Thunder Shirts/jackets For Dogs ?

[anneasquith]

any recommendations, TIA

[boxtops]

I don't but they say they are very good and effective. (I don't have a dog)

[pastafreak]

I've thought about getting one for Sally. I dread firework season...she's a basket of nerves and really suffers.

[whirlyhurly]

I've never heard of them, are they different to the usual dog coats?

[anneasquith]

I'm sorry whirly, maybe some kind aber will post a link to the item.

[shoota]

http://www.petmeds.co.uk/Dogs/Dog-Training-Outdoor/Behavioural-Aids/PetLife-Thunder-Shirt-Dog/p/I0001604?=googleshopping&CAWELAID=120160500000004907&CAGPSPN=pla&gclid=CP7Xr5qJisECFabLtAodvyYA0Q

[whirlyhurly]

It's ok annea, I have just googled and found out about them, excellent idea.

[whirlyhurly]

Thanks shoota.

[anneasquith]

thank you ( darling ) LOL

[shoota]

Welcome sweetness, Mwah X

[anneasquith]

any recommendations ?

[woofgang]

Yup, not a thundershirt but melatonin, which has helped my dogs amazingly.

If you think a thundershirt might help, a cheaper option is a snug fitting t shirt.

[wolf63]

I am just back from the v-e-t and they had a desensitizing DVD for sale - but I have forgotten what it was called. Have you tried the DAP pheromone thingy? The cat version does work - just don't get it on your fingers if you bite your nails.

[woofgang]

wolf I have tried the Dap thing for dogs, its called adaptil, also Calmex tablets. valerian, zylkene and a herbal diffuser from pet remedy. The only thing which worked, and that minimally, was the zylkene. Melatonin though works brilliantly well, my dogs still worry but I don't get full on panic now. There don't seem to be any side effects, they aren't dopey or drugged, just less anxious.
The desensitisation CD can work for some dogs, the hooks are that dogs are very good at telling the difference between recorded sound and the real thing. My dog who has the worst thunder and firework fear will sleep with his head against the TV stand through the wildest storms and noisiest war films on TV. Indeed I use the sound on TV to drown out firework noise. He can, though hear a firework in the distance that I have missed and is factually better at forecasting incoming bad weather than the met office. Twice recently he has become upset when the met office had not forecast rain and even when they updated the forecast and it was raining at the time, they never forecast the rain.

[peachybabe]

About 3yrs ago, I wrote a review on Amazon.co.uk
I couldn't recommend it enough, and my views are still the same!

[shivvy]

Is it to help with firework anxiety anne?
I haven't used the t-shirt but I have used the wrap and it was remarkable.
http://www.mekuti.co.uk/bodywraps.htm
One of my dogs is terrified of fireworks even if they are miles off in the distance. If an open fire makes a slight crackle she is a quivering wreck for an hour.
The body wrap is pretty much just a crepe bandage and I was doubtful that it could ever work but after reading a lot of reviews I reckoned that I was prepared to risk £10.
IT WAS BRILLIANT!!
We had been outside in the garden when a firework display started a few miles away. Bella immediately ran to the house, shaking panting and clearly distressed. We took her inside and put the bandage on and took her outside again and it was like there were no fireworks at all. She was completely happy and indeed was looking to play!
She is terrified of the vets too and i used to take her with me when I was bringing my other dog to the vet to try and get her to relax when she realised that she wasn't being treated. It never worked but I put the bandage on her when Lola was having a plaster changed and Bella fell asleep under the treatment table!
I realise that it might not work for every dog but I can tell you for sure that it has worked brilliantly for my scaredy cat Bella!

[anneasquith]

thank you all for helpful replies,,,,, shivy, my dog is terrified of fireworks, gets extremely distressed, shakes, rapid heart rate, won't/can't go outside for toilet, and tries to hide into very small spaces, we have tried various drugs from the vet with no result. although the bodywrap looks a bit strange I am more than willing to try it, thanks for your reply.

[shivvy]

You are welcome anne. I am happy to sing its praises because of how well it has worked for Bella. I still can't believe it mind you!
But when you have a dog who is so traumatised it is certainly worth a go for a tenner isn't it?

[anneasquith]

yes it is, I so hope the wrap helps him ( Harvey )

[pastafreak]

I'm glad I looked at this thread again. That bodywrap looks very promising,and I think I will get one for my lurcher sally. She's a shaking,panting wreck during fireworks, or thunder. Even thumpy music will leave her spaced out looking.

[anneasquith]

pasta, I know sally is nervous as well, I hope the wrap helps our dogs.