Thundershirt thoughts.

So I've been trialing it out with our Mainecoon who has high anexity/anexious tendencies.

I see a remarkable difference in the way he acts, it's like he's a completely different animal with it on.

He doesn't "attack" (moreso playful attacks) the other cats, he no longer meows randomly for attention, isn't running around acting crazy. However he still is needy, meaning he still wants to cuddle.

I'm somewhat mixed about this, I didn't know what to expect. And I see all the positives out of his mellow behavior, but I almost wonder if he looses some of his personality with it on. He hasn't been playful with it on, looks like he tries to be but is too chilled. Sometimes just sits and stares. He is mobile in it.

Like he's in a constant high. Obviously it's only been a couple days with it on and I wonder how much adjustment we'll see.

I guess what I'm asking has anyone experienced a similar extremely playful cat getting dumbed down with this on? We do take it off when were home, but still almost feels wrong to dumb him down this way.

I've been wondering about thundershirts, too. My abuse rescue Maya has bad anxiety and I've heard some mixed things about them. I'm not sure I like the idea of "dumbing down" as you say, but I wonder if it would be helpful to her. She's okay with people and places she knows but she gets very anxious and uncomfortable when she doesn't and takes a while to adjust. I'm especially worried because later this year I'm planning on moving and will be living with both 2 roommates, and I'm concerned about her reaction to that and ability to adjust alright.

Anyway I'll be following this thread just to see. I don't want to waste my money on something that won't help her.

As I type he's sleeping on me right now, the same extremely loving cat with the vest on. I just wonder about the idea of forcing a constant calm on him even if it is "helping". I mean part of a cat is the playful, curiosity and ahole tendencies. I doubt you'll get that as much if at all with this. You can be playful with him and he'll try and swat at the toys or want to chew on the birdy wings etc. Knowing what he is capable of and seeing how he reacts with it on almost makes me feel bad. But I'm talking about the random playfulness of a mouse on the floor or silver shiny object. This cat easily jumps a foot or more in the air when going after the string. With the vest on, it's like he aged 10 years.

It's still early on for the test, so I'm curious as I said for similar experiences where this will take me.

It's not really intended for perpetual wear, so you can take it off for play time or just to give a break. Right now I'm still in the adjustment phase, where I put it on for awhile and then take it off. She's not freaking out about it, but she still is going through the 'omg i can barely walk' thing that cats sometimes do when wearing something. she's getting better at it,and she's worn costumes before. this is just the first snug thing she's worn.

How is it going for you? did you keep it up?