Now, Your Dog Can Feel Less Stressed and Anxious

You know that weighted blankets can help relieve stress and anxiety in people. But did you know that they work for dogs as well?

So, if you think that your dog is stressed, please read on to find out all you need to know about how a Calming Pets’ weighted blanket could help your pet. (And if your dog is feeling less anxious and stressed, it will free up time for you to do more of the things that you love, without constantly reassuring your dog.)

What is a Weighted Blanket for a Dog?

A weighted blanket is a heavy bed covering made from fabric such as cotton. It is usually filled with beads or pellets to give it some mass.

People use weighted blankets to reduce their anxiety or feelings of stress or overwhelm. And now, we’ve found that weighted blankets also help calm and comfort dogs who are feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

What Does Stress Look Like in a Dog?

Your pet can’t tell you that they’re feeling stressed – so how do you know?

Turid Rugaas – a Norwegian dog trainer who specialises in dogs’ “calming signals” – says that dogs may be showing unhealthy stress when they do any of the following:

• Are ill with diarrhoea;
• Vomit;
• Excessive panting;
• Excessive barking or whining;
• Shiver when it’s not cold;
• Wag their tail excessively;
• Show aggression;
• Pace up and down relentlessly;
• Have dilated pupils;
• Are bloated;
• Lick excessively;
• Dig;
• Chew;
• Have tense muscles;
• Have foamy drool;
• Shed excessively;
• Have dandruff;
• Have red eyes;
• Have sweaty paws.

Why do you Use a Weighted Blanket for a Dog?

Dogs who suffer from anxiety, are scared of loud noises (such as thunder storms or fireworks) or have post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may find that a weighted blanket calms them down.

How Does it Work?

Calming Pets’ weighted blankets help soothe the body and mind by using Deep Pressure Touch therapy.

Deep Pressure Touch is a consistent, gentle pressure caused by pressing down on the body or limbs.

This Deep Pressure Touch then acts on the autonomic nervous system in two ways to produce the calming effect.

Like humans, dogs have autonomic nervous systems that govern their responses to situations. And, like humans, there are two important parts to this nervous system:

• The sympathetic nervous system; and
• The parasympathetic nervous system.

Deep Pressure Touch works through two actions on a dog’s body.

Constant production of adrenaline drains a dog. It causes fatigue and can cause negative changes physically – including stopping the digestive system working properly, muscle atrophy and makes it more likely that a dog will get sick.

When you put a Calming Pets’ weighted blanket on a dog, the Deep Pressure Touch deactivates the sympathetic nervous system. And so, it stops all these negative physical symptoms of stress.

But the Deep Pressure Touch continues to work to literally calm your pet.

The heart beat slows. The rate of breathing slows. Muscles relax.

So, you can see, the twin actions of the Deep Pressure Touch can help your dog feel less stressed and anxious. Ultimately, this helps them sleep better.

When Should You Use a Calming Pets’ Weighted Blanket for a Dog?

You can use a Calming Pets’ weighted blanket for a dog whenever your pet is agitated and showing signs of stress.

Many of our customers find them very useful to help their dog relax and go to sleep in the evening. (And this has the happy result that the dog’s insomnia isn’t stopping their owner from sleeping too.)

When is it Not Appropriate to Use a Weighted Blanket for a Dog?

So, what are you waiting for? Your dog can be less stressed and anxious with a Calming Pets’ weighted blanket. Just click the button below to browse our store.