YNN

Rochester

Change region

  66º

You are not signed in  |  Sign in here  |  Help

You're viewing a lite version of ynn.com

Time Warner Cable customers: Sign in with your TWC ID for video access.

Get my TWC ID. | Get TWC service. | Read the FAQ.

06/23/2012 05:00 AM

Pet Pointers: Stress relief products for your pets

This time of year, summer thunder storms and fireworks have many pets running for a hiding place. But there are products on the market that promise a little stress relief for your pets. Lisa Chelenza shows you a few in this edition of Pet Pointers.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.


There are a variety of products that claim to offer relief, so I put them to the test with the help of my dog Ernie.

First, we tried the “Thunder-shirt” that retails at around $40. Surprisingly, it worked for him. The patent pending design hugs your dog to provide constant comfort. I saw a significant reduction in his anxious behavior, including shivering and whimpering. But very loud thunder still made him jump, but then again so did I.

Sentry “Stop That” noise and pheromone spray is another option that is best used to stop negative behaviors like non-stop barking, aggressive reactions, clawing at carpets, or jumping. The trick with this product is to use it the moment your pet acts out. The spray produces a loud hiss that disrupts the action and the pheromones help to calm agitation. It worked on my dog and my cat but the hiss is quite loud.

Next we tried the Sentry “Calming Collar,” available for dogs and cats. This patent pending product claims to mimic the pheromones mothers give off to calm their offspring. The lavender scent was pleasant, which calmed me. I think there was some relief for my dog, but the manufacturer warns some dogs could take a month the see improvement and training should also be used in conjunction with the collar.

Sometimes nothing seems to help calm your pet, but just like people, each animal is different. You may have to try several products before you find one that works for your pet. Keep your receipt for returns and keep trying.