ThunderShirt Reports: 4th Of July is the Most Common Time of Year for Dogs to Run Away.
Durham, N.C. (PRWEB) June 17, 2014 -- For most pet owners, the summer months can mean more time outside, enjoying the warmer weather and summer festivities like the 4th of July. However, what pet owners may not know is that common 4th of July activities like fireworks and summer parties can cause debilitating anxiety in our four-legged friends. The loud noises from fireworks can cause pets to panic, feel anxious, bark uncontrollably, chew through leashes, dig under fences to escape, claw destructively, suffer seizures and escape into busy traffic areas while trying to flea from the loud, unfamiliar sounds. In fact, the 4th of July and the following day are the busiest for animal shelters and animal control groups nationwide recovering lost pets that have run away.
When it comes to treating pet anxiety, roughly half of anxious dogs go untreated because owners feel it unnecessary or they believe anxiety simply doesn’t exist. This is costing pet owners upwards of $1 billion on damaged property, trainers, vet visits and more. Fortunately for pet owners, there’s a calming solution to protect your pets and help their anxiety during the Independence Day celebrations, the ThunderShirt.
“For the past five years, the ThunderShirt for dogs and cats has been one of the simplest and most effective solutions for pet owners looking to calm their pets,” said Phil Blizzard, founder of ThunderShirt and CEO of ThunderWorks. “Even if your pet is normally calm, it’s important to know that the 4th of July is a common time for pets to get spooked and to prepare accordingly.”
The ThunderShirt’s patented design provides a gentle, constant pressure that has a dramatic calming effect on pets. The ThunderShirt has already helped millions of dogs with 4th of July-related anxiety and is recommended by trainers and veterinarians worldwide. Pet anxiety experts believe that pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system and may release calming hormones like endorphins an oxytocins.
For pet owners looking for additional ways to help their pets cope with 4th of July stress and anxiety, ThunderWorks offers the following recommendations:
1. Be sure a pet has up to date and visible identification and micro-chipping in case they run away if scared by noisy fireworks.
2. Don’t bring pets to fireworks events. Pets are better off being left home if you are going to partake in firework festivities.
3. Be sure to back up any photos or medical records to a cloud service so it can be easily accessed if traveling.
4. If a dog is regularly crated, he/she may find the crate a place of comfort during fireworks. Try using a pheromone spray such as the ThunderSpray and make sure his favorite toy is available for further calming and distraction.
5. Keep pets inside as much as possible during fireworks displays. The insulation of a home will help drown out the noise and make the dog feel more secure.
6. And, don’t scold a scared pet. This will scare and confuse a dog and reinforce fearful behaviors.
For more information on how the ThunderWorks line of products can calm your pet this 4th of July, visit http://www.ThunderWorks.com. The ThunderShirt for Dogs is available in sizes XXS to XXL with a variety of color and design options. Suggested retail starts at $39.95. The ThunderShirt for Cats is available in sizes S, M and L. Suggested retail is $39.95. Both products can be personalized with custom embroidery for an additional charge.
If you are a member of the media and would like more information, high resolution images or product samples, please contact Kerry Sutherland at K. Sutherland PR, Kerry(at)KSutherlandPR(dot)com or 949-328-4895.
About ThunderShirt and ThunderWorks
Founded in 2009 in Durham, N.C., ThunderShirt’s mission is to bring relief to the millions of dogs, cats and their families struggling to cope with anxieties. The ThunderShirt is designed to apply a constant, gentle pressure to a dog or cat’s torso creating a dramatic calming effect for most users. ThunderShirt continues to investigate anxiety and fear issues with scientific-based studies and surveys from recognized veterinarians and pet owners. ThunderShirt has already helped millions of dogs and cats across the country and around the world. The company also donates thousands of ThunderWorks products and funding to rescue groups and shelters to help these organizations manage their anxiety cases and find permanent homes.
In recognition of the company's expanding product line into more calming solutions, ThunderShirt has changed its corporate name to ThunderWorks. As always, the company is committed to developing calming pet products that are effective, simple to use and strengthen the bond between pet and pet parent. Together, let’s be better humans to our pets. Products are sold at http://www.ThunderWorks.com and by retail stores, veterinarians, trainers and kennels across the country.
Kerry Sutherland, K. Sutherland PR, +1 (949) 328-4895, [email protected]
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