for our patients. Whether you are looking for a post-walk craft beer or a boutique shopping experience, this is your clinical and local expert resource.
Dog Friendly Places in Park Slope: Your Local Guide
Park Slope is widely considered one of the most pet-friendly neighborhoods in New York City. With its brownstone-lined streets, proximity to the vast expanse of Prospect Park, and a community that treats four-legged residents like family, it is a haven for dog owners. Whether you are a long-time resident or just visiting for the day, navigating the local scene with a dog in tow is remarkably easy if you know where to go. This guide provides a comprehensive look at the best spots in the neighborhood to eat, drink, shop, and play with your dog. At Small Door Veterinary, we believe that a healthy pet is a social and active one, and there is no better place to foster that lifestyle than right here in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Coughing in Cats
Has your cat ever had a coughing episode that made you wonder why? While an occasional cough can be normal, frequent or ongoing coughing may signal an underlying problem in your cat’s respiratory system. Read on to learn what causes coughing in cats, how it’s diagnosed, and what treatment options are available.
Gabapentin in Cats
Gabapentin is a prescription medication that can help treat many different conditions in cats, ranging from seizures to chronic pain to anxiety. Read on to find out how gabapentin works and when your veterinarian may recommend it for your cat.
Why Do Dogs Lick You?
Dogs use many nonverbal methods to communicate with you, one of which is licking. The act of licking is a common way for dogs to express their instinctual needs, feelings, and desires — to both humans and other animals. While licking may seem to be a simple social action, there’s a wide range of reasons that lead your dog to lick. Read on to learn more about why dogs lick and what this behavior may mean.
Why Do Dogs Lick You?
Dogs use many nonverbal methods to communicate with you, one of which is licking. The act of licking is a common way for dogs to express their instinctual needs, feelings, and desires — to both humans and other animals. While licking may seem to be a simple social action, there’s a wide range of reasons that lead your dog to lick. Read on to learn more about why dogs lick and what this behavior may mean.
The Importance of Puppy Playgroups: Why Socialization Matters
Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience. In these early weeks of their lives, proper socialization is key to helping them grow into confident, well-adjusted adult dogs. Small Door Veterinary’s Puppy Playgroup provides a structured, safe environment where puppies can develop essential social skills under professional supervision.
How to Keep Your Cat Off the Countertop
Instinctively, cats are climbers and love being high up off the ground. In the wild, cats love to explore vertical spaces, and they will often climb trees, rocks, or other objects in search of the perfect perch. But what do you do if your cat has started using your counter as their preferred space for climbing? Read on to learn more about this behavior and the steps you can take to keep your cat off the counter.
The Ultimate Guide to Pet Dental Health
Good dental health is essential for your pet’s overall well-being, yet it’s often overlooked. Just like humans, pets can suffer from plaque buildup, gum disease, and tooth decay, leading to pain, difficulty eating, and even systemic health issues affecting their heart, kidneys, and liver. Periodontal disease is one of the most common medical conditions in pets, affecting over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by age three. The good news? It’s preventable. Regular professional cleanings, at-home dental care, and early detection of problems can help keep your pet’s mouth healthy and pain-free. This guide covers everything you need to know about pet dental care, from recognizing signs of dental disease to understanding the importance of anesthesia-assisted cleanings and at-home maintenance tips. Read on to ensure your pet enjoys a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Carsickness and Motion Sickness in Cats
If you have experienced travel sickness or seasickness, you may be familiar with the nauseous feeling and upset stomach that motion sickness can cause. Motion sickness can also cause unpleasant symptoms for your cat when they are in a place with a lot of back-and-forth movements, like a car or a boat. Read on to learn about symptoms to watch for in your cat and how to manage them.
Carsickness and Motion Sickness in Dogs
If you’ve ever noticed your dog excessively panting, drooling, or licking their lips while on a car ride, your dog may be experiencing travel or motion sickness. While it is a common occurrence, motion sickness can be stressful for your dog, as well as an inconvenience for pet parents. Thankfully, travel sickness can be easily treated and prevented. Read on to learn what steps to take so that you and your pup can travel together worry-free.
Coughing in Cats
Has your cat ever had a coughing episode that made you wonder why? While an occasional cough can be normal, frequent or ongoing coughing may signal an underlying problem in your cat’s respiratory system. Read on to learn what causes coughing in cats, how it’s diagnosed, and what treatment options are available.
Gabapentin in Cats
Gabapentin is a prescription medication that can help treat many different conditions in cats, ranging from seizures to chronic pain to anxiety. Read on to find out how gabapentin works and when your veterinarian may recommend it for your cat.
Why Do Dogs Lick You?
Dogs use many nonverbal methods to communicate with you, one of which is licking. The act of licking is a common way for dogs to express their instinctual needs, feelings, and desires — to both humans and other animals. While licking may seem to be a simple social action, there’s a wide range of reasons that lead your dog to lick. Read on to learn more about why dogs lick and what this behavior may mean.
