
Product Reviews
Review: Thundershirt
Copy: Serena Faber Nelson
Photography: Serena Faber Nelson
Styling: Serena Faber-Nelson

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over.
Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.
Earlier this month, Prince Harry came to visit. He didn’t actually stop by our house, rather he rocked up to Sydney for a whirlwind trip as part of a Naval Celebration.
So what does Sydney do when we’re welcoming royalty? We put on a fireworks display that’s what. Which, while great news for Prince Harry, up until a few months ago it wouldn’t have been so fun for our household.
You see, just like many dogs, Soda does not enjoy fireworks. She thinks they’re flashy and over the top. She also gets very, very scared.
But this time? Soda was as cool as a Corgi. Her secret? A little something called a Thundershirt.
THE THUNDERSHIRT: HOW IT WORKS
Thundershirt is all about pressure therapy.
The design of the coat applies constant, gentle pressure to a dog’s torso which has a calming effect. Just like swaddling a baby, the soft pressure provides a soothing effect despite a dog’s external surroundings.
So before trialling the actual Thundershirt, I trialled the theory.
In occasions where Soda started to exhibit anxious behaviour – for her it was heavy panting and shaking – I used my palms to apply gentle but firm pressure to each side of her torso. While this didn’t stop her symptoms entirely, she certainly seemed more relieved.
With that I knew the theory of pressure therapy worked, however there was no way I could keep pressure applied constantly to Soda every time she needed it. It was time for the Thundershirt!
FITTING YOUR DOG
The great thing about the Thundershirt is that it comes with short, but detailed, instructions that are very easy to follow.
The first step involves introducing the Thundershirt to your dog through associating it with treats and non-anxious situations.
Fitting the Thundershirt to your dog is easy. You simply place it on your dog’s back, use the velcro fastners to wrap around the middle, and then secure the chest straps around the front.
The fit is snug – in fact when Soda had her Thundershirt on she looked much slimmer without all that fluffed up fur!
The soft material makes for a comfy fit – it’s not restrictive in any way, most dogs wouldn’t even notice it was on.
Case in point – Soda hates wearing any kind of clothes, but was completely comfortable in her Thundershirt.
PERFECT FOR THUNDER, FIREWORKS & GENERAL ANXIETY
The Thundershirt is recommended for a number of issues including:
- Fear of Thunder & Storms
- Barking Problems
- Separation Anxiety
- Travel Anxiety
- Fearfulness
- Noise Anxiety
- Fear of Public Speaking*
Soda and I trialled her Thundershirt over a few months. Now, living in Sydney – the fireworks capital of Australia – we got a number of opportunities to test this baby out. Add in a couple of thunderstorms and one car ride to the vet, and this Thundershirt really got a thorough test period in our household.
The results? Brilliant.
Where once Soda was jumping on furniture at any hint of a storm, she now lay quietly at our feet.
Where she would skittershly pace the house during a fireworks show, she now barely raised an eyebrow. (Sorry Prince Harry.)
The car trip to the vet? Once filled with shaking and uncontrollable panting, she simply looked out the window. (To be completely honest, she didn’t seem overjoyed at the prospect of going to the vet – but it was the first time in years this car trip didn’t involve stress.)
* Not so much.
SAFE, EFFECTIVE & DRUG FREE
Possibly the biggest selling point of the Thundershirt is that it’s 100% drug free.
While Soda has never loved the vet, the reactions to thunderstorms and fireworks were only issues that surfaced in her senior years. We had tried everything in the training book prior to the Thundershirt – treats, games, psychology, dryer sheets (look it up kids), diversion therapy…but nothing even came a close second in terms of results.
While we never had to go down the road of considering drugs, the fact that this shirt offers a safe, natural and very simple option to dog anxiety, is a huge plus. While I’m not saying it’s a fix for every situation, it’s definitely an option that should be explored early on in the game.
Nowadays, if I know a storm is coming, a fireworks show is planned or someone needs a check up, out comes the Thundershirt. It truly is a relief knowing it will keep Soda safe, calm and settled for years to come.
WHAT WE LOVED:
- Proven to reduce anxiety in dogs.
- Easy to fit and use – can be used straight out of the box.
- Drug free.
- Made of soft, durable material. Comfortable fit with no restrictions.
- Machine washable.
- Sizing for all dogs available – ranges from XXS (<7lbs) to XXL (>100lbs)
- Comes in a number of colours with optional custom embroidery.
- Affordable and comes with a money back guarantee.
- ThunderShirt Company currently donates ThunderShirts to adoption organisations to help anxiety in shelter dogs.
BEST FOR:
- Dogs of all ages and sizes that show signs of anxiety.
- Barking, excitable, overstimulated dogs.
- Fearful and anxious dogs.
- Dogs affected by Thunderstorms, Fireworks and noises.
- Dogs suffering from separation anxiety.
- Owners that want their dog to feel safe and secure.
CLICK TO BUY
To purchase and see the full range visit Thundershirt.
For testimonials and more information visit Thunderworks.
Copy: Serena Faber Nelson
Photography: Serena Faber Nelson
Styling: Serena Faber-Nelson
We bought one for our American Dingo-Chihuahua mix this summer and I could hardly believe how well it worked. Usually he is a total mess when the fireworks start on a holiday weekend, and this time he spent the whole time curled up on my lap. I recommend it to everyone I hear has a dog with anxiety.
It’s amazing isn’t it? I have to say I was really blown away by the results we had with Soda. I don’t pretend to understand exactly why it works, but it does – and that’s enough for me!
Yay for Soda! I have always wondered if these worked, so happy they do! This would be perfect for my parent’s dachshund, Lucy. She is scared of (and barks at) everything! This would do wonders for her scardey cat reputation 😉
Love the photos! Soda is such a babe.
I know – it’s such a relief. We used it again the other night with a Thunderstorm.
Plus – the little ones are SO cute – especially the colours they come in!
Wow! This sounds fantastic – I think I’ll have to get one for Mia and give it a go. She is terrified of fireworks (hides wherever she can – NYE is not a party for her :))and she can also be spooked by high winds and thunder. I wonder if it would also be good for her when she undertakes air travel – she has never shown any signs of major stress but this may help her be even more relaxed on those flights (and may also help the anxiety of the humans worrying about her on the same plane!!).
As usual Soda is a total model pro – gorgeous girl 🙂
Sounds like it would be PERFECT for Mia Karyn!
I actually made an effort to share this post with enough lead up time for New Years – with all the fireworks! Then you have Australia Day, and on its goes. This way you have time to get them used to it and they’ll be pros by the time NYE rolls around 🙂
Excellent reviews and I totally agree. My beagle Mischa hears a storm coming before I do and instantly becomes a nervous wreck. Same with fireworks. With the thunder shirt on (same cute grey one as Soda!) she now sleeps though most of it. Absolute blessing. Also refer to Temple Grandin’s work on the same topic, and with agricultiral animals; she is amazing!