You might enjoy the fireworks tonight, but kitty may be hiding under the bed. There’s a new solution for helping cats through stressful situations, like fireworks, storms or other loud events, vet visits, car trips, and grooming. It’s the Thundershirt – an invention that’s been used for years to reduce anxiety in dogs — now available for cats, and it’s proving to be quite a useful tool.
The Thundershirt is a little vest that applies gentle, constant pressure to your cat’s torso, calming them and reducing anxiety. According to the Thundershirt website, “anxiety experts believe that pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system and may release calming hormones like endorphins or oxytocins.” Using pressure to calm and relieve anxiety is common practice: parents swaddle newborn babies, pressure has been used to relieve anxiety in people with autism and with children having certain behavioral problems, and vets and trainers have used gentle pressure when working with animals for years.
Here is a testimonial from a cat guardian who has had success with the Thundershirt:
“Thundershirt has been successful in eliminating Jack’s vocalizing in the car and at home, and reduced hiding at home. His symptoms of fear during noisy events, such as vacuuming and thunder, have been completely eliminated. He will stay in the same room now and even watch me vacuum. During thunder, he calmly sits beside me and will even sleep stretched out on my bed. He has expressed a much calmer nature while wearing his Thundershirt. I am so glad to have it.”
Lynnette
Lithonia, Georgia
The company gave me a Thundershirt to test with my cats. I’m trying it with Andy, who is generally high-strung, and Ratso, who is having some anxiety around the new foster kittens (she’s not a fan). You need to get your cat used to wearing the vest, which can take a little training. At first, you may get the “Freeze & Flop” where the cat becomes immobilized and falls over, but the Thundershirt website has excellent guidelines for working with your cat to get the maximum benefit from the product. Once the cats have become accustomed to wearing the Thundershirt, they can move around easily and symptoms are reduced immediately. Check out the FAQ page on the Thundershirt website for lots of useful information. I’m still getting Andy and Ratso used to it and will keep you posted on their progress.
The Thundershirt is easy to put on and can be adjusted to apply varying amounts of pressure as needed. It is made of lightweight breathable material and can be machine washed. This is a simple, drug-free solution for reducing anxiety in cats, and it’s an affordable solution, too, at just $39.95.
ENTER TO WIN!
One lucky reader is going to win a Thundershirt to try with their cat! The winner will get to specify the size (S, M, L). To enter, please leave a comment on this post telling us why you need a Thundershirt. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing and announced on July 11, 2012. One entry per person. This giveaway is limited to addresses in the US and Canada.
July 5th, 2012 at 11:25 am
I could really use this on my scaredy cat!!
July 5th, 2012 at 11:35 am
Oh wow, I did not know such a product existed! Our elderly kitty is terrified of thunder storms and has always hidden behind the washing machine when it starts and is so afraid for hours after it is over. Would love to help him feel more secure during these times!
July 5th, 2012 at 11:36 am
Butch hates being in the car. He is a talky cat and this boy just will not shut up! Maybe this would help. Sophie the dog has a thundershirt and it has been amazing for her.
July 5th, 2012 at 11:39 am
I was recently wondering if thundershirts came in cat sizes. I would love to try one out for various, minor anxiety issues. I hate seeing my cats upset.
July 5th, 2012 at 11:45 am
My poor Salem could really benefit form this vest. He is scared of loud noises and we live on a busy road where big trucks drive through all the time, yet his favorite place is in the window. Last night, he was scared of the boom of the fireworks, which happen 2 blocks from my home. I also have an autistic son so I know the benefits of tight fitting garments for nervous people. I have seen the one for dogs in the stores and hoped there was a cat version. If I win this trust me it will get a lot of use.
July 5th, 2012 at 11:46 am
Thunderstorms, fireworks, loud noises send two of our kitties into hiding. What’s not to like about a Thundershirt (besides the name?) if it helps ease the stress of our furry friends?
July 5th, 2012 at 11:54 am
I have an older cat that is timid and fearful around the two newcomers (barely adults), and it would be interesting to see if it makes him more comfortable.
