Anxiety Wraps for Dogs: Do They Work?

Key takeaway: Pressure wraps help some dogs with mild-to-moderate anxiety by applying gentle, constant pressure. Research shows measurable reductions in heart rate, and about 89% of owners in one study reported improvement, but they're rarely enough alone for severe storm phobia.

How they work

Anxiety wraps use deep pressure therapy, the same principle behind weighted blankets and infant swaddling. Gentle, evenly distributed pressure can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering heart rate and reducing stress hormones.

Think of it like a constant hug. For some dogs, this sensory input is calming. For others, it does nothing, or the process of putting it on creates more stress than it relieves.

The wrap needs to be snug but not restrictive. Too loose and there's no pressure effect. Too tight and you're causing discomfort.

What the research says

A 2014 study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior tested ThunderShirts on 90 dogs diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Dogs wearing a properly fitted wrap showed significantly less increase in heart rate compared to dogs wearing a loose wrap or no wrap at all.

An earlier Tufts University study on the Anxiety Wrap found 89% of owners reported it was "at least partially effective" for thunderstorm phobia.

A 2024 systematic review concluded: "pressure vests may have small but beneficial effects on canine anxiety" but cautioned that owners "should not expect their dog's anxiety to be fully alleviated."

Bottom line: There's real evidence wraps help, but effect sizes are modest. They work best as one tool among several.

What owners actually report

The pattern across forums and reviews: wraps work well for mild-to-moderate cases, less so for severe phobia, and some dogs simply don't respond.

"We ended up trying a thunder shirt and it is beyond amazing... Last night we had some strong storms and he panicked. Heart racing, constant trembling, whining. After a few minutes, the thunder shirt was decided. The moment it was grabbed out of the drawer, our anxious dog jumped up and ran to us. Stood still for the wrap and then jumped back on couch to cuddle. Only now he was not trembling at all."

Source: Reddit user via Acme Canine

"The thunder shirt hasn't helped my dog to the same degree. We usually put the shirt on in addition to some essential oils, a relaxation CD, and a 'safe space'... all of this together alleviates his anxiety maybe 25%."

Source: u/EDMCapricorn on Reddit

"I have a very anxious Miniature Poodle who is very sensitive to wearing anything other than a collar. The Thundershirt just made his anxiety worse and resulted in extreme anxiety behavior I hadn't seen before."

Source: Champion of My Heart blog

My experience with Juniper

I have a ThunderShirt Sport for my Golden Mountain Dog, Juniper. Honest assessment: it's not enough to keep her calm during storms.

Juniper has severe storm anxiety, panting, pacing, scratching at doors, drooling. She starts reacting 20+ minutes before the first thunder.

The ThunderShirt takes the edge off slightly. She seems marginally less frantic with it on. But it's nowhere close to sufficient on its own. We use it as one layer: ThunderShirt + trazodone + white noise + her safe room.

If your dog has mild anxiety, a wrap alone might be enough. For severe phobia, think of it as one tool among several.

Tips for success

Fit matters. A loose wrap won't apply meaningful pressure. Follow the manufacturer's sizing guide.

Introduce it during calm times. Don't wait for a storm to try it for the first time. Let your dog wear it around the house so they associate it with normal life.

Put it on early. Like medication, wraps work better as prevention than intervention. Once your dog is in full panic mode, adding a wrap won't help much.

Watch for velcro aversion. Some dogs hate the sound. If yours runs when they see the wrap, that's a sign the velcro is causing stress.

Calming Wraps Worth Checking Out

The bottom line

Anxiety wraps are low-risk and help a meaningful percentage of dogs. Worth trying, especially for mild-to-moderate anxiety. Don't expect miracles for severe phobia, but as one piece of a multi-layered approach, they can contribute.

Related: Non-Medication Help for Storm Anxiety covers wraps alongside safe spaces, white noise, and other tools you can stack together.

Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and not a substitute for veterinary advice.