TURNIPSEED TRAVEL
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media

Travel Gear Review: The Thundershirt for Traveling Cats

9/11/2013

 

Introducing our very own Thundercat!!! A look at the Thundershirt for cats who travel (or the owners who want them to). Updated in 2021.

​This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Thundershirt for traveling cats white fluffy cat at a campground in Prince Edward Island Camping TurnipseedTravel.com
The world's heartiest cat - the campground kitty stalking us in PEI. Definitely not our pet! And this is one traveling cat that did not need a Thundershirt!
I've seen a lot of strange things when I've travelled, but one scene really sticks out in my mind. We were camping in Prince Edward Island’s Cabot Beach Provincial Park, and enjoying gorgeous ocean front views, when we realized we weren't alone. There was another presence nearby, something sly and unnatural….It was a cat! A camping cat! A fluffy Persian camping cat on a leash! It was the last thing on earth we were expecting to see. Who goes camping with a white fluffy cat and secures them under a pine tree with a leash and harness? Obviously they never met my cat! Enter the Thundershirt for traveling cats (and maybe dogs too?)
Darwyn the cat is the one member of our family who’s not a dedicated traveler. In fact, travel tops her list of things she hates, as evidenced by the insane meowing that occurs on the rare occasions we have to put her in the car. The short, 10 minute drive to the veterinarians’ office and the pet hotel are met with mournful howls and frantic panting. We have yet to determine if she’s scared, anxious, or just really mad that she’s in an environment where she doesn't rule the roost. No matter the reason, it’s clear that she’s put out and, while it IS kinda funny for the first few minutes, there is no denying it’s also distracting and annoying. 
Vanessa holds Darwyn, a black fluffy cat
Meet our victim... er... I mean, test subject! What would Darwyn the cat think about the Thundershirt?
Eager to have her ease up on the car drama, I was excited to try out the Thundershirt. The Thundershirt works on dogs and cats much like swaddling does on a newborn baby. It makes them feel snug and secure, like being in a never ending hug, and it’s designed to comfort pets who have anxiety with thunderstorms, loud noises, and anything that causes over-excitement or fear.  While it sounds a bit unusual, there was no harm in giving it a try. Anything to stop the travel meltdowns! So what did Darwyn think of the Thundershirt?
Thundershirt Pet Travel Anxiety TurnipseedTravel.com
Darwyn is nice and snug in her ThunderShirt.
Overall, we had moderate success. We found it to be very easy to put the Thundershirt on – and Darywn is NOT the kind of cat who tolerates dressing up. While she wasn't thrilled to be in it, she also wasn't angry – just a bit unsure. While she still howled considerably at the beginning of the car ride, she did calm down and settle into a slightly less pathetic pattern of looking woeful with the occasional screechy meow – a real improvement in her case! 
Thundershirt Cat Travel TurnipseedTravel.com
Don't worry - Darwyn always looks a bit on the grumpy side!
I liked that the Thundershirt came in a non-cutesy, non-girly heather grey and that it’s easy to wash.  I loved that it was easy to put on and take off. The only thing I would change would be the addition of a handle or loop on the back of the Thundershirt so it would be easy to grab Darwyn as she tries to run away when it comes time for the car! I’m guessing that wouldn't be allowed for safety reasons but it would be fun. I would recommend the Thundershirt to anyone who has trouble traveling with their pets, especially if you’re looking for a safe, natural, easy alternative to anxiety and sedation medications. 

Update 2021! Alas, Darwyn the cat crossed the "rainbow bridge" a few years ago. She never did become a convert to travel but I would still give a product like Thundershirt a try to see if it would help future pets. I think it's well worth a try, in conjunction with a conversation with your vet to see if there might be anything else you can do to ease discomfort and anxiety. We donated Darwyn's Thundershirt to a friend whose cat also hated car rides. Alas, they didn't find it tremendously helpful. I thought it would be important to share this - it's not the perfect solution for every pet but it's worth looking into. 
​

Have you had success traveling with your cat? What's your secret - I'd love to know!


If you enjoyed this post, you'll also like:

Oceanfront Camping in Prince Edward Island
Does A Sleeping Bag Count as Carry On?
Travel Disasters: When the Tent Blows Away
Jmayel & Sacha El-haj link
9/11/2013 05:13:33 pm

We use the thundershirt on our english cockerspaniel when we travel in Thailand. It works best when we put it on before the storm or fireworks. But sometimes she is just too scared for it to work lol

Vanessa
10/11/2013 12:22:49 am

What is it about pets and fireworks??? They always freak out no matter what you do!

Cassie link
11/11/2013 07:18:45 am

Interesting! So are you planning any road trips with your cat?!? :) Our cat is the same way, really loud on trips to the vet so we never take her anywhere else.

I have wondered whether this would work for our dog. She gets so scared when she hears fireworks (which my neighbors set of almost nightly from June though August! And on New Years, AND when local teams sports teams win important games, so on). It may be worth a try...

Vanessa
11/11/2013 08:33:21 am

Thundershirts do exist for dogs - in fact, I think they were originally made for 'fraidy dogs who hate storms. I figure it's worth a try during the fireworks - you have nothing to lose!

Not planning any roadtrips with the cat but I hope that when we have no choice but to put her in the car she'll be less stressed (and more quiet)


Comments are closed.
    Recent Posts
    Posts by Location
    Turnipseed Travel Category Canada
    Turnipseed Travel Category USA
    Turnipseed Travel Category Europe
    Turnipseed Travel Category Africa
    Turnipseed Travel Category Australia
    Turnipseed Travel Category Asia

    Post Categories

    All
    $200 Challenge
    200m Challenge
    Accommodation
    Africa
    Amsterdam
    Anti Adventurist
    Asia
    Australia
    Belgium
    Business Travel
    Camping
    Canada
    Central Counties
    Cozy Travel
    Destinations
    Europe
    Experiences & Activities
    Female Travel
    Food And Drink
    Gear And Packing
    Golf
    Greece
    Guest Posts & Interviews
    Health
    Inspiration
    Making Travel Memories
    Montreal
    Most Popular Posts
    National Parks
    Norfolk County
    Ontario
    Ottawa
    Paris
    Partners
    Pet Travel
    Photo Essay
    Preparation
    Press Trip Portfolio
    Reviews Accommodation
    Reviews Gear Packing
    Round The World
    Saving
    Toronto
    Transportation
    Travel Cooking
    Travel Memories Series
    UK & Ireland
    United States

    Posts by Date

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy

Top 100 Travel Influencer
As named by the Obama White House in 2014.​
White House Study Abroad Logo 2014
Turnipseed Travel Logo 2019
DMCA.com Protection Status
© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media