Dogs can become fearful, stressed, and anxious because of fireworks, thunderstorms, travels, vet visits, and many other reasons and can escalate into phobias if not treated promptly.
One way you can help your pup deal with that is by using a calming collar for dogs.
These collars contain dog appeasing pheromone (DAP), natural essential oils, or aromatherapy that can help your canine calm down and relax in stressful situations.
In fact, scientific studies have proven that dog calming collars are effective at reducing fear and anxiety!
Here are our top 6 picks for calming collars for dogs.
| Product | Calming Method | Composition | Longevity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sentry Good Behavior Calming Collar | Pheromones | 0.02% DAP | 30 days |
| Adaptil Calm On-The-Go-Collar | Pheromones | 5% DAP | 30 days |
| Patrivo Calming Pheromone Collar | Pheromones | 1% DAP | 4 weeks |
| Herbal Calming Collars Calm Me Down Calming Pet Collar | Aromatherapy | A dried blend of herbs | 3+ months |
| ThunderEase Calming Pheromone Collar | Pheromones | 5% DAP | 30 days |
| Nurturecalm 24/7 Canine Calming Pheromone Collar | Pheromones | 0.02% DAP | 30 days |
** Best Dog Calming Collars
1. Sentry Good Behavior Calming Collar
The Sentry Good Behavior Calming Collar is one of the most popular and best-selling dog calming collars on the market, with 0.02% DAP to help reduce your fido’s fear and eliminate stress-related behavior.
It uses a patented Good Behavior pheromone technology to release pheromones that mimic those naturally produced by mother dogs to calm and nurture their puppies, infused with lavender and chamomile fragrance for added soothing effect.
This DAP collar can last for 30 days, only comes in one size that fits necks up to 23 inches, and is suitable for use on dogs of all ages.
Features:
- Patented Good Behavior pheromone technology
- 0.02% DAP composition
- Lavender and chamomile scented
- Fits necks up to 23 inches
- Stays effective for up to 30 days
Pros
- Release pheromones that mimic those produced by mother dogs as they nurture their puppies
- Suitable for both dogs and puppies
- It is a popular choice among dog trainers for behavior modification
- Low pheromone concentration, which may be too little for some dogs
2. Adaptil Calm On-The-Go-Collar
The Adaptil Calm On-The-Go-Collar is another popular option among pet parents and is often recommended by veterinarians as they have a high DAP composition of 5%.
It is drug-free and mimics pheromones produced by mother dogs while nurturing their puppies to provide your anxious pup with a sense of security and help them stay calm and comfortable. It is odorless and relies on your dog’s body heat to activate the soothing pheromones, meaning it can help your furkid stay relaxed all day long.
This calming collar for dogs can last for four weeks and comes in four different sizes, in which the puppy and small size can fit necks up to 14.7 inches, and the medium and large size are for neck circumference up to 24.6 inches.
Features:
- 5% DAP
- Odorless
- Available in four sizes
- Last up to 30 days
Pros
- It contains 5% DAP, one of the highest DAP concentrations you will find in a calming collar
- It comes in a wide range of sizes that can fit dogs of all sizes
- Recommended by most veterinarians
- A bit pricey
3. Patrivo Calming Pheromone Collar
The Patrivo Calming Pheromone Collar is another vet-recommended DAP collar you can consider to help your four-legged friend adjust to challenging situations and curb unwanted stress-related behavior.
It is hypoallergenic, made of natural ingredients, and utilizes your dog’s body heat to emit 1% DAP to reduce anxiety-related symptoms, increase focus during training sessions, and adapt to new surroundings more quickly. Plus, it has a pleasant and relaxing lavender and chamomile scent to provide added stress relief.
This calming dog collar contains no addiction or toxic chemicals and only comes in one size that fits necks up to 24.5 inches. It will start working within one hour and can last up to four weeks. What’s more, it includes a 100% satisfaction guarantee!
Features:
- 1% DAP
- Hypoallergenic
- 100% natural ingredients
- Lavender and chamomile essential oils
- Fits necks up to 24.5 inches
- Stays effective for up to four weeks
Pros
- It replicates the pheromones nursing dogs release
- The collar is waterproof
- Recommended by veterinarians
- Backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Some owners noted that the scent is a bit overpowering
4. Herbal Calming Collars Calm Me Down Calming Pet Collar
Prefer to use an anti-anxiety collar that can calm your anxious pup with aromatherapy? Check out the Herbal Calming Collars Calm Me Down Calming Pet Collar.
It is all-natural, filled with a dried blend of stress-relieving natural herbs, with no essential oils, pheromones, or other fillers used to reduce the fear of loud, unpredictable noises caused by thunderstorms and fireworks. It can also help with excessive barking, hyperactivity, stress, and anxiety from travel, and it will last approximately three months.
This herbal calming collar is handcrafted in the US, with a standard width of 2 inches and a center seam to distribute the herbs and help the fabric lay flat against your dog’s neck.
