The 6 Best Dog Anxiety Jackets
This wiki has been updated 25 times since it was first published in October of 2017. There is nothing worse than watching your furry four-legged companion suffer from stress and not being able to do anything to help. While medications can offer relief, they often have numerous unwanted side effects. A healthier and safer alternative comes in the form of these dog anxiety vests and jackets, which can sooth dogs without the risk of any adverse reactions. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Thunder Shirt Sport
2. Thunder Shirt Classic
3. Winbate Adjustable
Editor's Notes
August 05, 2020:
Dog anxiety jackets work by providing a canine with a comforting sense of pressure, much how a person or infant is calmed by a hug. Because of this, it is important that they be strong enough to produce the required amount of pressure, but at the same time they need to be somewhat breathable to prevent discomfort or overheating. With this in mind, we have found six models we think conform well enough to those standards to be effective.
Thunder Shirt is generally regarded as making the highest-quality options, which is why have included both the Thunder Shirt Sport and Thunder Shirt Classic from them. The difference between these two models is minor, but noteworthy. The sport is made from 100-percent polyester, while the classic is made from a blend of polyester, rayon, and spandex. This means the former will be more durable, while the latter will be more breathable. Both feature reflective detailing and have a patch for spraying a calming scent from the company or your own blend of essential oils.
Though it may be lesser known than the Thunder Shirts, the Winbate Adjustable offers features the former doesn't, specifically the metal D-ring for leash attachment and a training handle along the back. Despite these features, it actually comes for a very budget-friendly price.
If you want something that is cozy enough that you won't mind cuddling with your dogs while they are wearing it, you should consider the American Kennel Club Calming Coat because it is crafted from a soft, t-shirt like material. The downside to this is that, much like a t-shirt, it can stretch over time the more it is put under strain, which means it may eventually lose its efficacy.
March 15, 2019:
The Thunder Shirt line is prevalent in this list because it remains one of the most popular and high-quality choices for a lot of dog owners, primarily for the premium fabrics and for the way they fit snugly and apply pressure at just the right places, but some find the process of putting them on a bit cumbersome. We found plenty of other options at various price points that offer different levels of coverage and pressure. The Comfort Zone Calming is a thinner, more flexible material that covers the pet's entire torso. We included the Agon Cozy Fur at one of the tops spots because it offers aromatherapy and soothing musical sounds along with the swaddling action.
Special Honors
Agon CozyVest While it may seem a bit gimmicky, the Agon CozyVest is designed to tackle your dog's anxiety in three ways. It utilizes touch, scent, and hearing via its compression jacket, soothing lavender and chamomile aromatherapy pendant, and music player. agonusa.com
Comfort Zone Calming Vest Made of a durable, but soft and flexible fabric, the Comfort Zone Calming Vest should last a long time, while still being comfortable for your dog to wear. It requires a simple three-step process to put it on and is designed for full torso coverage. freedompetsupply.com
4. Mellow Shirt
5. American Kennel Club Calming Coat
6. ZenPet ZenDog
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.