Key Points

• Calming blankets for dogs is a form of pressure therapy that helps them feel safe.

• You can help your dog relax by investing in calming beds, weighted blankets, anxiety wraps, or Thundershirts. 

• Pets dealing with separation anxiety, fear-related anxiety, or similar challenges benefit from using a calming blanket.  

Imagine, as you’re falling asleep, you feel the light pressure of your four-legged companion settling in around your feet. Whether it’s your cat or dog, that snuggle does have a stress-reducing effect on both of you. There’s a healing nature surrounding loving contact, like cuddling or hugging. Relaxing because you’re warm and cozy can also be thanks to the comfortable blanket.

Dogs experience the same feelings of security and comfort as people. Consider using to a calming blanket for dogs to help ease their aniexty and stress.

Do Dogs Like Comfort Blankets?

Ever watch YouTube or TikTok videos of dogs acting attached to dog beds, a favorite toy, or a blankie? It’s not a question of whether dogs “like” comfort items because the obvious answer is a resounding "yes." Be it animal or human, comfortable is a state many enjoy.

Why Are Comfort Blankets for Dogs a Thing?

Aside from the soft, delicate nature of a calming blanket, comfort blankets have another purpose. Does your dog get stressed? Does your dog have separation anxiety? The benefits of a comfort blanket include having a positive effect on your pups’ mental and emotional health. 

Comfort blankets are also known as calming blankets, anxiety blankets, and pressure therapy blankets. In other words, comfort blankets are a popular item for dogs because using them is a natural way to reduce stress.

Why Is Reducing Stress in Dogs So Important?

No one likes to deal with stress. Humans, at least, have more freedom in choosing outlets and healthy ways to handle stressful situations. Dogs, cats, and other animal companions have limited options in what each can do. 

A hyperactive dog struggling with extreme separation anxiety, for instance, finds it more difficult to control their behavior and actions once they're alone. If they don't get enough exercise or don’t have a safe space to relax, it's no surprise that you come home to chew marks on furniture, shoes, or even the door.

Aside from items getting damaged or destroyed, stress can impact your animal's health. Chronic fear, anxiety, or stress leads to higher chances of urinary tract infections, mood swings, nervous ticks like excessive grooming, changes to blood pressure, digestive issues, and more. 

For example, dogs, cats, and humans can develop Cushing disease. Middle-aged dogs tend to face this diagnosis more than cats or humans. According to V.M.D., Ann Stohlman, a veterinarian in FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, "Cortisol is one of the body’s natural steroids ... [and] a normal amount of cortisol helps the body adapt in times of stress."

Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone. It’s produced by the pituitary gland, and when there's an overabundance, the body gets stuck in a heightened state of stress. If you take no steps to lower the cortisol hormone levels, over time, health problems begin to occur. 

Reducing stress is important for everyone, but your dog may be more prone to developing physical ailments from chronic stress and anxiety. It’s just one more reason comfort blankets for dogs are popular.

How Do Calming Blankets Work for Dogs?

The idea or theory behind the calming blanket or anxiety blanket is that light pressure affects the autonomic nervous system, allowing the body to relax and enter a calming state. As the relaxation takes over, the canine’s pituitary gland slowly stops the release of cortisol, the stress hormone. When a dog experiences anxiety, stress, depression, or extreme fear, their pituitary gland continues producing cortisol. 

If you notice your dog is in distress, it’s important to respond quickly. Helping them calm down may have an immediate impact on their stress levels. 

Once you get a calming blanket, make sure to test it out first. If you notice a negative reaction in your dog, like a skin allergy, sneezing, dripping nose, or watery eyes, remove the blanket. Some dogs are sensitive to certain fibers. If your dog is allergic to any material in the blanket, it can cause skin irritation and rashes, pimples, bald spots, and similar dermal issues.

Canines that suffer from allergies are already experiencing some physical stress, especially with their immune system working overtime. Failing to spot a negative skin reaction to the new calming dog blanket increases their stress levels. 

Pay close attention when you get any new cuddle toy for your pup. Some canines are sensitive to certain fibers in stuffed animals, plush toys, pillows, and calming dog beds.

Do Anxiety Blankets for Dogs Work?

The short answer is "yes," anxiety blankets for dogs do work. Although much of the data is theoretical, there’s research that indicates a connection between lowered heart rate, stable breathing, and the general calming effect of light tissue therapy and deep tissue therapy.

Anxiety blankets are well known for providing that light tissue therapy. The simple act of covering your dog with a blanket is enough to start lowering their stress levels. A weighted anxiety blanket delivers deep tissue therapy. The heavier blanket helps reduce fear, anxiety, and stress. It also helps your furry friend fall asleep faster. 

Sleep is tough to come by when your barking pal is hyperactive, has high anxiety, and has sound sensitivity. Any noise could jolt them awake, placing them in alert mode. Once they're awake, the wind-down process must begin again.

It doesn’t matter if you get a cozy, calming dog blanket or a weighted anxiety blanket; just be sure to have a safe space prepared for them. If your four-legged companion likes keeping an eye on the window, set up their blanket in a nice spot facing the window. 

