A thunder shirt is a garment made to calm a dog during a thunderstorm or other loud noises. Many people have questions about how tight the shirt should be. In this post, we will explain how tight should a thundershirt be and why it is important to get it just right.
You want the Thundershirt to be snug so that the shirt can apply pressure evenly across your dog’s torso. Too loose, and the shirt may not be effective at all. Too tight, and your dog could feel uncomfortable or even panicked. You’ll want to make sure there’s enough room for your dog to move around comfortably, but not so much that the shirt becomes lose fitting.
Contents
Steps to Follow on How Tight Should a Thundershirt Be?
Step 1: First, It Is Important to Get Your Dog Used to The Thundershirt:
First, it is important to get your dog used to the Thundershirt. Please put it on them without tightening the Velcro straps. Let your dog wear it around for a little while, then take it off. If your dog seems comfortable with the Thundershirt, you can go ahead and tighten the straps a bit. But be sure not to make it too tight – you should be able to fit two fingers comfortably between the strap and your dog’s body.
Step 2: Place the Thundershirt Gently:
Once your dog is comfortable wearing the Thundershirt, you can put it on them while they are lying down or standing up. Be sure to place it gently over their body. If you have a large dog, you might want to consider putting them in a sit or lay position before slipping the shirt over its body.
Step 3: Snug but Not Too Tight:
You want to tighten the Thundershirt so that it is snug but not too tight. Use your two fingers to see how loose or tight you should go and how much space there is between the straps and your dog’s body. Remember how we said not to make it too tight in the beginning? Well, here is how you should do just that.
Step 4: The Chest Strap:
You will notice a very long strap that goes around the chest and belly of your dog. This needs to be adjusted to feel snug against your dog’s body but not too loose either. You should be able to fit two fingers in between your dog’s body and this strap. If you can’t, the chest strap might be too tight. On the flip side, if there is more than two fingers’ space between your dog’s chest and this strap, it is too loose.
Step 5: Take the Top Flap and Wrap It Down:
When you go to put on your Thundershirt, the open end of the shirt should be at the top. Take this top flap, wrap it across your dog’s chest, and secure it with a Velcro strap. Your dog will feel more secure if there is something around its torso to hold all of these straps in place.
Once you have all of these straps tightened, you can cut off the excess material. Just make sure not to make it too tight where your dog has trouble breathing or moving around comfortably.
Note:
- Keep in mind how your dog usually acts when wearing a Thundershirt and how they act when they are not. If your dog seems just fine without the Thundershirt on, they are most likely used to how it feels when wearing one. However, if you are using a Thundershirt for anxiety or stress relief, you might want to consider how your dog acts when relaxed at home versus how they act when stressed out at the dog park.
- It is important to know how your dog usually behaves at home versus how they behave in social situations like at the dog park or when meeting new people. If this is their first time using the Thundershirt, it might be best to put it on them without tightening any straps if you are unsure how they will act while wearing it.
- Understanding how your dog acts when they are stressed out is very important when using Thundershirts for anxiety or stress relief. Different dogs react to these situations differently, and how they typically act might not always be how they work during stressful times.
If this is their first time wearing a Thundershirt, make sure not to make it too tight, and how your dog acts at home while wearing the shirt might be a better indicator of how they will act while wearing a Thundershirt.
- If you notice that your dog’s breathing is labored or seems uncomfortable when wearing a Thundershirt, it might be best to take it off.
- Try to take your dog’s current behavior in stressful situations into account when using a Thundershirt. For example, if how they act at home while wearing the shirt is how they act in stressful situations, this might be a good indicator of how they will act when wearing it.
Step 6: Wrap the Chest Straps Around the Front of The Dog:
Take the chest straps and wrap them around the front of your dog. Then, attach them together with another Velcro strap that should be underneath your dog’s body.
If you are using a Thundershirt for anxiety purposes, this might not be how your dog typically acts when they are calm at home. If how they act while relaxed is how they act when stressed, this is a good indicator of how they will act while wearing it.
If your dog acts at home when relaxed is how they react when stressed out, then the strapping configuration in Step 6 might be how your dog reacts when wearing a Thundershirt for anxiety relief.
If your dog acts when relaxed is how they act when stressed out, then the strapping configuration in Step 6 might be how they will react while wearing a Thundershirt for anxiety relief.
Keep reading for more information about how tight should a thundershirt be.
Does Anyone Have Experience with Buying or Using This Type of Product?
I have experience with how tight should a thundershirt be.
My dog is terrified of thunderstorms, so when the time finally came, I looked for advice everywhere on how to calm her. I didn’t want to risk trying it myself and hurting her in any way. I ended up at my vet’s office, where they told me how tight a thunder shirt should be.
The next chance the storm came around–and thankfully, it wasn’t until about three weeks later–I wrapped her up in the garment and applied only enough pressure to keep hold of her but not choke or hurt her. It was amazing!
She laid calmly down in front of me instead of pacing back-and-forth restlessly like she normally does before storms during those few weeks. I’ve been using how tight a thunder shirt should be every time she has to endure those terrifying situations, and it helps more than I can describe!
Frequently Asked Question
What Is a Thundershirt and How Tight Should It Be?
A Thundershirt is a shirt designed to be tight-fitting and help comfort dogs during thunderstorms or other loud noises. How tight the shirt should be varied from dog to dog, so it is best to consult with a veterinarian or trainer to get the best fit for your pet.
Which Brand of Thundershirts Are the Best Quality, and Why?
There are a few different brands of Thundershirts available, and some people may find that one brand works better for their dog than another. However, most people agree that the Thundershirt brand is one of the best quality, as it is made from high-quality materials and is designed to fit snugly.
Are There Any Negative Side Effects to Wearing a Thundershirt?
There are generally no negative side effects of wearing a Thundershirt, though some dogs may become agitated if not used to wearing clothing. It is important to make sure that the Thundershirt is properly fitted so that it does not cause any discomfort to the dog.
How Does a Thundershirt Work?
There are a few different theories as to how a Thundershirt works, but the most likely explanation is that the shirt provides a sense of calm and security by applying pressure to the dog’s torso. This pressure is thought to be similar to the sensation that puppies feel when they are nestled against their mother’s body, which may help to reduce anxiety.
Is There Any Evidence that Wearing a Thundershirt Can Help Reduce Pain from Fibromyalgia?
There is some evidence that wearing a Thundershirt can help reduce pain from Fibromyalgia. A study published in the journal “Pain Medicine” found that patients who wore Thundershirts reported a significant reduction in pain levels, fatigue, and anxiety. Additionally, the study found that patients who wore Thundershirts reported a significant improvement in quality of life.
Can a Dog Wear a Thunder Shirt All Night?
There is no evidence that suggests a dog cannot wear a Thundershirt all night. If your dog is not used to wearing a Thundershirt, it might be best to take it off before bedtime and put it back on in the morning. Remember to keep an eye on how your dog is reacting while wearing the shirt, and if they are having trouble breathing or seem uncomfortable, take it off.
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Conclusion
The best way to find out if a thunder shirt is the right fit for your dog is by measuring their girth. Girth should be measured around the widest part of the chest and ribcage, which usually falls at or just behind where his front legs attach to his body. This measurement will help you determine what size would work best for your pup! Thanks for reading our post about how tight should a thundershirt be.
