Thunder rolls in, dog behind the toilet? Start with a snug wrap.
A pressure wrap for storms, a pheromone diffuser for time alone and two calming chews, matched to what sets your dog off. Plus when it's a vet problem.
For storms and fireworks, start with the ThunderShirt Classic: a wrap that ThunderShirt says applies constant, gentle pressure, with no drugs or supplements.
Best for: Thunder and fireworks, car rides and vet visits
Best for: Thunder and fireworks, car rides and vet visits
The catch: Some dogs overheat in it in warm weather, and it won't help every kind of anxiety.
Best for: Dogs whose vet OK'd a calming chew, before a car ride or a grooming visit
The catch: It isn't for severe anxiety.
Why this one: NASC Quality Seal Source: Maker
Certified: NASC SealThe National Animal Supplement Council lists this brand as a current Quality Seal holder, which means it passed NASC's facility audit and keeps its listing current.
For storms and fireworks, start with the ThunderShirt Classic: a wrap that ThunderShirt says applies constant, gentle pressure, with no drugs or supplements. For stress when your dog is home alone, try a plug-in pheromone diffuser (Adaptil). Panic, damage or anxiety that keeps getting worse is a vet visit first.
In this guide
Match the aid to the trigger: pressure for noise, scent for time alone, and a vet for fear that keeps growing. One product rarely covers all three.
Watch out
Don't scold a scared dog or drag it out of hiding. Let it settle where it feels safe, then pick a product by trigger.
It comes down to the match. Pressure wraps, pheromone diffusers and calming supplements work in different ways, so pick by the kind of anxiety, and expect results to vary by dog. Calming supplements are made for mild to moderate anxiety; severe cases need a vet or a behaviorist.
Can I use calming treats every day?
Only as often as the directions allow. Ask your vet first, especially if your dog takes other medicines.
How quickly do calming products work?
It depends on the type. A wrap goes on in a minute, so put it on before the noise starts. A diffuser works in the background, so plug it in ahead of a stressful week. For a chew, follow the label's timing.
Considered, didn't make it
One product for every trigger: one product rarely covers noise, time alone and fear that keeps growing.
Calming chews for severe anxiety: calming supplements are made for mild to moderate anxiety. Severe cases need a vet or a behaviorist.
Our verdict
Start with the ThunderShirt Classic for storms, fireworks and car rides: it uses pressure, not drugs or supplements.
For stress when your dog is home alone, add the ThunderEase (Adaptil) diffuser. Want a chew too? Ask your vet first. Fear that keeps getting worse is a vet visit.
Still deciding? Get this one.
ThunderShirt Classic Dog Anxiety Jacket
Best for: Thunder and fireworks, car rides and vet visits