Do they prefer relaxing next to the bed? Or maybe they like lying under the kitchen table? Some dogs gravitate towards the heat. If your little one likes napping beside the heating vent, that’s the best place to set up their new calming dog blanket.

Anxiety Wrap for Dogs

An anxiety wrap is also referred to as an anxiety vest. They’re designed to help ease a dog’s anxiety by applying light compression to the torso. Theoretically, that feeling is the same feeling an infant gets from swaddling. The effect is the same; just as an infant can calm down and rest from a swaddle, so can a pup. 

It’s not surprising that dogs experience that same calming effect, especially since dogs have the intelligence equivalent to 2 or 3-year-old toddlers. This is a fact that may come in handy when you’re dealing with a stressed-out doggo.   

Cozy Calming Pet Blanket 

The calming pet blanket does help with anxious pets, but it’s also perfect for cuddlers. The emanating warmth from your fluffy dog as they curl up beside you is a wonderful feeling. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, gets overwhelmed quickly, or worries easily, the most common advice is to get a cozy, calming pet blanket for them.

For soft, foldable blankets your dogs will love, take a look at the Calming Cuddle Blanket Plus+. It’s designed to make every area more comfortable, whether they're on the floor or in a crate. The blanket includes an inner pocket for all-natural calming inserts. 

For instance, the tranquility insert works to soothe barking dogs who resort to destructive behaviors due to separation anxiety. The peace insert calms hyperactive dogs who get anxious about strangers, visitors, and traveling. The zen insert helps your loveable canine get restful sleep. It’s also designed to keep them calm around loud noises or during thunderstorms. 

Optimize the results of the calming pet blanket by investing in these signature calming inserts.

Do Weighted Blankets Help Scared Dogs?

Research shows using a weighted blanket has health benefits for humans, including but not limited to reducing stress and helping with anxiety, insomnia, and autism. Fear is a stressful emotion and can really zap a dog’s energy levels. Then again, low energy results after acting out because they're scared.

For instance, shaking, acting jittery, and having generally sporadic movements are signs your dog is afraid. Couple that physical reaction with vocal distress, and it’s enough to get any dog lover frowning. No one wants to see a canine companion scared and crying out in fear.

A weighted blanket, like the anxiety wrap, is helping to relax the nervous system, allowing your dog to calm down gradually. The extra weight applies deeper pressure than a regular calming blanket. It’s designed to emulate an embrace, giving dogs the sense that they're getting a hug.

Why is the idea of hugging so important? According to experts at Cherrelyn Animal Hospital, the act of hugging or cuddling helps the body release certain hormones like oxytocin. It also helps release neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, commonly known as happy transmitters. Oxytocin is the anti-stress hormone or the “love” hormone. It also dampens the production of cortisol, thus reducing stress.

Weighted Dog Blanket for Anxiety

Finding a decent, weighted dog blanket for anxiety can be challenging when you don’t know where to look. Plus, there are a few pros and cons that come to mind when tracking down the best choice for your doggo. Studies on weighted blankets for anxiety find:

"The pressure of weighted blankets puts your autonomic nervous system into 'rest' mode, reducing some of the symptoms of anxiety, such as a quickened heart rate or breathing. This can provide an overall sense of calm."

That’s just one example of the pros of using this deep-pressure therapy blanket for anxious dogs. As far as the cons go, there are not many negative results. Pay special attention to the material. If your barking pals live with sensitive skin, be sure to check out some hypoallergenic calming blankets. 

The Calming Shirt

A Thundershirt is a good choice because it provides the same benefits as pressure therapy. The feelings of protection are more prevalent thanks to the snug fit, which has a calming effect. A calming shirt or anxiety shirt is for reducing stress in dogs.

If your dog is hypersensitive to sounds, then thunderstorms, windstorms, and even fireworks going off are anxiety-provoking events. A Thundershirt helps keep them comforted during those major weather events or noisy neighborhood celebrations.

What To Give Your Pet for Calming

If you aren’t sure about calming products or how to help your dog calm down and relax, look at the reviews. Pet calming blanket reviews provide some insight into the success pet parents have when getting a calming blanket. One review states the blankets are unique thanks to the calming pocket, which emits a calming scent that works for dogs dealing with separation anxiety. 

Does your dog fight with the cat over their comfy bed or warm blankie? Maybe your cat could use some equal comfort? Trying to help a kitty relax might be a little more challenging than a dog. Cats are smaller and very agile. If your cat likes to hide, good luck trying to find them. If you notice they get skittish when storms hit or when strangers visit, it could be a sign they're experiencing fear. A calming pet blanket for cats delivers the same type of benefits that it does for dogs.

After considering all the factors involved in the idea behind calming dog blankets, it shouldn’t be a tough choice. The calming blanket, dog bed, weighted blanket, anxiety wrap or vest, and Thundershirt all work to help dogs struggling with fear, anxiety, and stress. Remember, keeping your dog’s stress levels low is important for their mental, physical, and emotional health. Sometimes, all of our pets need a form of calming therapy. 

From treats and sprays to bedding and shirts, invest in calming products that work. Be sure to learn more about calming items at CalmingDog.