Pet behavioural concerns

During a behavioural consultation, we’ll discuss your pet’s behaviour and history and conduct a nose-to-tail exam. Sometimes pain or a hidden health condition can manifest as aggression or anxiety, so it’s important to rule out physical issues before beginning treatment for a behavioural condition. We’ll also work with you to develop a treatment plan, which may include medication, lifestyle changes, and training.

Separation anxiety can happen when pets are left alone by their owners. Our vets have a number of techniques that can help with separations including socialization, crate training, positive reinforcement, providing high-stimulation distractions, increasing exercise, switching up your routine, and staying calm during arrivals and departures. We may also prescribe anti-anxiety medication during the training process.

Aggressive or territorial behaviour often stems from anxiety, but our vets can help you determine the root cause. We have many techniques to help with aggressive or territorial pets, including socialization, crate training, positive reinforcement, increasing exercise, and switching up your routine. We can also recommend excellent trainers, who are very helpful with this type of behaviour.

Medication can be helpful for certain behavioural issues. It can lower anxiety and fear levels and help your pet cope with training or lifestyle changes, and can also be taken long-term to help your pet deal with triggers and lead a less-stressful life. Our vets will speak to you about medication and if it’s right for your pet.

Anti-anxiety medication is often helpful at the start of a treatment or training program, but may not be needed after your pet unlearns certain behaviours. Some pets may require long-term medication but only for particular triggers like fireworks or road trips. Other pets may benefit from daily medication. Our vets are happy to discuss what’s best for your pet.

It’s common for pets to become territorial or aggressive around another animal, especially if one is new to the household. There are a number of ways to improve your pets’ relationship, including separate exploration time, creating separate areas of the house for each pet, creating separate feeding areas and times, separate toys, calming aids like pheromone collars or diffusers, and more. Positive reinforcement with plenty of treats and praise will also help! Our vets are happy to develop a training program for your pets.

Definitely not! Even if you and your pet have struggled for a long time, there are always new tactics we can try. Everyone in your household will lead a happier, calmer life if you can successfully treat your pet’s behavioural issue, so it’s important to keep trying. If you feel like you’ve tried everything, our vets can refer you to a board-certified veterinary behaviourist.