Something about my kitty
Othello has always been a skittish kitty who isolated himself in my bedroom and spent a considerable time hiding.
When he became so brave with his thunder shirt on in that storm recently, I decided to do an experiment.
I left his thundershirt on.
He is a 100% different cat.
he hangs out in the
living room now not startling and running to hide when he hears neighbors going up or down the stairs.
He plays more and goes to sleep on his cat tree.
He doesn't get those sudden shudders out of the blue now.
He doesn't isolate himself he spends most of his day with me.
He is very affectionate and interacts with me a lot more..
He seems content and happy and behaves like my other cats did who were not skittish.
He sits with me and doesn't flee when I shift my body around .
I take the shirt off for a few hours everyday so he can bathe and stuff and he does not struggle when I put it back on. He seems to want me to put it back on.
He'll walk to where I lay his thunder shirt down sniff it and look at me in a way to get my attention. Than I put it back on him.
I think I solved his fear problem.
I am so happy because he would not eat any calming treat I gave him. Went through every brand I could find.
He seems so much more happy and content.
Amazing how a simple Velcro shirt helps him.
I will use it on him everyday and wash it during his break from wearing the shirt.
I am so happy he's better now.
It broke my heart he was so skittish an anxious.
= new reply since forum marked as read
It’s reminding me of the hug machine Temple Grandin fashioned for cows so long ago -
So cool, this could change SO many kitty (and puppy?) lives in a major way!!
BRAVO 
Hanging out with me in the living room earlier today. He has been with me since morning.
Napping after dinner (5:30)in the pillows on my bed.
He never slept on the pillows I guess he didn't feel safe enough to.
He used to sleep on the covers on the made up part of the bed because he'd sometimes get startled at me puttering around the bedroom and leap off the bed.
He is so comfy here,didn't react at all except to look at me. His paws are curled up he never used to curl his paws like that when he slept on the bed! Or anywhere else.
Here is a pic
as I was walking out of the room.
Note his paws have not uncurled as I backed off the bed and stood up as I took the pic..
Normally the motion of my knees on the bed would have made him jump.
I've heard it's the same effect us humans can get from using a weighted blanket. My daughter who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks swears by the weighted blanket helping her get a better nights sleep, and also calms her during times of panic.
Best to you and Othello from my Stanley and me
This is his pre-adoption pic from the shelter. It's amazing what a little love can do. He is a love sponge!
