Living with a pet who struggles with one or more serious behaviour disorders can be overwhelming and emotionally draining. These issues can disrupt daily routines, strain the bond between families and their pets, and even make essential veterinary or grooming care difficult or unsafe. At the same time, pets living with behaviour disorders often find it difficult to cope with everyday life and may experience chronic stress or emotional distress.
Veterinary behaviour medicine is a medical specialty focused on identifying and treating the underlying causes of behaviour disorders in animals. Our team has the skills to guide families through practical, individualized treatment strategies for dogs, cats, and other companion animals.
Veterinary behaviourists are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat behavioural conditions while also evaluating for underlying medical issues that may contribute to the behaviour. Behaviour disorders may include anxiety-, fear-, or aggression-based problems, as well as compulsive behaviours or elimination issues in cats such as urinating or defecating outside the litter box.
It is never too early to seek help. Early intervention can make a meaningful difference for both pets and their families. Whether your pet is showing signs of fear, anxiety, reactivity, compulsive behaviours, or age-related cognitive changes, our Behaviour Medicine team is here to help.
Veterinary behaviour consultations offer pet owners clarity, support, and a practical path forward when behaviour issues arise — whether at home, in public, or in the clinic. Through the consultation process, clients can:
By helping owners make informed, thoughtful decisions about their pet’s emotional health, veterinary behaviour consultations can significantly improve quality of life — for both pets and the people who care for them.
Each behaviour consultation involves a detailed assessment including a thorough review of your pet’s behaviour and medical history, evaluation of submitted video footage, and a comprehensive in-person assessment. Recommendations may include diagnostic testing to help rule out or confirm underlying medical or behaviour disorders, behaviour modification strategies, environmental and management adjustments, and, when indicated, medication.
As part of a full-service specialty hospital, our behaviour team also has ready access to in-house specialists across multiple disciplines—allowing for seamless collaboration whenever additional medical expertise is needed. We are happy to work with your family veterinarian to ensure continuity of care and support for your pet’s long-term well-being.
We also recognize that treatment plans need to work for the entire household. Our team collaborates with pet owners to create realistic, practical recommendations that support both the pet’s wellbeing and the family’s comfort level.
We understand that many pets referred to Behaviour Medicine are already anxious, fearful, or easily overwhelmed in veterinary settings. That’s why every part of the appointment experience is designed to reduce stress and help your pet feel as comfortable as possible from the moment they arrive.
To help minimize stressful encounters, Behaviour Medicine patients are provided with designated parking at the back of the hospital, allowing families to avoid busy waiting areas and main entrances whenever possible. Our team carefully coordinates arrivals so pets can move directly into the exam space with minimal exposure to unfamiliar people or animals.
Inside the Behaviour Medicine area, appointments take place in larger-than-average consultation rooms designed with patient comfort in mind. Calming music, pheromones, and a quieter environment help create a more relaxed experience for both pets and their owners.
Our goal is not only to reduce stress during the visit, but also to help pets build more positive experiences with veterinary care over time.
It can be difficult to know when a pet’s behaviour is more than just a “quirk” or a training problem. Many pets struggle silently with fear, anxiety, stress, or changes in behaviour that affect their quality of life and their relationship with the family. Behaviour concerns can range from mild anxiety to more complex emotional or cognitive issues, and owners often feel overwhelmed after trying multiple approaches on their own, and unsure when to seek additional help.
A pet may benefit from a behaviour medicine consultation if they:
These behaviours often reflect an underlying emotional or medical disorder rather than simply “bad behaviour.”
Pain, gastrointestinal problems, skin conditions, respiratory issues, and neurological conditions (like seizures) can all affect how a pet behaves. Chronic stress can also impact hormone levels and brain chemistry, leading to problems such as compulsive behaviours, exaggerated fear responses, or changes in appetite and drinking habits.
A thorough veterinary behavioural assessment includes reviewing your pet’s medical and behaviour history, performing a complete behavioural exam , and recommending diagnostic tests when needed to help rule out underlying medical causes.
Board-certified veterinarians are veterinarians with advanced training in their specialty who stay current on the latest scientific findings through research, clinical practice, and professional continuing education. Behaviourists approach behaviour issues from a medical perspective, identifying physical or psychological contributors to animals’ behaviour.
Only veterinarians who have achieved board certification through the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) may call themselves “veterinary behaviourists.”
We work closely with qualified trainers to facilitate behaviour modification for pets with behaviour disorders – similar to a surgeon who works with a physical therapist to ensure the pet receives holistic care.
Choosing a board-certified veterinary behaviourist ensures that your pet’s treatment is evidence-based, humane, and focused on overall well-being.
Behaviour consultations are available for dogs, cats, and other companion animals experiencing challenges such as:
Each case is approached individually, with services including:
Walk-ins are welcome; no appointment is required.
If you are able, call ahead and let us know you are coming.
Our phone number is (604) 514-8383
There are so many reasons to bring your pet to us for specialty services or an emergency. Here are our top seven.
