Prepare Anxiety-Ridden Pets for the Busiest Travel Time with ThunderWorks

With more than 39.6 million people estimated to be traveling via automobile this Thanksgiving season, many cars on the road will also be carrying the family pet. In fact, according to the American Pet Products Association, one-third (32 percent) of dog owners bring their dogs when traveling in a car for a trip lasting at least two nights. What pet parents may not know is that the tight spaces, unfamiliar motion and long durations associated with car travel can lead to anxious and irritable behavior in our dogs. Signs of travel anxiety include carsickness, barking, whining, pacing, scratching and restlessness. Many dogs become dangers to themselves and others by jumping on the driver or otherwise distracting concentration from the road.

"The day before Thanksgiving is the busiest time of year for travel and more pet parents are choosing to bring pets with them each year," said Phil Blizzard, founder of ThunderShirt. "ThunderWorks offers variety of calming solutions to make car trips less stressful for our pets."

With its patented design, ThunderShirt's gentle, constant pressure has a dramatic calming effect for dogs and cats if they are anxious or fearful when riding in the car. Using the ThunderShirt prior to car entry can help combat a pet's erratic behavior, even for short car rides. Anxiety experts believe that pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system and releases calming hormones like endorphins or oxytocins. ThunderShirt is available in XXS-XXL and retails for $39.95.

For a dog that simply needs a subtle distraction in the car, the ThunderToy and ThunderTreat are a thoughtfully designed stuffable puzzle chew toy and calming treat combination that helps calm and distract stressed or anxious dogs. The ThunderTreat is made to fit inside the ThunderToy, and includes proven calming ingredients such as chamomile and lavender and is made in the USA. The ThunderToy is available in two sizes, small and large, and retails for $12.95 and $14.95. The ThunderTreat is available in 4oz. bags for $7.95, and 8oz. bags $9.95.

ThunderSpray calms and comforts pets by mimicking a mother's natural pheromones and is comprised of soothing fragrances of lavender and chamomile. ThunderSpray can be used in two ways: by spraying a single burst in the car where the pet will sit, or in conjunction with the ThunderShirt and sprayed on the neck of the ThunderShirt. The calming pheromones and fragrances continue to release for an extended period and the liquid will dry stain-free. ThunderSpray is available for both dogs and cats, and retails for $19.95.

Sometimes, pets can become increasingly stressed by what they see when traveling, for example, other cars or animals outside. The ThunderCap filters a dog's vision in order to reduce the visual stimulation that is experienced during travel. ThunderCap is available in sizes XS-L and retails for $19.95.

In addition to finding the best pet stress and anxiety solution product for your pet, ThunderWorks also reminds pet parents:

• Give pets plenty of rest stops. Stopping frequently will allow a pet to exercise and eliminate, and never permit a pet to leave the car without a collar, ID tag and leash.
• Bring along a human buddy whenever possible. It's helpful to share the driving and pet caretaking duties with a friend or family member to avoid distractions while driving, and ensure your pet's well-being.
• Don't ever leave a pet alone in a car. Even quick stops may feel like no time, but can lead to unhealthy heat damage in pets, even in seemingly mild weather.
• Leave the front seat for humans. Keep pets in the back seat of the car. If an airbag deployed while a pet was in the passenger seat (even in a crate), it might injure the pet.
• Keep pets inside. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or become ill from having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.

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.