How to Put Your Dog on a Diet
Obesity is more common among dogs than you might think. An estimated 56% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. Like humans, dogs face serious health consequences due to excess weight or obesity. Unfortunately, dog obesity often goes underrecognized. That’s why, as a pet parent, you must pay close attention to your dog’s weight.
Are Vegetarian and Vegan Diets Safe for Cats & Dogs?
Between 5-10% of the US population follow either a vegetarian or vegan diet, for a range of health-related, ideological or religious reasons. It’s understandable that some vegetarians and vegans may feel uncomfortable feeding animal products to their pets, as it goes against their personal beliefs. However, it’s important to be aware of the risks these diets present for cats and dogs, and their potential to not meet your pet’s nutritional needs.
Thanksgiving Food Your Pet Can and Can’t Eat
As you’re preparing your Thanksgiving feast, you may wonder what treats you can safely share with your pet. As the number of accidental poisonings soar over Thanksgiving and the holidays, with pets getting into delicacies intended for their humans, it’s important to know which tasty treats are safe and which to steer clear of.
The Importance of Puppy Playgroups: Why Socialization Matters
Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience. In these early weeks of their lives, proper socialization is key to helping them grow into confident, well-adjusted adult dogs. Small Door Veterinary’s Puppy Playgroup provides a structured, safe environment where puppies can develop essential social skills under professional supervision.
Dog Vaccine Schedule: A Guide To Dog & Puppy Shot Schedules
Vaccinations, or shots, are one of the key components of preventative wellness care. They protect your dog from serious diseases by building their immunity. Administering vaccines and boosters at the right time over your dog’s lifetime is really important, as immunity fades over time. Check out our handy guide below to learn more about dog vaccines and schedules.
Vaccine Schedules for Cats & Kittens
Vaccinations are a crucial tool to help keep your cat healthy. They help your cat build immunity to protect them against serious infectious diseases, and help to stop the spread of those diseases. As immunity fades over time, it’s really important to administer vaccine boosters to your cat throughout their life, at specific times. Read on to learn more about cat vaccines and schedules.
Dog Friendly Places in Brooklyn: Your Local Guide
Brooklyn is widely considered one of the most pet friendly boroughs in New York City. As veterinary professionals who serve this community, we understand that a "dog-friendly" lifestyle is essential for the mental and physical health of urban pets. From the sprawling historic acres of Prospect Park to the industrial-chic breweries of Gowanus and Williamsburg, Brooklyn offers a diverse landscape where pets are truly integrated into the social fabric. In this guide, we provide an authoritative look at the most reliable dog friendly places in Brooklyn. Our recommendations are curated based on facility safety, environmental quality, and the high standards of care we expect for our patients. Whether you are seeking a quiet cafe for morning work or a spacious brewery for a weekend hangout, this is your clinical and local expert resource.
Dog Friendly Places in Williamsburg: Your Local Guide
Williamsburg has evolved into one of the most pet friendly neighborhoods in the world. As veterinary experts who serve the Brooklyn community, we see firsthand how the industrial-chic landscape has been reimagined to support a vibrant life for dogs and their owners. From the sprawling waterfront views of Domino Park to the countless sidewalk cafes of Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg offers a sophisticated urban experience where your pet is truly a part of the social fabric. In this guide, we provide an authoritative look at the most reliable dog friendly places in Williamsburg. Our recommendations are curated based on facility safety, environmental quality, and the high standards of care we expect for our patients. Whether you are looking for a post-walk craft beer or a boutique shopping experience, this is your clinical and local expert resource.
Dog Friendly Places in Park Slope: Your Local Guide
Park Slope is widely considered one of the most pet-friendly neighborhoods in New York City. With its brownstone-lined streets, proximity to the vast expanse of Prospect Park, and a community that treats four-legged residents like family, it is a haven for dog owners. Whether you are a long-time resident or just visiting for the day, navigating the local scene with a dog in tow is remarkably easy if you know where to go. This guide provides a comprehensive look at the best spots in the neighborhood to eat, drink, shop, and play with your dog. At Small Door Veterinary, we believe that a healthy pet is a social and active one, and there is no better place to foster that lifestyle than right here in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
The Importance of Puppy Playgroups: Why Socialization Matters
Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience. In these early weeks of their lives, proper socialization is key to helping them grow into confident, well-adjusted adult dogs. Small Door Veterinary’s Puppy Playgroup provides a structured, safe environment where puppies can develop essential social skills under professional supervision.
Small Door's Editorial Policy
At Small Door Veterinary, we prioritize delivering accurate, high-quality content that pet parents can trust. In this article, we’ll walk you through our thorough editorial process, from how we select topics to the fact-checking and editing that every piece undergoes before publication. Whether it’s medical information or lifestyle advice, our team of veterinary experts ensures all content is backed by trusted sources and peer-reviewed research. Discover how we maintain the highest standards to keep you informed and your pets happy and healthy.
Operating post COVID-19
Our operating procedures at our practices will be continuously updated in accordance with CDC and State guidelines. Please see below for the latest.