The information in this article was reviewed and approved by registered veterinary nurse, Beth Walker

With fireworks night coming up, many pet owners start to worry about how their dog will cope. Fear of fireworks is common in many pets and it can be difficult to watch. If your dog struggles with fireworks anxiety, a thundershirt could be a great way to help ease their stress. These close-fitting vests are ideal for use during thunderstorms, travelling and separation anxiety as well as fireworks, making them a great year-round solution to stress. But how do thundershirts for dogs work? In this blog we’ll explore how they can help to calm dogs, how to put them on, and where you can get one for your pet.

How do Thundershirts Work?

Just like human babies, dogs can benefit from feeling swaddled in a close environment. Thundershirts for dogs are essentially a way of keeping a constant gentle pressure on your pup’s body. It’s a similar principle to weighted blankets, which can be used to help anxiety in humans.

Worn a bit like a harness, they use a lightweight fabric and velcro straps to allow you to secure them tightly to your dog’s body – like a constant hug!

Are Thundershirts Really Effective?

All dogs are unique and their calming solutions should be too. That’s why we stock a full range of calming products to help you find the perfect fit. What works for one dog may not for another, and vice versa.

While Thundershirts may not work for all dogs, for some they can be very effective. Thundershirt claims that 80% of dogs will feel the benefits of their product.

There is research to suggest that Thundershirts can reduce an elevated heart rate in anxious dogs. This study conducted in 2014 looked at three groups of dogs, all with known anxiety disorders. When left alone, the dogs who wore the Thundershirt correctly showed less of an increase in heart rate than those who wore one loosely or not at all. They also displayed less tongue-flicking and yawning than the other groups, which are behaviours commonly displayed by anxious dogs. However there was no difference in panting or pacing between the groups.

How to Put a Thundershirt on a Dog

Thundershirts are easy to put on your dog, using just simple straps and velcro.

Firstly, lay the thundershirt over your dog’s back and loosely fasten the neck straps. Wrap the long flap under the torso and secure it with the velcro. Then secure the top flap down for a snug fit.

Here’s a handy video to show you how to put a Thundershirt on a dog.

Where can I get a Thundershirt for dogs?

You can get your pooch’s Thundershirt for a competitive price from Animed Direct. It’s available in all sizes from extra small through to large.

Thundershirt for Cats

The Thundershirt is also available for cats! If your feline friend gets anxious during fireworks, thunderstorms or anything else, a Thundershirt could be a good solution to try.

It’s worth noting that many cats have never experienced any clothing being put on them. Therefore, many cats might ‘flop over’ when they first try on their Thundershirt – this is completely normal! Don’t worry, as they are not suffering any discomfort. Just give them some time to realise that they can still freely move, and they will be just fine.

While it may not work for every pet, many owners have found the Thundershirt to be very effective for their anxious dog or cat. If you’re concerned about this upcoming Bonfire Night, a Thundershirt could be a great thing to try. You can also take a look at our range of calming products to support your pet even further and reduce stress. These include diffusers such as the Adaptil Calm Home Diffuser, and supplements such as the YuMOVE Calming Care range for dogs and cats.