Thunder shirt?

[Anonymous]

Our dog becomes quite anxious during thunderstorms and fireworks. We give her melatonin, but she still knocks over furniture and just broke a lamp that fell off a side table.

We'd like to get a thunder shirt to see if it would help. Where do we get one? Do they have them at pet stores, or should I look online? She is a big dog, a black lab, 90 lbs with no fat.

[Anonymous]

You'd need the extra large. They are expensive. Our dog has problems with storms and fireworks, but the thundershirt helps a bit, no magic though. If it's not too pricey, its worth a shot.

[Anonymous]

I know a Shih Tzu who does VERY well with the Thundershirt, doesn't shake/ whine. Previously she would whine/ scream/ claw things/ hide during storms... this is much better.

FYI, I do not own/ work for Thundershirt. I saw the commercial and recommended it to my friend for her dog, which is from where this anecdote comes. No idea if usefulness decreases with dog size.

[Anonymous]

Works for some dogs.

You could re-sell for part of the price if it doesn't work.

Would you try a small child's shirt first? It could be worth a trial and save money.

-vet

[Anonymous]

OP here. We tried putting a shirt on her, to see if it might help tonight. The shirt does seem to have calmed her a bit, along with the melatonin.

We'll order a thundershirt in XL and see if it helps. At $25 with free shipping, they're not too expensive.

[Anonymous]

It helped my anxious big dog a little. Not for thunder, but for separation anxiety. It can't hurt.

[Anonymous]

It did nothing for my dog. When he gets anxious he has accidents, so it was not a good product for him. We had to wash it and him once he wet it.

[Anonymous]

It works for my brother's Golden retriever, doesn't do anything for my friend's labs. You can find it on Amazon. It's not super-expensive so its worth a try.

[Anonymous]

Try Zylkene instead of melatonin - it is similar to melatonin in that it's a food supplement and will either work or not work as needed unlike anti anxiety medications (it is a milk extract). I don't think you need a prescription for it. You can also try Rescue Remedy. Personally I would use these two over melatonin.

[Anonymous]

It worked for my dog. Especially, when he was a puppy.

[Anonymous]

Works for my dog too. We put it on her when there is thunder or on 4th of July. Doesn't fully address it but def keeps her calmer.

[Anonymous]

Helped my anxious golden, who always violently shudders and drools with any trace of thunder. He still shivers and pants but it's world's better than without the coat. I had to use a YouTube video to see how to put it on though (lol), it didn't seem intuitive to me.