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 pet health, wellness, behavior and more, written by our expert veterinarians.
Dogs
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.
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Dogs
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.
Dogs
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.
Puppies & Kittens
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.
Medical
Vomiting in Cats
Occasional, single episodes of vomiting in cats and kittens are a completely normal occurrence. However, if you find that your cat is becoming sick for a prolonged period of time, it may be an indication of an underlying condition. Read on to learn more about vomiting in cats and how it is evaluated and treated.
Medical
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.
Cats
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.
Medical
Pet Travel Certificates Explained
If you’re planning a trip and your furry friend is tagging along, there are a few steps you’ll need to take in preparation. Planning ahead is key. From traveling to a different state to jetting to another country, requirements will differ based on your destination.
Dogs
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.
Medical
Pet Insurance 101
When your pet suddenly gets sick or injured, pet insurance can make the difference between a difficult decision and life-saving care. With so many providers, policies, and add-on options to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Doing a little research upfront can help you find the best plan for you and your pet.
Destructive Behavior in Dogs
Dogs are known to occasionally engage in destructive behaviors, such as chewing on shoes, scratching pillows, raiding the garbage, digging up plants, or stealing a sock from the laundry. There are ways to treat and prevent destructive behaviors, but first, you’ll need to determine what provokes these tendencies.
Separation Anxiety in Dogs
Separation anxiety in dogs can cause pet owners an incredible amount of frustration. However, understanding the underlying causes of it may help mitigate some frustration, as well as providing owners with the information they need to manage and treat their dog’s condition.
Common Household Pet Poisons
It can feel daunting to keep your furry friends happy and healthy with so many toxic things around – especially in the household. With so many of them right under your nose, use this list to pet-proof your home and learn what to do if your pet has ingested any poisonous products.
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.
Vomiting in Cats
Occasional, single episodes of vomiting in cats and kittens are a completely normal occurrence. However, if you find that your cat is becoming sick for a prolonged period of time, it may be an indication of an underlying condition. Read on to learn more about vomiting in cats and how it is evaluated and treated.
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.
Human Food That Makes Good Pet Treats
When you’re stuck indoors, sometimes you need to find creative ways to make the most of what you already have. First toilet paper disappeared off store shelves, and now pet food is becoming a hot commodity. If your dog or cat can’t get a fix of their go-to treats, here are some human foods you can safely substitute.
Are Grain-Free Diets Safe for Dogs?
As a pet parent, it can be incredibly difficult to know what type of diet is best for your dog. One trend that has become popular in recent years is grain-free dog food, however, it’s important to understand the science and implications of this diet, to make an informed decision about your pet’s nutrition.
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.
Puppy 101: Developing a Positive Vet Experience
Do you enjoy going to the doctor’s office, or hanging out in hospitals? If not, perhaps you can understand why your dog’s favorite place probably isn’t the vet. Let’s face it: vet practices can be stressful places for pets (and their owners). But the good news is that acclimating your puppy to different sounds, smells, people, and animals from an early age can help them create positive behavior traits. And that translates to easier, more positive vet trips for you, your dog, and your vet.
Hot Spots on Dogs
Is your dog suffering from hot spots? If he can’t stop licking, biting, or scratching at an itchy red sore, your dog may indeed have a hot spot. Read on to learn what hot spots on dogs are, how to identify them, and most importantly, how to treat them.
Emergency Planning for Your Pet
While it’s not something any of us like to dwell on, it’s important to know exactly what you’ll do in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. A vital part of any household’s emergency plan involves its pets! Read on to learn how to ensure your pet is safe if the worst happens, including all the steps you should take in advance, and what exactly to pack in your pet’s go-bag.
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.
Drop-Off Visits
At Small Door, our first priority is to protect our members, our team and the wider community. With this in mind, we’ve taken a number of steps to help limit human interaction, including drop-off visits.