Ottawa Veterinary Behaviour Services

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Ottawa, ON
Ottawa Veterinary Behaviour Services

Need help with your pet’s behaviour? Dr. Michelle Nicholson is a vet with a special interest in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine.

She is able to offer virtual consult as well as occasional in person appointments.

11/04/2025

🚫 Not all “training tips” are worth following.

We know how much you want to do right by your dog — but some popular advice can quietly chip away at trust, safety, and emotional well-being.

A healthy training plan meets your dog’s needs first, then builds skills on that foundation. Because a dog who feels secure learns better, faster, and more joyfully. 💛

If you’ve ever been told to “tough it out,” “make them work for it,” or “show them who’s boss” — you deserve kinder, evidence-based support. We’re here for that.

10/31/2025

A clean, comfortable litter box isn’t a luxury — it’s essential to your cat’s health and emotional well-being. Here’s what “set up for success” really looks like 👇

✅ Size matters: Choose a large box — about 1.5x your cat’s length. Most commercial boxes are too small! Big, open boxes (like clear storage bins) make it easier for cats to turn, dig, and feel safe.

✅ Placement counts: Quiet, low-traffic areas are best. Avoid spaces near furnaces, washing machines, or appliances that turn on suddenly — those sounds can startle even the most confident cats.

✅ Quantity & spacing: One box per cat plus one extra, ideally in different rooms. This gives each cat options and prevents conflict or stress.

✅ Litter type: Most cats prefer unscented, low-dust, clumping litter. Scented litters might smell nice to us but can overwhelm a cat’s sensitive nose. Experiment to find what your cat likes best.

✅ Hygiene is everything: Think of scooping like “flushing every time you use it.” Scoop at least once daily, and clean with unscented dish soap and hot water weekly (or monthly at minimum). Keeping the box where you’ll see — and smell — it helps you stay consistent.

A clean, well-placed box means fewer accidents, happier cats, and a calmer household. 💛

10/27/2025

Halloween can be fun for us — but confusing or scary for our pets. 🎃

Costumes, doorbells, flashing lights, strange scents, and people who don’t look or move like themselves can all feel unpredictable or even threatening to animals. For pets already prone to fear or reactivity, that sudden chaos can be overwhelming. 😬

Preparing ahead gives them a better chance to cope calmly — whether that means practicing doorbell sounds, creating a safe retreat, or planning enrichment before the trick-or-treat rush begins. Speak to your veterinarian or us about medications that can help as well.

For some pets, Halloween is just too much and that's okay. If you see signs of fear, trying to escape or aggressive displays that are just not improving, it's best to find an alternative plan for your pet when you're out enjoying the festivities.

10/23/2025

Our appearance may have changed, but our purpose hasn’t.

At Ottawa Veterinary Behaviour Services, we’re still dedicated to helping you and your pet form a closer bond — through compassion, understanding, and collaborative care. 💛

Here’s to continuing our shared mission: supporting pets and their people with empathy, evidence, and lasting solutions.

10/16/2025

Stress is part of life for everyone, but for chronically stressed or anxious pets, it can feel never-ending. While we can't avoid every stressful experience, we can help our pets recover more easily.

Helping your pet complete the stress cycle builds resilience and supports them in returning to baseline so they can take the next stressful event in stride. How can we do this?

✨ Relaxation and breathwork training
✨ Licking, chewing, or sniffing activities
✨ Deep, restful sleep
✨ A “stress vacation” away from triggers - this might mean skipping walks altogether for a day or two, or only walking in one or two very quiet areas.

Helping our pets process stress resets the nervous system so your pet can feel safe, calm, and ready for what’s next.

👉 Follow us for more science-based tips on supporting your chronically stressed pet.

10/15/2025

💊 “Meds are a last resort.”
💊 “Medication will change their personality.”
💊 “Training is enough on its own.”

You’ve probably heard at least one of these myths before. The truth? Behavioural medication isn’t about quick fixes or turning your pet into someone they’re not. It’s about lowering fear, anxiety, and stress so they can feel safe enough to learn, thrive, and just be themselves.

