New clients welcome! Limited time free first exam (terms apply) - Book Today!

(603) 642-9700Book Appointment

Dog

Cat

Behavioral Counseling

Struggling with behavior issues? We help you understand and improve your pet's habits and routines.

Behavioral Counseling: Helping Pets Feel and Behave Their Best

Just like people, pets can experience anxiety, fear, aggression, and other behavioral challenges. Whether it’s a barking dog, a cat who hides constantly, or a pet struggling with separation anxiety, our veterinary behavioral counseling services are here to help restore peace and balance for your pet and your home.

What Is Behavioral Counseling?

Behavioral counseling involves identifying and addressing the root causes of undesirable behaviors through professional guidance, behavior modification, and, when needed, medical support.

Common issues we help with include:

  • Separation anxiety

  • Aggression toward people or other animals

  • Excessive barking or vocalization

  • Destructive behavior (chewing, digging, etc.)

  • House soiling or inappropriate elimination

  • Fear-based behaviors (e.g., during thunderstorms or vet visits)

Our goal is to help your pet feel safe, understood, and better equipped to adapt to their environment.

How Does It Work?

Our process typically includes:

  1. A comprehensive physical exam and health screening (to rule out medical causes)

  2. A detailed behavior history, including environment, triggers, and routines

  3. A tailored behavior modification plan

  4. Recommendations for training, enrichment, and in some cases, anti-anxiety medication

We take a compassionate, non-punitive approach, focusing on trust-building, positive reinforcement, and realistic goals.

Why Address Behavior Early?

Behavioral issues rarely resolve on their own—and can worsen over time if ignored. Early intervention improves outcomes and protects your pet’s long-term mental and emotional health.

In some cases, behaviors may be linked to underlying conditions like pain, hearing loss, or cognitive decline, especially in older pets. That’s why a veterinary-led approach is key.

What Makes Our Support Different?

Unlike basic obedience training, veterinary behavioral counseling is:

  • Backed by medical insight and diagnostic screening

  • Personalized to your pet’s emotional and physical health

  • Supportive of both the pet and the pet owner’s experience

  • Integrated with your pet’s broader wellness care plan

We’re here to work with you, not just on your pet’s behavior, but on making life better for everyone involved.

Your pet’s behavior is a window into how they’re feeling. If you’re facing challenges at home, don’t wait—early support can make a world of difference.

🐾 Looking to keep your pet healthy and happy? Visit us—we’re here to support every step of the way.

Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center FAQs

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team.

Cats may stop using their litter box for many reasons, including behavioral issues like disliking odors in multi-cat homes or signaling that the box needs cleaning. Medical causes can include bladder infections, crystals, kidney stones, or chronic diarrhea. Senior cats may also struggle with boxes that are too high due to joint pain. If your cat suddenly avoids the box or cries out when trying to use it, it could signal a serious problem such as a urinary blockage and should be evaluated right away. The caring team at Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center is here to diagnose the cause and help your cat get back to feeling comfortable and healthy.

Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center must be sure your pet is healthy enough to receive vaccinations. Vaccinating a sick patient could make their condition worse or even be life-threatening! Depending upon your pet's overall health, your veterinarian may recommend splitting annual vaccinations into two visits to lessen the possibility of complications.

As with humans, preventative medicine and early detection are keys to health and longevity. Our pets age at a far faster rate than we do. Taking your dog or cat for an annual physical examination here at Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center is the equivalent of you seeing your doctor or dentist every 5-7 years. Only a full physical examination by a veterinarian can accurately assess the health of your pet and identify potential problems. If you have a senior pet (6+ years), we recommend exams twice a year for optimal care and health.

It's usually hard to tell by yourself at home, so please call us and describe what you're seeing. Signs of illness can include a significant decrease in appetite or activity level, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, limping, itching or losing hair, or eyes looking abnormal. Signs of emergencies can include trouble breathing, trauma, bleeding, stumbling, seizing, difficulty delivering puppies or kittens, and many eye problems. Call Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center immediately (603-642-9700) if you see any of these symptoms.

NH and MA state law (along with many other states) now requires that all cats and dogs be current on rabies vaccinations. If an animal is not known to be vaccinated against the disease and bites someone, NH and MA state law require a mandatory 15-day quarantine period. Additionally, if an animal is unvaccinated and bites someone, the state may require your animal to be euthanized and tested for rabies, and the owner can be held liable for any personal injury claims stemming from the bite. All good reasons to have your pet vaccinated against rabies! For your convenience, we offer both 1 & 3-year rabies vaccinations. For all other vaccines, Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center recommends vaccinating your pet once a year (especially if they go outside at all) to ensure they remain healthy should they become exposed to any disease preventable through current vaccinations. For more specific protocols, please consult with one of our veterinarians.

Call Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center hospital to receive a recorded message for the emergency hospitals we refer to. We typically refer to the Intown Veterinary Group.