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Some dogs get anxious easily. This can be due to the loud noises they hear, when their owners leave them for a few hours or days at a time, or when they go traveling by car.
For dogs with anxiety issues, one option we can consider is investing in a Thundershirt for dogs.
Thundershirts act as calming shirts for canines. These are meant to be worn on our pooch’s torso so that they will feel like they are being hugged during stressful times.
When it comes to making a Thundershirt purchase, we can consider the following list as our guide in choosing the best one for our canine buddy.
Best Thundershirt for Dogs
- Best Overall: ThunderShirt Anxiety & Calming Aid for Dogs
- Runner-Up: ThunderShirt Polo Dog Anxiety Solution
- Best Value: American Kennel Club Calming Coat for Dogs
- Best Choice: ThunderShirt Sport Dog Anxiety Jacket
- Best 2-in-2 Thundershirt: Thundershirt ThunderCoat 2 in 1 Combo Pack
- Most Stylish Thundershirts: Surgi Snuggly Onesie
- Best Budget: Mellow Shirt Dog Anxiety Calming Wrap
Best Overall: ThunderShirt Anxiety & Calming Aid for Dogs
Key Features:
- Made from 100% polyester
- Fits dogs 65-110 lbs
- Money-back guarantee
- In color heather gray
- Comes in 7 sizes
ThunderShirt’s Anxiety & Calming Aid for Dogs tops the list thanks to its patented design.
This thundershirt can help calm our pooch even during most stressful situations. We no longer need to use medication just to calm our pooch.
The vest is made from 100% polyester that is breathable, durable, and effortless to wash.
It has over 80% positive reviews which show how much pet parents and vets alike love this thundershirt. We love how the vest also comes with a money-back guarantee.
Runner-Up: ThunderShirt Polo Dog Anxiety Solution
Key Features:
- Lightweight material
- With adjustable straps
- Money-back guarantee
- Fits dogs <7 lbs to 110 lbs+
- Comes in 3 colors and 7 sizes
The ThunderShirt Polo Dog Anxiety Solution is a trendy thundershirt made specifically for dogs that often get anxious due to different situations.
Whether our pooch suffers anxiety when hearing fireworks, when traveling, or when we need to leave him for a few hours, this vest can help ease his anxiety levels down. It is made from high-quality materials that are lightweight, soft, breathable, and durable.
We like the patented style that makes our pooch look extra edgy while wearing this vest. It comes in three colors, red, blue, and camo and in 7 different sizes.
No matter the size of our pooch, we can be sure that he will fit in this vest.
Best Value: American Kennel Club Calming Coat for Dogs
Key Features:
- Made from durable fabric
- With a fluffy fastener
- Fits dogs weighing 70-100 lbs
- Comes in 3 colors and 5 sizes
If our pooch often finds themselves anxious about different situations, then it only makes sense that we invest in a reliable vest like the American Kennel Club Calming Coat for Dogs.
It can help calm our pooch whenever we are out traveling, we go to places where loud noises can be heard, or even during holidays like New Year’s Eve. Our usually skittish fur baby will love the kind of comfort this vest has to offer.
The vest provides a tender but constant pressure that calms anxious dogs down.
This vest is made from a durable fabric that is machine-washable and easy to clean. It already comes with a fluffy fastener, making it easy for us to put on and take off the vest from our pooch.
Best Choice: ThunderShirt Sport Dog Anxiety Jacket
Key Features:
- Made from soft, breathable fabric
- No hard edges
- Over 80% success rate
- Money-back guarantee
- Comes in 3 colors and 7 sizes
The ThunderShirt Sport Dog Anxiety Jacket is a stylish jacket meant to make our pooch feel secure even without our presence. The manufacturers made sure this vest provides the kind of warmth and comfort any anxious dog might need.
It is made from soft but durable materials that are also breathable and very easy to maintain.
It has an 89% success rate according to a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior. This means prolonged use often leads to reduced anxiety for our pooch.
Since the only way to prove this is by investing in one, this is one vest we should consider buying for our skittish fur buddy.
Best 2-in-2 Thundershirt: Thundershirt ThunderCoat 2 in 1 Combo Pack
Key Features:
- Fully-lined
- Made from water-resistant fabric
- With a removable hood
- Comes in color Beige in size XX-Small
Another entry from the Thundershirt store is the Thundershirt ThunderCoat 2 in 1 Combo Pack. This is basically the vest we ought to buy for our anxious dog who loves the great outdoors.
We no longer need to worry about cutting his outdoor adventures short just because his anxiety attacks often kick in while we are out.
The vest is made from a water-resistant fabric that keeps him warm and dry.
