Ottawa Veterinary Behaviour Services

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.

Cats do not purposely use the bathroom outside the litter box to “get back at” their people. When litter box habits chan...
06/19/2026

Cats do not purposely use the bathroom outside the litter box to “get back at” their people. When litter box habits change, it’s usually a sign that something is affecting the cat’s ability to feel comfortable, safe, or well.

Stress, environmental conflict, litter box setup or cleanliness, and changes in routine can play a significant role in sudden house soiling. So can medical concerns such as urinary tract disease, pain, gastrointestinal issues, or mobility changes.

Because both medical and behavioural factors may be involved, changes in litter box habits are information — not something to dismiss as anger or spite. Your cat may be communicating something important to you.

If your cat’s litter box habits have changed, we can help you sort through possible causes and discuss next steps. 📋✓

Biting is a behaviour, not a personality trait — and dogs bite for many different reasons. Fear, pain, resource guarding...
06/15/2026

Biting is a behaviour, not a personality trait — and dogs bite for many different reasons. Fear, pain, resource guarding, and overarousal can all play a role depending on the individual dog and the situation.

Because the underlying cause matters, understanding why a bite occurred is an important part of preventing future incidents and supporting behaviour safely. A dog experiencing pain may need a very different approach than a dog struggling with fear, frustration, or emotional regulation.

Looking at the emotional, physical, and environmental factors surrounding behaviour helps us move beyond labels and toward more effective support.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s behaviour or noticing changes in tolerance, we can help you look at the full picture and discuss next steps.

Many dogs find fireworks and thunderstorms distressing. Loud, unpredictable sounds can activate strong fear responses, e...
06/10/2026

Many dogs find fireworks and thunderstorms distressing. Loud, unpredictable sounds can activate strong fear responses, especially when paired with vibrations, flashes of light, pressure changes, or previous frightening experiences.

Preparing ahead of time can help reduce stress during sound events. Create a quiet retreat space, use white noise or calming music, offer enrichment, adjust walking schedules/potty breaks, and stay close if your dog seeks reassurance. For some dogs, additional behaviour support or medication may also be appropriate.

Sound sensitivity often becomes more intense over time if dogs repeatedly experience fear. Early intervention can make a meaningful difference in behaviour and overall wellbeing.

If your dog struggles during fireworks or storms, we can help you explore strategies that support comfort and reduce distress.

Our goal with behaviour medication is not to suppress your pet, or change their personality. Our goal is to reduce level...
06/07/2026

Our goal with behaviour medication is not to suppress your pet, or change their personality. Our goal is to reduce levels of fear, anxiety, and stress to help your pet feel better and be more receptive to behaviour modification.

If you’re hesitant to ask your veterinarian for medical support for your pet because you’re afraid of side effects, know that we don’t want to see them either. We want medical intervention to support your pet’s ability to learn, thrive, and feel more comfortable in the world. We don’t want medication to make things more difficult for you and your pet.

If your pet becomes lethargic, subdued, agitated, uninterested in food, or otherwise unlike their normal self, your vet wants to know. These impacts indicate adjustments may be needed to your pet’s medication plan.

If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always worth checking in. If you want to talk about medication and the right fit for your pet, reach out.

People don't often think about teaching their cat skills, but many cats enjoy training! Especially when it’s done in a w...
06/04/2026

People don't often think about teaching their cat skills, but many cats enjoy training! Especially when it’s done in a way that feels safe, rewarding, and low-pressure. Training provides mental stimulation, encourages problem-solving, and gives cats opportunities to engage with people in positive, predictable ways.

Training can also support everyday care and behaviour by helping cats build confidence, learn useful skills, and practice alternative behaviours. For many cats, short training sessions are enriching, for their emotional wellbeing and for their relationship with their humans.

What kinds of things have you taught your cat to do?

Here is your reminder that behaviour and physical wellbeing are closely connected.When a pet is uncomfortable, behaviour...
06/01/2026

Here is your reminder that behaviour and physical wellbeing are closely connected.

