Weighted blankets work for animals in the same way they work for human beings to reduce anxiety. The extra weight provides calming Deep Pressure Touch. Deep Pressure Touch is a firm but gentle consistent pressure. It triggers two responses in the body that bring feelings of reduced anxiety. It firstly shuts off the body’s “fight or flight” instinct that is governed by the sympathetic nervous system. It then activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This causes both the breathing rate and heart rate to slow and the muscles relax. The end result is that your pet feels more relaxed and less anxious.