For example, loud noises (thunder and fireworks) can send a pup into a state of panic, and a car ride or a visit to the vet can make others tremble with fear.
What exactly is calming apparel for dogs? How does it work?
In this guide, you’ll find the answers to these questions; but first, we’d like to share with you our top picks for the best dog calming apparel.
Best Dog Calming Apparel
| Image | Dog Calming Apparel | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. ThunderShirt Anxiety & Calming Aid for Dogs | 99% |
 | 2. Comfort Zone Calming Dog Vest | 96% |
 | 3. Shed Defender Shedding Dog Bodysuit | 92% |
 | 4. ThunderCap Calming Cap | 88% |
 | 5. Anxiety Wrap Pressure Wrap for Dogs | 84% |
1. ThunderShirt Anxiety and Calming Aid for Dogs
The ThunderShirt company is committed to offering pet parents effective solutions to help calm their anxious dogs. Their innovative calming products include treats, leashes, all-natural oils that can be mixed with water in a dog bowl, and even essential oil diffusers. Of all the products they make, though, the ThunderShirt Anxiety and Calming Aid for Dogs is perhaps the most popular.
The ThunderShirt is a vest that fits similarly to a harness. The patented design hugs your pet with gentle pressure that is constantly applied to his body (think weighted blankets for humans). It’s easy to put on and take off, thanks to the Velcro straps, and it’s made out of durable materials. It’s also available in several sizes, including xx-small, x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, and xx-large.
With so many size options, there’s a ThunderShirt for every dog. According to reviews, the ThunderShirt is highly effective; in fact, 80 percent of pet parents who have used this product say that they saw a significant improvement in the behavior of their anxious pets.
What We Like About It
- Easy to put on and take off (similar to a dog harness)
- Patented design provides constant, gentle pressure that creates a calming effect
- Available in a wide range of sizes
- More than 80 percent effective
- Recommended by vets and trainers
Reasons to Complain
- A few customers said that they didn’t see any results
Final Verdict: If you’re looking for an easy to use calming aid for your dog, the ThunderShirt Anxiety and Calming Aid for Dogs is a great option to try. It creates a hug-like sensation that is proven to provide effective relief for anxiety in more than 80 percent of the dogs who have used it.
2. Comfort Zone Calming Dog Vest
Next up on our list of the best calming apparel for dogs is the Comfort Zone Calming Do Vest. This product is similar to the ThunderShirt in that it’s worn like a harness and it applies gentle, constant pressure, which has been proven to offer a calming effect in anxious canines.
The Comfort Zone Calming Dog Vest is designed with Complete Comfort Compression technology, which swaddles your pet in gentle, calming pressure, which is proven to be incredibly soothing.
Made of highly durable, lightweight, and breathable performance fabric, it won’t restrict your furry friend’s movement and can be worn on a regular basis.
It even features reflective piping that will make your pup visible at night. Easy to put on, machine washable, and highly effective, the Comfort Zone Calming Dog Vest is highly recommended by pet parents.
What We Like About It
- Features Complete Comfort Compression technology that is proven to create a calming effect
- Made of durable, lightweight, breathable material
- Reflective piping makes dogs visible in the dark
- Available in five sizes: x-small, small, medium, large, and x-large
- Machine washable
Reasons to Complain
- Some pet parents said that it didn’t offer much relief
Final Verdict: Overall, we were very impressed with the Comfort Zone Calming Dog Vest. It applies gentle, constant pressure that creates a swaddling effect that soothes anxious dogs. It’s lightweight, durable, and easy to put on and take off.
3. Shed Defender Shedding Dog Bodysuit
Though the purpose of the Shed Defender Shedding Dog Bodysuit is to reduce shedding, it can also serve as calming apparel for dos. That’s because, like the previously mentioned products, it applies gentle pressure to your canine, which has been found to soothe anxiety and settle nervous dogs.
This product is made of recycled polyester spandex, so it’s highly durable, lightweight, breathable, and environmentally friendly, too! Just slip it over your pet’s head, slide his legs through the leg holes, and almost every part of his body will be covered in soothing pressure, thanks to the snug fit. And even though it has a snug fit, it’s very lightweight and it doesn’t restricted movement.
If your pooch ever sustains an injury, it can be used as a replacement for those bulky, awkward, and uncomfortable cones, as it will cover his wounds and prevent him from liking or chewing. And of course, it helps to trap loose hair and even traps dander. Available in four colors (black, purple, red, and blue), and eight sizes (ranging from mini to xx-large), there’s an option for dogs of all sizes.
What We Like About It
- Covers almost every inch of your pup in gentle, calming pressure
- Made of recycled polyester spandex
- Lightweight, flexible, and breathable
- Can be used as a substitute for e-collars
- Easy to put on and take off
- Available in several colors and sizes
- Machine washable
Reasons to Complain
- A few customers said that their dogs didn’t like it
Final Verdict: The Shed Defender Shedding Dog Bodysuit cradles your pup with gentle pressure from his neck to his hindquarters, and even down to his ankles. It’s lightweight, breathable, flexible, and traps in loose hair and dander, too.
4. ThunderCap Calming Cap
The ThunderCap Calming Cap is probably the most unique product on our list. As the name suggests, this product is a cap that wraps around your pup’s head and covers his eyes. The objective is to minimize any visual stimuli that may make him agitated; for example, if your furry friend tends to get anxious or aggressive when he takes walks or goes on car rides, you can slip this cap on to reduce his view of the objects that make him feel uneasy, stressed, and anxious.
