I’ve done some searches on the SDMB for references to ThunderShirt, an anti-anxiety coat for dogs. Results were mixed. My sister has a young Golden Retriever that should be on Rorer 714’s. Anyone have first hand experience using a Thundershirt on their dog/cat/hampster/turtle/whatever. If so, does it work?
My vet recommended this to me today.
He said it works well on some pets, but not on others. I’m interested in what people have to say.
I JUST mentioned to my husband that it may help our GirlDog, who seems to believe everyone on the planet is an ax-murderer. Looking forward to seeing if it chills her out at all.
Didn’t make a bit of difference.
I’ve probably shown up in other threads saying this but my golds retriever was just too far gone for s Thundershirt. Nothing calmed her down. We tried everything over her 12 years. It was awful.
But I don’t see why you shouldn’t try it. They have a 45 day return policy.
I say give it a try. We’ve had anxious shelter dogs and foster dogs do very well with them. Some dogs don’t really like them. For some, it doesn’t make a difference. But for the ones that it did make a difference, it made a very positive change.
I agree, I’ve heard of mixed results. Does your anxious dog like getting under the blankets? When you’re walking by a fence or wall, does your dog prefer to walk closely beside it? Do they cuddle up close with people/other pets? If so, you may be more likely to have success.
We tried one for our Boxer, but didn’t see any noticeable improvement. He tolerates wearing it fine, but still gets very anxious. That said, it’s probably worth a try.
Not the TM ® Thundershirt, but we discovered a decade ago that our dog got very calm when we put a sweater on her. We sometimes put her sweater on when we have extended family meals where her excitement (yipping and begging) become bothersome. Note that this revolves around excitement, not anxiety.
My English Setter Sugar was terrified of storms. Trembling, panting, whining. I bought a Thundershirt for her and put it on her a couple times in nice weather so she could get used to it. It worked wonders for her. When I put it on her she would just lay down and go to sleep. she’s gotten so good now we don’t even have to use it and she sleeps thru storms!
It does stop our little furboy’s trembling during thunderstorms and fireworks, but he’s still spooked by them.
Definitely worth a try.
Huh. Im surprised by many of these responses. ThunderShirt always struck me as the biggest crock of shit, I may need to give it a try now.
My daughter tried it on her chihuahua, and it didn’t do much. She knows people for whom it has worked well, though.
My mini poodles LOVE to cuddle under the blankets, but the Thundershirts did nothing for them.
Thundershirt doesn’t do anything.
They have a new drug out for firework season you should ask your vet about if that is your concern. Some paste you rub on their gums. Sileo.
It worked very well on my nervous, skin-licking kitty. The velcro soon got clogged with fur, so now we just put doggie shirts on him. Keeps the licking at bay.
I tried a shirt on my last dog but it did nothing to calm her down. I blame some of her anxiety on how I initially reacted to her anxiety when she first heard thunder. I made the mistake of trying to console her with soothing words and petting because she ran to my side after the first thunderclap. Little did I realize that my actions probably reinforced her reaction and may have patterned her to act anxious when hearing thunder because she knew that when she came to me she would be rewarded. Using a thunder shirt at that stage could have been too late.
When my current dog first heard a loud crack of lightning, she too was startled and immediately looked at me but I ignored her, said nothing and never even made eye contact. Many dogs look to their owners on how to react to new situations and pick up cues on how we react. That approach, at least with this dog, worked and she handles thunderstorms without the whining or shaking my previous dogs experienced. Had I immediately jumped up and yelled, “THUNDER! WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!!”, then I’m planting anxiety seeds.
Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try the shirt however and might even start with a tight fitting tee shirt you have available to see if there’s any reaction at all.
Before I learned about the Thundershirt, I used to have to hold my thunderpuppy tightly in my arms during storms-- THAT’S the principle. Hard to sleep that way. The shirt (it’s really more of a vest) really helped him. But in recent years, now that he’s about 14, thunderstorms have stopped bothering him.
Did absolutely nothing for rescue dog Charlie. She (yes, Charlie is a she, thank you) apparently came from an abusive household before I adopted her, and while she is SOOOO much better in general now, thunderstorms still freak her out.
I tried one of the Thundershirts with her every time there was a thunderstorm last summer. Should have plenty of time for her to get used to it, and…nothing. No change.
If anyone wants a slightly used Thundershirt, let me know. Fits a 48 pound lab nicely.
We put one on Blackjack during thunderstorms, and starting already when fireworks are going off. It helps. It’s not a miracle for him, but it keeps him a little calmer.