July 5th, 2012 at 11:57 am
My little Rita could use one of these. I have one for one of the dogs and it really takes the edge off. I had no idea they made them for cats too.
July 5th, 2012 at 11:58 am
I would like to donate if I win to Paradise Garden Animal Haven. They have a cat who is a stress licker but also so many cat come in to this no kill shelter and have a hard time adjusting. It would be a blessing for them. Karen
July 5th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
That would be great for my cat, Chloe. She is a little high-strung and has some issues with her brother and sisters.
Thanks,
July 5th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
We have a cat that could really benefit from a Thundershirt. He is sacred of loud noises (even ones he hears regularly) and we can’t even take him to the vet anymore because he gets so anxious he turns aggressive. I would love to try one of these on him!
July 5th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
My little A.b.b. truly needs a thunder shirt. I have tried wrapping her tightly with an elastic bandage, only to her freeze & fall over. I have tried building her a tight space hidey hole, she runs there during storms, but still trembles and shutters untill the storm passes. She is such a tiny cat, only 5 pounds, and it just hurts my heart that I can’t do more for her. So, thank you for the chance to win this product.
July 5th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
That would be great for my cat, Chloe. She is a little high-strung and has some issues with her brother and sisters.
Thanks,
Oh, how can this be a duplicate comment, when I just submitted it for the first time?
July 5th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Wow. One of our girls has just recently been acting out…peeing outside the litter box, crying incessantly, and generally restless. I would love to try this with her to see if it will help.
July 5th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
What a wonderful alternative to medication! My daughter’s cat, Bunny, could definitely use one of these!
July 5th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
My scaredy cat could benefit from this shirt. Love to try it out!
July 5th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
I need this for Sophie, the formerly-feral cat I adopted a couple years ago. Sophie was so afraid of humans that the rescue had to live trap her, and then kept her in a cage on the bed of the rescue volunteer just so she could get used to being around people.
Sophie and I hit it off instantly, as she somehow knew she could trust me (and let me pick her up shortly after meeting her – the rescue volunteer was shocked that I had even been able to touch her!)
Since then, Sophie has turned into the sweetest, most lovable cat who adores cuddling and belly rubs – for me. When anyone else is around, she cowers under the bed. Gradually, she’s developed trust in my father, mother and boyfriend – but it took a long time and she still cowers if they approach her too quickly. But once she gets comfortable in their presence, she’s a total lovebug.
I purchased a doggie thundershirt for her, and it helps her. She’s more brave when I have people over – but it’s too easy for her to get tangled up in the doggie Thundershirt (which is also stressful).
I’d love to win a kitty Thundershirt for her so I can help her get over her anxiety. Sophie’s an adorable, loving kitty, but someone was obviously really mean to her when she was young. I really want to help her relax around people and learn that she doesn’t have to be afraid anymore!
July 5th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
I wondered when someone would think of this. I have a young cat that could use this.
July 5th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Would love this for my cat.
July 5th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
I have two wonderful brothers that I adopted almost from birth. They were abandoned kittens and have always been attached at the hip. One of the kittens has always been traumatized by any loud noise or quick movements and so his brother is always by his side “guarding him” and keeping him safe. He will straddle him when I run the vacuum or dishwasher and laid on top of him all night when the fireworks were going off. Although he does such a great job of watching after his brother, it would be great if he didn’t have to watch over his brother ALL the time. I think the Thundershirt would be really helpful in reducing his anxiety and giving him a more of a normal life. Thank you for making everyone aware of these terrific products!
July 5th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
My 14 yr ‘Old Man’ has ‘been there, done that’ regarding just about everything. My 11 yr old female needs a Kitty Shrink on a good day. Fireworks and storms scare her to the point of being ridiculous. I’m not sure if even the Thundershirt could help but am willing to try it.
July 5th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
OMG. I’ve been eyeing that commercial forever and hoping that they’d make one for cats. I even thought about trying one meant for a small dog. My cat is the biggest scaredy cat ever and I think his anxiety would vastly improve with something like this. I hope. It’s sad to see him run and dive under the bed covers when the doorbell rings…
July 5th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
We could use 2 of them.
