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There are over 600,000 dogs in New York City, a number that may surprise few. Urban dogs need daily exercise, but it’s not always easy to balance this commitment with work and life. There are dozens of dog walkers in Brooklyn to choose from (and throughout the boroughs), but how do you find the right match for your best buddy?

If slobbering all over the place is a skill, dogs would be the ultimate masters. Sure, there are some breeds that don’t have slippery lips, but generally speaking, it is a common canine trait (we’re looking at you, Newfoundlands, mastiffs, and St. Bernards). Dog drool is simply part of the territory, but understanding the physiology of this action sure is helpful. Why does your dog drool, and are there ways to minimize the thick globs from wetting your floors and furniture?

If dogs could use napkins or their sleeves to wipe away drool, they probably wouldn’t. They don’t care about being neat and tidy. Dog slobber is a characteristic that dog lovers tend to (begrudgingly) overlook. In trade, dog people get an abundance of affection and loyalty. That’s worth every bit of slobber!

Your pet’s paws are precious. Something about those sweet little feet can melt just about any heart. When there is something wrong with them, though, it can be absolutely anxiety-inducing for both you and your dog.

Dog paw problems are not uncommon, but at All Creatures Veterinary Hospital of Brooklyn we have the expertise and knowledge to get your pet back on their feet. 

If you’ve noticed your dog scratching a lot more lately, you are not alone. The team at All Creatures Veterinary Hospital gets plenty of questions about this behavior as the weather begins to warm. Seasonal allergies in canines are a frequent cause of skin disorders and other complications this time of year. Keep reading for more information on how seasonal allergies affect your pet and which dog allergy treatment can take the itch out of spring.

Dogs do some pretty weird stuff from time to time, but most of their canine behaviors are recognizable and shrugged off as “normal”. The odd or uncharacteristic noise of a reverse sneeze, though,  can sound downright alarming. 

Based on the sounds they’re making, you might think your dog is choking or unable to breath, but with a reverse sneeze that is rarely the case. While a pet experiencing a reverse sneeze might not need emergency care, there are things you can do at home to ease the process. 

Most of us don’t enjoy getting up close and personal with our pet’s body odor. Even the cleanest among them still has that unmistakable doggie or kitty smell. But if you have ever gotten a whiff of your pet’s feet, you may have noticed something peculiar about it. That’s right! They smell like corn chips.

If your pet’s feet smell like Frito’s, you may wonder if something is wrong. Is it normal? Thankfully, the team at All Creatures Veterinary Hospital of Brooklyn is here to explain this phenomenon and why it occurs in so many pets.

The arrival of spring brings with it plenty to be excited about – abundant sunshine, leaves on the trees, and relief from the endless winter, just to name a few.

Among the downsides of spring are the arrival of ticks, and here in the Northeast we have more than our fair share of these creepy crawlies to content with. Those of us with dogs know all too well how easy it is for our canine companions to pick up a hitchhiker or two after a walk or romp in the park.

It’s no secret that ticks can transmit a variety of diseases to people and pets, and Lyme disease is one of the most common, and most concerning. Preventing Lyme disease in dogs is critical to their long term health and well being, and fortunately it’s relatively simple!

Dogs have some pretty endearing habits, but eating poop (either their own or another animals’) is not one of them. Although the behavior is mostly normal, no one wants their dog to raid the litter box or gulp down a stinky snack from the yard or sidewalk.

At All Creatures Veterinary Hospital, we are often asked the question “Why do dogs eat poop?”. Although there is no one answer, we can offer some insight into this unpleasant culinary choice.

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

Poop-eating, technically known as coprophagia, may be normal, but that doesn’t make it any less upsetting. Watching your sweet pup happily gobble down their own feces or the feces of other animals can be an unpleasant shock to witness. 

Ancestrally, however, coprophagia served an important role – collective poop eating kept the den clean, and mother dogs and wolves routinely clean up after their puppies in this way.

So, you’re considering adding a four-legged, tail wagging, best friend to your family, congratulations! Adopting a dog is an amazing and life changing experience, and before you enter into this special relationship, your friends at All Creatures Veterinary Hospital want to help you make sure you’re ready for all the responsibilities and joys that accompany a new pet.

A New Family Member

Before adopting a dog or any other pet, it’s important to take an honest look at your lifestyle, daily and weekly schedules, and energy level. Do you have the time necessary to devote to the daily care, exercise, training, and entertainment of a dog? If you have other people living in your home, how much or little will they be involved in your new pet’s care?

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