The CriTTer Concierge

03/19/2026

From my friend, Dr. Christi Ane:

Your dog is demonstrating a timeless evolutionary behavioural gesture...not doing yoga!

🐕 What Is a Play Bow?
A play bow happens when an animal lowers the front of its body to the ground while keeping the hindquarters raised. The posture is relaxed, often paired with a loose wagging tail and soft facial expression.
It’s essentially an animal’s way of saying:
“I’m friendly. I come in peace. Let’s interact safely.”

🌿 Why It Matters
This gesture is a powerful non-confrontational signal. It prevents misunderstandings by clearly separating play behavior from aggression. Even if a dog playfully nips or bumps, the bow communicates that the intention is friendly.

In the wild, clear communication prevents injury. Animals that signal peaceful intent are more likely to maintain strong alliances and group stability.
• African wild dogs (painted wolves) use similar body postures to reinforce teamwork and peaceful interaction within the pack.

🧠 Evolutionary Significance
This posture evolved as a conflict-reduction strategy. Play can look similar to fighting, so animals developed exaggerated, recognizable signals to avoid dangerous misunderstandings.
It’s comparable to humans smiling or laughing to show friendliness.

❤️ Emotional Meaning for Dogs Today
When your dog bows to you, they may be saying:
• “I trust you.” • “I feel safe.” • “I want to play.” • “I’m happy you’re here.”
It’s one of the clearest signs of positive emotional intent in canine communication.

🌎 A Universal Language of Peace
From wild packs to living rooms, the play bow remains a timeless gesture of:
Peace • Trust • Friendship • Safe Social Connection
A beautiful reminder that animals, like humans, thrive on clear communication and respectful interaction.

10/09/2025

08/04/2025

We have been seeing an increase in clients asking about “anesthesia-free dental cleanings”

Keeping your pet’s teeth clean isn’t just about fresh breath—it’s essential for their overall health. While anesthesia-free dental cleanings (AFDs) might seem like a safer, more affordable option, they are not a substitute for a veterinary COHAT (Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment).

As AFDs grow in popularity, we want to share some key information to help you make informed choices about your pet’s dental care.

AFDs are appealing because they are offered at a lower price point and don’t require anesthesia. However, it’s important to understand what AFDs actually do, and more importantly what they don’t. They may seem like a low-risk way to improve your pet’s dental health, but they can come at the cost of missing serious issues.

*AFDs are cosmetic only. They remove visible tartar above the gumline, making the teeth look cleaner, but they don’t address the most important part of dental health, the area below the gumline. This is where bacteria and disease live—and they can’t be reached without anesthesia.

*Without anesthesia, vital steps are missed. Dental x-rays, thorough oral exams, and treatments like extractions aren’t possible during an AFD. This means problems like fractured or abscessed teeth often go undiagnosed and untreated, causing pain and long-term complications.

The biggest concern is the false sense of security. Pets’ teeth look white and fresh after an AFD, but serious issues remain hidden. Owners in turn delay proper dental care, while serious painful conditions progress.

We want every pet owner to understand that an AFD is not equivalent to a COHAT. We completely understand concerns about anesthesia and cost, and we’re always here to discuss options. Our goal is to provide safe, comprehensive, and compassionate care that truly protects your pet’s health.

Investing in professional dental care now helps prevent bigger problems, and higher costs, later.

Reach out to us if you have any questions!

Westboro Animal Hospital
Cameron Veterinary Professional Corporation
348 Whitby Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario
Phone: (613) 722 - 5717
Text: (365) 536 - 0085
Web: http://www.westboroanimalhospital.com
Email: [email protected]

07/10/2025

A reminder
🌊 Beach days can be dangerous… but not in the way you might think.
If your dog loves chasing waves, drinking saltwater, or playing fetch in the ocean—they’re at risk of water intoxication.
💧What is it?
When dogs swallow too much water (especially saltwater), it can throw off their sodium levels. This causes cells to swell—including in the brain. It can lead to vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures, or worse.
👀 Watch for signs after beach play:
• Lethargy or wobbliness
• Bloating or vomiting
• Glazed eyes or drooling
🐾 Limit water play time, offer fresh water breaks, and never let them gulp saltwater. If something seems off—call your vet immediately.

06/22/2025

Excellent advice during this heat wave!🔥

06/06/2025

In the 1870s, the city of Liège in Belgium conducted an unusual experiment involving cats as mail carriers.

As part of a test proposed by the Belgian Society for the Elevation of the Domestic Cat, 37 cats were trained to deliver messages in small waterproof bags attached to their necks. The cats were released in villages around Liège with the goal of returning home with the mail, similar to how carrier pigeons operated.

While some cats did successfully return—one in under five hours—the overall results were inconsistent, as the cats tended to follow their own whims rather than strict delivery routes.

Due to their unreliable nature, the experiment was never repeated.

05/28/2025

05/25/2025

If you’re using any fertilizer on your lawn this spring or summer, be sure to read the label first and follow all instructions to make sure you know when it’s safe again for your pet. If ingested, smaller amounts can cause an upset stomach, but larger amounts can cause severe poisoning from the iron, nitrogen and other chemicals.

05/20/2025

Public health responds to hundreds of incidents of people being bitten by animals. A large proportion of these incidents involved dogs, and in almost all of these incidents, the bite could have been prevented. To learn more, visit: https://bit.ly/4drGqqS