When a pet is uncomfortable, behaviour modification is going to be more difficult. Pain and discomfort can affect tolerance, focus, movement, and emotional responses — often showing up as behaviour changes before anything else is obvious.

Feeling unwell could even be the direct cause of your pet’s behaviour: like a dog who growls when you try to brush his ears. If that dog has an ear infection, he doesn’t need training for cooperative brushing. He needs his ear infection treated.

In these cases, progress doesn’t come from more training alone. It comes from identifying and addressing what the pet is experiencing, and supporting both their physical comfort and their ability to cope.

How has pain or discomfort shown up in your pet’s behaviour? ⬇️

While many cats are comfortable spending time alone, others may find it more difficult. When cats show changes in behavi...
05/29/2026

While many cats are comfortable spending time alone, others may find it more difficult. When cats show changes in behaviour around departures, or during time alone, it can be a sign that something about the experience feels stressful.

Some signs your cat may be uncomfortable with alone time include increased vocalization, changes in litter box habits, destructiveness, shifts in appetite or sleep, and overgrooming. These behaviours can have more than one cause, including medical factors or other sources of stress, which is why speaking with a behaviour vet is important.

Understanding what’s driving the behaviour is the first step toward helping your cat feel more comfortable and secure when you’re away. If you’re noticing these patterns and aren’t sure what they mean, we can help you sort through possible causes and next steps.

From a veterinary perspective, behaviour is closely tied to an animal’s emotional and physical state. Many of the behavi...
05/26/2026

From a veterinary perspective, behaviour is closely tied to an animal’s emotional and physical state. Many of the behaviours we see in clinic are influenced by overwhelming feelings or discomfort — not stubbornness, laziness, or dominance.

Because of that, our goal is not to stop behaviour, but to understand what is driving it. Punishment may interrupt behaviour in the moment, but it does not address the underlying cause. In some cases, it can increase stress, reduce communication, and make behaviour more difficult to assess and treat over time.

When we suppress a behaviour, we might actually lose valuable information about the effectiveness of our intervention. All behaviour is feedback to us about how our cat or dog is feeling and coping. Instead, behaviour support should focus on reducing stress, addressing medical contributors, and helping animals develop safer, more sustainable ways to cope with (and thrive in) their environment.

If you’re navigating behaviour challenges and aren’t sure where to start, we can help you build a plan that supports behaviour without compromising wellbeing. Click the link in our bio to learn more.

Behavioural changes can be an early indication that something doesn’t feel right for a cat. Increased vocalization, chan...
05/23/2026

Behavioural changes can be an early indication that something doesn’t feel right for a cat. Increased vocalization, changes in litter box use, shifts in sleep, resting spots or appetite, excessive grooming, sensitivity to touch, and changes to social interactions are ways a cat might communicate pain, stress, or underlying health issues.

Cats are very good at masking physical discomfort, so these changes are sometimes mistaken for behaviour problems rather than signs of a medical or physical issue. Looking at behaviour through a medical lens helps us understand what might be physically contributing to changes, especially if these changes are sudden or progressive for your cat.

When we address discomfort, like pain, illness, or another physical stressor, behaviour change can follow. If you’ve noticed changes in your cat and aren’t sure what they might mean, we can help you look at the full picture and decide on next steps.

Many pets trial more than one medication before they find the right fit. Medication trials are a normal part of finding ...
05/20/2026

Many pets trial more than one medication before they find the right fit. Medication trials are a normal part of finding the most effective support for your pet.

Just like in human medicine, there isn’t always a single medication that works for every individual. There are a lot of options available to treat one single condition. It can take time, observation, and a few adjustments to find the option — or combination — that fits your pet best.

We have research on which drugs best support your pet’s condition, but your individual pet may respond better to the second or third option they trial. While we try different medications, we’re watching closely, making changes, and using your pet’s response to guide next steps.

Assessing whether or not a medication is supporting your pet in the best way is part of the behaviour change process. If you’re wondering whether it’s time to have your pet’s medication plan reviewed, let's connect.

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Ottawa, ON
K2P0K8

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+16134545818

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