Think of medication like glasses for the visually impaired: it doesn’t replace the work of learning, but it makes the process possible and far less overwhelming. 👓✨

When we talk about behavioural meds, we’re talking about one part of a whole puzzle 🧩 that also includes training, management, and overall welfare. For many pets, the right combination unlocks progress that felt impossible before.

👉 If you’ve been worried about medication, remember this: choosing the tools that help your pet feel safe is never failure — it’s compassion.

Save this post if you need a reminder, and share it with a fellow pet parent who might be struggling. 💛

10/13/2025

Behaviour change isn't linear. 📈➡️📉➡️📈

Some days feel like you’ve made huge progress, and the next can feel like you’re right back at the start. The truth? Those ups and downs are completely normal.

Setbacks don’t erase progress — they’re part of the process. Every small win still counts, and every hard moment is just more information to guide the way forward. 💛

👉 Be patient with yourself and your pet. You’re both learning, growing, and building resilience together.

✨ Save this for the days you need the reminder that the journey isn’t supposed to be perfect.

10/09/2025

Two cats wrestling — is it fun, or is it a fight? 😼
It’s not always easy to tell, but here are some clues:

✨ Play looks like:
Loose, bouncy movements
Taking turns
Pausing and re-engaging
Minimal vocalization

⚡️ Fighting looks like:
Stiff bodies and pinned ears
No breaks, no role-switching
Intense hissing, growling, or yowling
One cat trying to escape
Healthy play can be a fantastic source of enrichment for cats, but if it tips into a fight, stepping in safely can prevent relationships from souring.

👉 Share this post to help other cat families understand their cat! 🐾

10/08/2025

Does your dog bark, jump, or zoom around when something new happens? It can look like excitement — but sometimes, it’s really stress in disguise. 🐾

⚡️ Excessive attention seeking can be a displacement behaviour
⚡️ Jumping up may be a way to cope with big feelings.
⚡️ Zoomies aren’t always playful — they can also be a release of pent-up stress.

The tricky part? Stress and joy can look very similar on the surface. That’s why context and body language matter so much.

✨ If your dog seems “too excited,” it’s worth asking: are they having fun… or are they trying to cope? This is especially the case if your dog is in a situation that historically caused them stress.

Not sure if your dog is excited or not? Book a consultation and let's do a deep dive together to figure it out.

10/06/2025

When you’re navigating behaviour challenges, it’s not a quick fix — it’s a journey. And like any journey, the company you keep makes all the difference. 🐾

Your village matters. Trainers, vets, behaviour vets, family, and supportive friends all play a role in helping your pet (and you!) feel safe and supported.

Why? Because behaviour work isn’t a sprint. It takes time, consistency, and resilience. Having the right people on your side means you don’t have to carry the load alone.

We're in it for the long haul! We’re here to walk beside you through the ups and downs, making sure both you and your pet have the support you need to keep going.

Tag someone in your village to show them how grateful you are!

10/02/2025

Some stressors are obvious — like a stranger at the door or another dog on a walk. But others? They can slip right under the radar. 👀

🐽 Scents from cleaning products, new furniture, or even guests’ clothes.
👂 Sounds like the furnace kicking on, a squeaky toy, or seasonal noises (snowplows, lawnmowers).
💡 Lighting changes — flickers, shadows, reflections.
🍂 Seasonal shifts that bring new smells, routines, and energy levels into the home.

If your pet seems “off” and you can’t figure out why, it may be one of these subtle stressors. The good news? Identifying hidden triggers is the first step to helping your pet feel more comfortable and secure.

Was this helpful? Follow us for more behaviour content!

Address

Ottawa, ON
K2P0K8

Telephone

+16134545818

Website

http://ottawavetbehaviour.ca/

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STRENGTHENING THE BOND BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR PET

Need help with your pet’s behaviour? Dr. Michelle Nicholson is a veterinarian with a special interest in Veterinary Behaviour Medicine. Her mobile practice brings veterinary behaviour care out of a clinic setting and into your home or other familiar environment for your pet.