The vest comes with a removable hood. Our pooch will surely look stylish no matter the occasion thanks to this 2-in-2 vest.
Most Stylish Thundershirts: Surgi Snuggly Onesie
Key Features:
- Made from breathable, stretch American-made fabric
- Unique design
- Clean technology
- Flat seams
- Comes in 6 colors and 17 sizes
If we are after an American-made Tthundershirt, then we can consider the Surgi Snuggly Onesie. This uniquely-designed onesie is only made with pet-safe materials that are breathable, stretchy, and comfortable.
The constant pressure provided by the onesie helps even the most anxious dogs calm down during anxiety-inducing situations.
We can rely on this onesie while our fur baby recuperates after surgery. It promotes better and faster healing, odor control, and comfort.
Since the onesie has no buttons, zippers or snaps, taking it off and putting it back on is seamless.
Best Budget: Mellow Shirt Dog Anxiety Calming Wrap
Key Features:
- Made from lightweight and breathable fabric
- With hook and loop fasteners
- Fits dogs up to 25 lbs
- Comes in 6 sizes and 6 colors
If we are after a stylish calming thundershirt for our pooch, then the Mellow Shirt Dog Anxiety Calming Wrap is one thing we need to consider. It comes in 6 sizes and 6 incredible cool colors that will make our pooch stand out even in a crowd of the same breeds.
We don’t have to worry about his anxiety kicking in while he is using their calming wrap.
The wrap fits snuggly in his torso, all the while applying gentile but consistent pressure. This helps calm him down even when exposed to his anxiety triggers.
TI is made from easy to wash materials and comes with hook and loop fasteners, making it effortless to put the wrap on and take it off.
What are Thundershirts?
We can call thundershirts as anxiety vests or wraps. These are designed to keep a dog’s anxiety at bay. The theory is that when our beloved pooch wears thundershirts, he will feel like we are giving them a nice hug, helping calm his anxiety.
Thundershirts provide a better sense of safety to our pooch thanks to the consistent pressure applied to his torso. Our pooch may have different anxiety disorders.
To help them better manage anxiety even without our presence, we can opt to invest in a Thundershirt for him.
What is Canine Anxiety?
Canine anxiety usually has external forces making dogs feel afraid and anxious. Some of the usual causes of anxiety in dogs are as follows.
- Car travel
- Domestic visitors
- Lightning
- Loud noises (firecrackers, thunderstorms, loud banging)
- Nail trimming
- Separation from owners
Dogs can often detect changes in their environment such as ozone content and barometric pressure changes. They are usually sensitive to loud sounds. This is one reason why many dogs go missing during New Year’s Eve and on July 4th.
How Effective Are Thundershirts?
Thundershirts are quite effective in providing dogs with the support they need when facing their anxiety triggers.
But remember that in order for this calming hug alternative to be effective, we must provide them with the right sized Thundershirt and put this on the right way. This way, pressure is evenly distributed in his torso.
The gentle pressure that Thundershirts have to offer helps the release of endorphins.
These are chemicals that boost a sense of well-being. The continuous feeling of being held and hugged helps lower their stress and anxiety levels.
It is crucial that we only allow our pooch to wear the Thundershirt on agreeable times. Making them wear this shirt consistently can make them accustomed to the feeling of the shirt, rendering it less effective when we need it the most.
It won’t hurt to consider investing in one and check if it works for our pooch’s condition or not.
Things to Consider When Buying a Thundershirt for Dogs
Washability
It would be easier for us to maintain the quality and integrity of the Thundershirts. If it is made from a high-quality fabric that is easy to clean. IT is a bonus if the thundershirt is machine-washable.
Thankfully, most thundershirts in the market are machine-washable.
Material
We don’t want the Thundershirt’s material to be simply comfortable and durable.
We also want it made from high-quality materials that won’t hurt or put our pooch at risk. Be sure that the thundershirt we are investing in is made from pet-safe materials.
Fit and Comfort
Of course, the size and fit matters for our anxious buddy’s comfort.
It is best to check his size by measuring his torso and using the guidelines set by the manufacturers. The better the fit, the more comfortable our pooch will be while wearing his Thundershirt.
Conclusion
We can include Thundershirts as an option in trying to help our pooch relieve their stress and anxiety.
Dogs may have different triggers that cause them to tremble in fear. With a Thundershirt, we can help ease their anxiety and help them thrive despite triggers looming in every corner.
It is not enough that we simply invest in any Thundershirt.
The best ones are those that can fit our pooch’s requirements. We can consider this list as our guide in buying the best Thundershirt for our fur baby.
