Many people use weighted blankets for their own anxiety, and they wonder if it would be good for their dog. They might have anxious dogs that get excited over fireworks or the weather and want to find a solution. This is just one solution that you can investigate.
Anxious dogs need help when they are at their worst. Weighted blankets or jackets have been said to help with them in most cases. You just need to know more about these items before you use them for the first time.
Many different types of pets can be anxious, including dogs of all sizes. That is why a weighted dog blanket is a consideration. You need to be careful when using one, but they have been known to help in most situations.
This article will give you some information about weighted blankets for your dog. It will answer some of the questions that you might have about them. You can also do more research to find the information that you are seeking.
Information About Weighted Blankets
How Does it Work?
These blankets were first used for humans who were having anxiety or having trouble sleeping. Most weighted blankets have glass or plastic beads in them. They can weigh between five pounds and twenty pounds, making them good for just about any size dog.
These have been good for people, and many think that if they are good for people, they should do the same thing for their pets. You don’t want to use one that is too heavy for your pup, make sure that you monitor your pet while they are using the blanket. There are other products such as compression vests that can be used, but the blankets seem to help some dogs more.
Are They Good for Pups with Anxiety?
Weighted blankets can absolutely help dogs with anxiety. Although there have been no peer-reviewed studies to prove it, it has been shown that they increase the serotonin levels and decrease the cortisol in your pet. See more here. Many pups seek out comfort from under one of these when they are anxious.
How Much Should It Weigh?
The recommendation for people is that it should be five to twelve percent of your body weight. It needs to be less than this for pets. It should be up to five percent of their body weight to keep them safe.
If the blanket weighs much less than your dog and they can move freely under it and escape if they want to, it should be safe for them to sleep under it. If you have a brachycephalic dog, it would be best to ask your vet if it is safe at all. Do not leave your pup unattended while they are sleeping under it just to be safe.
Glass Beads
The blanket is filled with plastic or glass beads that are separated into individual pockets. If left unattended, a pet can tear one of these pockets up and spill the beads. According to a vet, the beads will not harm your pet because they are so small and will pass eventually.
Tips to Consider
There are some things that you want to consider when buying one of these for your pet. The first thing is that you want it to be machine washable for your ease of cleaning. There are many to choose from that are machine washable and you can get them almost anywhere including Amazon or Etsy.
Make sure that you get the right weight for your pet. Since the lightest one is about two pounds, it would be best to use these only on larger dogs. It is best to start with the lightest one and go from there.
Make sure to monitor your pet when you first try one out. You don’t want to leave them unattended just in case there are issues that they can’t get themselves out of. If you see them struggling to get out from under the blanket, it is too heavy for them.
Create a safe place for them – this could be their crate or some quiet corner in your home. Put the cover in a safe place along with any other comfort items they might have. This will show them that this is their safe place and eventually they will go there when they become anxious.
While they are getting used to it, stroke and pet them as they are under it. This will help them to know that this is safe and that they are safe. You can use deep pressure points to help calm them even more.
Conclusion
Weighted blankets for dogs can be used for anxious pets, just as they can be used for people. You need to be careful and watch your pet carefully while they are using them. Never leave them unattended so that you can help them if they become even more stressed.
