Coats to Help Dogs in Fear of Thunder

We humans know that thunder is all bark and no bite, but as many dog owners have found out, the same can't be said for man's best friend. The fear of thunder affects a wide range of dogs, regardless of size or breed. It often leaves them trembling, hiding under beds or, at the very worst, making messes or destroying furniture. Until relatively recently there wasn't much that dog owners could do, but thanks to some ingenious inventors---and fellow dog owners---coats have been created to help dogs weather thunderstorms. Each coat works by applying a calming pressure, similar to how swaddling calms infants.

  1. Anxiety Wrap

    • The Anxiety Wrap was invented by Susan Sharpe, a certified professional dog trainer and member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. It's a sturdy yet stretchy vest that functions like a stocking that hugs a dog's torso tightly. It pulls over the dog's head and its snugness can be adjusted by a fastener. Straps designed to go around the dog's back legs are intended to add to the overall calming effect.

    Storm Defender

    • The Storm Defender cape was designed by Tom Critzer, a psychologist and electrical engineer, as a means to help his frightened dog cope with thunderstorms. Upon learning that dogs can be fearful of thunder because of the increase in electrical charges they sense as a thunderstorm approaches, Critzer set out to design a coat to counter those charges. His Storm Defender cape does that with a unique metal lining that helps prevent electric charges from building up in a dog's fur while also desensitizing a dog from any electricity in the air. And since there is thus less reason to fear the electric charges associated with thunderstorms, dogs are less fearful of thunder. And despite what the name may suggest, the Storm Defender cape is actually more of a coat that wraps around a dog's back and torso.

    Thundershirt

    • The Thundershirt, created by dog owner Phil Blizzard, uses a constant yet gentle pressure to calm dogs that are afraid of thunder. Contrary to what its name might suggest, you don't have to slide it over a dog's head like a typical shirt. Instead, it fastens around a dog's back and chest with straps and flaps. It's meant to offer a dog a comforting pressure that's similar to being held in its owners arms. As an added bonus, the fabric it's made of is hair resistant and washable.

    Snug dog coats

    • As mentioned before, the overall pressure to a dog's chest and back is what is key in easing its fear of thunder. As such, dog owners who don't want to purchase a special coat can also use any dog coats that they may already have as long as the coats are snug fitting and cover a good portion of the dog's chest and back.