July 5th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
I have 3 cts and 2 of themare the biggest scardy cats when it comes to loud noises and strange people. If it really works I will definitely need to buy a 2nd one for my other scardy cat baby!
July 5th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
My cat Angus could really use a Thundershirt! He is quite high-strung and I have tried everything from Feliway to Zylkene… I would love to try out the Thundershirt.
July 5th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Rex hates riding the car, freaks him the heck out. I’d love to give this a try for him.
July 5th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
I would love this for my kitty – he is such a scaredy cat and now
has renal disease and has to go to the dreaded vet often. This would
be great to help him relax so his blood pressure doesn’t go sky high.
July 5th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Our little Lilly is currently on anti-anxiety meds for spraying and over cleaning. I’d love to give the medium size Thundershirt a try instead!
July 5th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
I know my cat would be grateful for the comfort it provides on her rides to the vet. Thanks!
July 5th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
I’d love to try to try this with several of my kitties – car rides and trips to the vet, strangers, loud noises, storms…
July 5th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
One of our geriatric cats experiences super anxiety when we try to put her in her carrier and also when there is a thunderstorm. She is a nightmare at the vet… so much so that I cried last time when the vet could not examine her. It’s making ME anxious just to remember it! I will look into buying this if I don’t win. Would love one for humans!
July 5th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
My 11 year old cat Gypsy would definantly get some use out of this. She suffers from anxiety and ends up licking herself a lot, which results in bald spots.
July 5th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
i have a “magician” cat that would appreciate a thunder shirt. first sign of anyone approaching our home and she disappears into thin air.
July 5th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Awesome! Thunder-kitteh Hooooo!
July 5th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
My sweet cat Chester (abandoned as a kitten, poor guy!) would probably benefit greatly from this shirt. Here are Chester’s reasons why he would like one: 1) Strangers in the house cause him to be under the bed for a minimum of 3 days after they leave, 2) Whenever he has to go to the vet, his friend Lyric HAS to come with, otherwise he howls incessantly and pitifully. Even when Lyric is with him, the car ride is still riddled with stress, 3)If/when a loud noise occurs in the neighborhood or from us just accidentally dropping stuff, the first one to bolt and hide is Chester. 4) He has even had moments of fear when his own shadow surprises him.
We have worked very hard with our baby boy to make him less fearful and it’s worked a little bit. But I imagine a Thundershirt would help him out immensely while we work through his fears. The 4th was a truly stressful night for him and he’s still very upset about all the loud noises.
July 5th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
This would even help on car rides to reduce howling and vocalizing!
July 5th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
vacuum = vamoose with Clancy. this sounds like it will help.
July 5th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
This would be a wonderful gift to try with our Duncan!!! Thank you!
July 5th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
I just heard of these recently! We have three cats and the youngest (just turned 2) has separation anxiety whenever I leave the house, which he often expresses by attacking his older sister. I would love, love, love to try a Thundershirt to resolve the problem!
July 5th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
This would be perfect for my Sphynx who gets really anxious on car rides.
July 5th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Wrigley hides from the vacuum!
July 5th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
My Keegan Shane is goin on a staycation with me and needs this for sure!
July 5th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Both of my cats are scared of many types of noises, but Amy is more sensitive. For instance, she will hide for hours after the doorbell rings and often will have to be coaxed out of her hiding place. Sounds like the Thundershirt could really help!
July 5th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
My Josie could use this for car rides. She loves going out but hates the car.
July 5th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
My cats don’t mind the fireworks, but they go nuts in the car. I wonder if a Thundershirt would help?
July 5th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
I would love to see my high-strung girl do a freeze and flop!!
July 5th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
I would love to try this for my kitty.
July 5th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
I have a big boy that is terrified of storms. Maybe this would help
July 5th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
I would love to try the Thundershirt on two of my cats. Gruyere is very skittish of any loud noises and has had a panic attack while traveling to the vet office. Truffles gets anxious and startled very easily. If the Thundershirt can make Gryuere and Truffles feel more comfortable that would make my day!
July 5th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
My skitterish kitty Zeus would really benefit from one of these!