While the ThunderCap Calming Cap is designed to shield a dog’s vision, it doesn’t completely block his sight; he’ll still be able to see through the material so he can see his surroundings, but it makes those things that he finds aggravating less obvious. The cap is lightweight and breathable, too, so your pup won’t mind wearing it.
It’s also very easy to put on and take off and can be used with dogs of all sizes, thanks to the dual adjustable straps, which allow for a custom fit. Based on the reviews that we read, most pet parents seem to be pleased with the product. They say that they notice a definite improvement in their pets behavior while they’re wearing this cap.
What We Like About It
- Reduces visual stimuli that can lead to aggravation and anxiety
- Constructed of lightweight, breathable material
- Features two adjustable straps for a custom fit and easy use
- Can be used with dogs of all sizes
- Doesn’t completely block out vision
- Most customers said that it offered calming relief for their anxious pets
Reasons to Complain
- A few users said that they had difficulty getting the right size
- Others said that it didn’t seem to work
Final Verdict: The ThunderCap Calming Cap is designed to block out visual stimuli that may cause aggravation and trigger anxiety, thereby creating a calming effect. It’s adjustable, easy to use, and most pet parents say that it works.
5. Anxiety Wrap Pressure Wrap for Dogs
The last option on our list of the best calming apparel for dogs is the Anxiety Wrap Pressure Wrap for Dogs. This product is similar to the ThunderShirt and the Comfort Zone Calming Dog Vest, but it’s half the price, so if you’re looking for an affordable calming aid, this might be the right choice for you and your pooch.
The Anxiety Wrap relies on acupressure to soothe anxiety. Wrap it around your pup and it will deliver constant, gentle, and well-maintained pressure that will help to ease his anxiety and make him feel more relaxed. This product does more than just relieve anxiety; it can also be used to alleviate fear, shyness, insecurity, and even hyperactivity – feelings that are believed to be the underlying cause of undesirable behavior in dogs (chewing, biting, barking, digging, and shaking, for example).
It’s made out of lightweight, breathable material, so it won’t limit your furry friend’s mobility and it won’t add unnecessary strain. The vest is easy to put on and take off, and it’s available in five sizes, ranging from toy to x-large. Recommended by vets, trainers, and experts in animal behavior, as well as pet parents, this product delivers effective results.
What We Like About It
- Delivers consistent, gentle pressure that promotes calmness in canines
- Made of lightweight, breathable, and durable materials
- Available in sizes that will fit all dogs
- Easy to use
- Recommended by vets, trainers, animal experts, and pet parents
- Affordable price
Reasons to Complain
- A few users said that the lower price reflected in the quality of the product
Final Verdict: The Anxiety Wrap Pressure Wrap for Dogs is an affordable calming vest that delivers consistent, gentle pressure that can help to ease anxiety and stress. It delivers pressure to key acupuncture points that are known to promote a calming sensation when activated.
Dog Calming Apparel Buyer’s Guide
As a pet parent, your job is to make sure that your four-legged family member receives the very best of care. That’s why you go out of your way to offer him the highest quality products; dog bed, dog crate, and dog food – and the myriad of other supplies that he has, for example. It stands to reason that, if your pooch suffers from stress and anxiety, you’re going to want to choose the best calming aid possible. There are several different canine calming aids and anti-anxiety products on the market, including apparel.
Whatever the cause, there is nothing worse than seeing your dog suffer from anxiety. Fortunately, there are ways that you can calm your canine companion. CBD oil and medications can be two effective options; but, if you’re not keen on giving your pup something that has to be ingested, there are other options available. Specially designed collars and blankets could offer anxiety relief; or, you could try dog calming apparel. According to veterinarians and pet parents, specially designed apparel can be highly effective dog calming aids.
Benefits of Dog Calming Apparel
Why should you consider using calming apparel for dogs? These products are designed to create a calming sensation that helps to relief the symptoms that are associated with stress and anxiety. The manner in which these products work depends on the specific item that is being used; for example, vests deliver gentle, even, and constant pressure to pressure points that are known to reduce stress, while caps minimize the field of vision, which helps to reduce visual stimuli that pets may find upsetting.
Calming apparel for dogs is not only effective, it also means that your pooch doesn’t have to ingest anything. Many pet parents aren’t comfortable with their pups ingesting anything other than food, and a lot of pups are finicky and just won’t accept oral calming products. Whatever the case may be, calming apparel can offer the soothing relief that your canine companion needs to make him feel more relaxed and less anxious.
Factors to Consider
There are a few factors that you’re going to want to take into consideration when selecting calming apparel for your dog. These factors include:
- The style of the product; for example, a vest, a bodysuit, a cap, a color. There are many different types of apparel that are specifically designed to create a calming effect. Consider your pet’s disposition and what it is that causes his anxiety.
- The size of the product. Whether you’re using a cap, a vest, or a bodysuit, getting the right fit is essential. Obviously, if it’s too large or too small, it won’t offer the results you’re looking for; plus, it won’t be comfortable.
- The reviews. Customer reviews are a great way to find out more about a product and to learn about the experiences that other pet parents have had with the product.
Dog Calming Apparel Review Conclusion
If your pup suffers from stress, anxiety, or aggression, calming apparel for dogs might be able to offer him the relief that he needs. All of the items that are featured on this list are highly recommended by vets, trainers, and pet parents, so whichever one you choose, you can have confidence knowing that you will be using a high quality, effective product.
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