Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Thundershirt work?

With its patent-pending design, the new Thundershirt for Cats applies gentle, constant pressure to the torso. This pressure has a dramatic calming effect for cats that/who are anxious or fearful.  Thundershirt has already helped many tens of thousands of dogs around the world, and is recommended by thousands of veterinarians and dog trainers.   And the early results for cats look just as impressive.  Cat owners and veterinarians are amazed by the positive impact a Thundershirt can have with cats.

As for WHY Thundershirt’s gentle pressure works to calm dogs and cats, anxiety experts believe thatpressure has a calming effect on the nervous system and may release calming hormones like endorphins or oxytocics.  Using pressure to relieve anxiety has been a common practice for years. For example:

• Parents use swaddling to calm an inconsolable newborn infant.
• People with autism use pressure to relieve their persistent anxiety.
• Children with certain behavioral problems use pressure shirts and weighted vests to relax and focus.
• TTouch animal trainers use pressure to address a wide variety of anxieties.
• Veterinarians use pressure to relax cattle when they are administering vaccinations.

Until Thundershirt, there just hasn’t been a well-designed, inexpensive solution commonly used for cat anxiety.

Why doesn’t my vet know about this remedy for anxiety and fear issues?

Good question!  The use of pressure to relieve feline anxiety is a relatively new concept and not well known in general.   But we are working hard to change that!  If you would like us to speak with your veterinarian, please contact us.

What training is required for using a Thundershirt for anxiety and fear issues?

For most cases… none! Just put a Thundershirt onto your cat and you will likely see improvement in their symptoms. However, cats are very sensitive to having anything put onto their bodies and the “Freeze & Flop” is a common initial response. When you first put on Thundershirt, if your cat appears to “freeze up” or refuse to move, please see the “Freeze & Flop” section on this page. For many issues, like travel anxiety or vet visits, a Thundershirt may be all you need for success with your cat.  For some more serious anxiety cases, such as severe separation anxiety, you should consult a good trainer for how to integrate Thundershirt into a training program.

My cat freezes up, won’t move or falls over in her Thundershirt.  What should I do?

When first wearing a Thundershirt, some cats will behave as if they are immobilized and may even “fall over”.  Don’t worry! The Thundershirt is not causing discomfort; they just need time to adjust to the new sensations. Cats are amazingly sensitive to touch and sometimes require a little more adjustment time in the beginning. But this also means that many are even more responsive than dogs to the gentle, calming pressure of a Thundershirt!

If your cat initially appears uncomfortable or does the “Freeze & Flop” - please do the following:- Put the Thundershirt onto your cat with very light pressure and for 5 to 10 minutes, try to engage your cat in play with a favorite toy or a laser pointer.  If your cat continues to look uncomfortable or still refuses to move freely, remove the Thundershirt for a short period and then repeat the process two to three times.  If still no success, try repeating the process with longer breaks in between (e.g. wait a day and then retry).

What if Thundershirt isn’t working for my cat?

We stand behind our product! Thundershirt is a terrific solution for most cats suffering from anxiety. If you are having issues like “Freeze & Flop” or otherwise not seeing the results you are looking for, we encourage you to review this page for possible suggestions to improve your results. And we also encourage you to try using Thundershirt at least four times before making a final decision.

But if for any reason Thundershirt isn’t the right solution for your cat, return it within 45 days for a full refund of your purchase price (less S&H). See below for detailed return or exchange instructions.

How do I return my Thundershirt for the money-back guarantee?

If you purchased your Thundershirt from another store or retailer:

Please return your Thundershirt to the place of purchase for credit; we are unable to process returns for Thundershirts not purchased directly from Thundershirt Company. If the place of purchase is unwilling to support the refund policy, please contact us at service@thundershirt.com.

How do I exchange my Thundershirt for a different size?

If you purchased your Thundershirt from another store or retailer:

Please contact the place of purchase to obtain details on their size exchange policy.

Can I wash and dry my Thundershirt? How can I remove hair from the fastener hooks?

Thundershirt is made with durable, washable fabric. When necessary, Thundershirt may be washed in a regular cycle using regular laundry detergent and cold water. Hang to dry.

If necessary, to remove cat hair from your Thundershirt’s fastener hooks, we recommend using a standard “slicker” brush (Available at most any pet store for as little as $2.99). A couple of strokes and the fastener hooks will be nearly completely hair-free.

How long can I leave a Thundershirt on my cat?

Thundershirt is designed to be safe to leave on your cat for extended periods of time when appropriate for the situation or issue that you are addressing.  Thundershirt is made out of lightweight, breathable fabric, so overheating is very rarely an issue.  When properly sized and properly put on with a comfortably snug fit, your cat should be very comfortable for extended periods. 

If you will be allowing your cat to wear a Thundershirt for extended periods over two hours at a time, during the initial periods, we do recommend removing the Thundershirt frequently to check for any signs of irritation points.  Irritation points are very rare, but best to be cautious.

Is it safe to leave my cat unsupervised while wearing her Thundershirt?

It is typically safe to leave a cat unsupervised while wearing a Thundershirt.  HOWEVER…before leaving your cat unsupervised for extended periods longer than one hour, we strongly recommend the following:

• Make sure that your cat is comfortable and moving freely.
• Make sure that your cat is using the litter box without issues.
• Make sure that your cat is not tending to slide her front paws into the neck hole and possibly getting stuck.

We do NOT recommend having an outdoor cat wear a Thundershirt outdoors to avoid reducing her ability to escape from any potential predators.

How do I put Thundershirt onto my cat?

We designed the Thundershirt to be very easy to put onto your cat, even if she is already in a state of anxiety.

What size is right for my cat?

Size	Chest Size	Weight
Small	9”  up to 13”	< 9lbs.
Medium	13” up to 17”	9-13 lbs.
Large	17” up to 24”	> 13 lbs.

Measure “Chest Size” as illustrated by red arrow below

Thundershirt comes in three different sizes… Small, Medium and Large.  See the table to find the right size for your cat. Like people, cats come in many different shapes and sizes, so if your cat has unusual proportions, you may need to go up or down a size versus the “standard” measurements. But the Thundershirt is designed to be very adjustable to accommodate different cat shapes and still be easy to put on.

Is overheating a concern when using a Thundershirt?

Except in extreme conditions (e.g. 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the sun), overheating is not typically a concern when using a Thundershirt.  Thundershirt is constructed of a lightweight, breathable fabric. But if you feel that overheating might be a problem for your particular circumstance, please monitor your cat for any signs of overheating such as heavy panting or tongue hanging out of the mouth. Remove the Thundershirt if you see any signs of overheating