Features:
- All-natural composition
- A dried blend of natural herbs
- Available in five different sizes
- Handcrafted in the US
- Last for at least three months
Pros
- It contains all-natural ingredients (lavender, chamomile, and balsam)
- Most owners are pleased with its smell
- The 100% cotton fabric is soft and lightweight, comfortable for dogs to wear
- No canine appeasing pheromones
5. ThunderEase Calming Pheromone Collar
The ThunderEase Calming Pheromone Collar is also a vet-recommended calming collar for dogs you can trust, with 5% of DAP to calm your fido’s mind.
It is drug-free and relies on your dog’s natural body heat to emit pheromones similar to the ones nursing female dogs release to comfort their puppies. It can effectively lessen general anxiety, separation anxiety, fear of loud noises, stress when socializing or during training, uneasiness in a new environment, and other not-so-fun symptoms.
This DAP collar comes in small and large sizes, which can fit dogs with necks up to 14 inches and 24 inches, respectively.
Features:
- 5% DAP composition
- Odorless
- Available in two sizes
- Last up to 30 days
Pros
- It has a high 5% DAP concentration that can help calm severely anxious dogs
- Recommended by veterinarians
- Powered by one of the most trusted brands
- The collar is a bit stiffer than others
6. Nurturecalm 24/7 Canine Calming Pheromone Collar
The last dog calming collar that made it to our list is the Nurturecalm 24/7 Canine Calming Pheromone Collar, which has a DAP concentration of 0.02%.
Like most DAP calming collars, the pheromones released mimic those given off by a lactating mother dog to provide a reassuring atmosphere and help your pup settle down in fearful or stressful situations, such as being left alone at home, loud noises, vet visits, and traveling.
It has no scent, suitable for adult dogs and puppies with necks of up to 23 inches in circumference, and can last approximately 30 days.
Features:
- 0.02% DAP composition
- Unscented
- Fits necks up to 23 inches
- Last up to 30 days
Pros
- Release pheromones similar to those mother dogs secrete to reassure and calm their puppies
- Suitable for dogs of all ages
- Great for owners who are sensitive to strong smells as it is unscented
- It has a low dosage of 0.02% DAP, which may not be strong enough to help dogs who suffer from severe anxiety
What Are Dog Calming Collars and Do They Work?
Dog calming collars are a collar infused with calming ingredients to reduce a dog’s fear and anxiety, ultimately reducing stress-related behavior such as barking, marking, defecating, whimpering and whining, cowering, and destructive chewing. And there are two types of calming collars for dogs, aromatherapy dog collars and dog appeasing pheromone collars, also known as DAP collars.
Aromatherapy dog collars are all-natural, don’t contain any chemical or toxic ingredients to soothe dogs. Though this type of collar is a less popular option, they have proven to calm overly excited dogs.
On the other hand, pheromone collars or DAP collars can help relax dogs by emitting a synthetic version of natural pheromones released by nursing dogs used to comfort their puppies. It’s also more popular and often used and recommended by veterinarians. In fact, there is scientific proof that pheromones work!
How to Use a Calming Collar for Dogs?
It is pretty straight forward. To use a calming collar for dogs:
- Take the calming collar out from its packaging.
- Wrap it around your dog’s neck and feed it through the loop, like how you would wear a belt.
- Adjust the collar to fit your pup comfortably, not tightly, in which you need to make sure that you can slide two fingers in between the collar and your dog’s skin.
- Trim away any excess collar you have with scissors.
Efficacy of Calming Dog Collars
Many studies have shown that dog appeasing pheromone collars can effectively calm down stressed pups in certain situations and help them feel safe and secure. Here are some of the evidence that calming collars have proven to:
- Reduce fear in hospitalized dogs
- Relieve stress in dogs while traveling
- Decrease separation-induced anxiety
- Help dogs overcome fear and anxiety during training and socializing
- Treat stress associated with social isolation in newly adopted puppies
- Reduce the intensity of fear in dogs during fireworks
- Lessen stress in dogs during simulated thunderstorms
So the answer to that is quite clear. Dog calming collars are effective in helping canines to deal with fear and anxiety.
Why the Bad Calming Collars for Dogs Reviews?
Though there is a large number of proof that calming collars are effective, you notice many owners complained that they don’t work at all! And most products get a rating of around 3 out of 5 on average. Why is that so low?!
Like any types of anxiety treatments, calming collars don’t work for all dogs, which is why these products receive such a low rating. Some dogs will react to these collars very well, while some won’t be affected, and you won’t see any difference in their behavior whatsoever. That also means you have to try different brands to see which one works best for your pup.
Now one question that might pop up in your mind is, are calming collars still worth it? And the answer is yes! The reason is that there aren’t many treatments proven to work. Plus, these collars are drug-free, which is especially great for owners who prefer not to use medications to treat their stressed dogs.
Best Calming Collar for Dogs Buyer’s Guide : Things to Consider
When it comes to picking the best dog calming collar for your furry friend, there are a few things you need to factor into your decision. Below are some of them.
1. What is the type of calming dog collar?
As we’ve mentioned earlier, there are two types of calming dog collars. One is aromatherapy and natural-oil based like the Herbal Calming Collars, and another one uses synthetic pheromones. So, first, you have to decide between these two calming methods.
2. How concentrated is the pheromone in the calming collar for dogs?
If you go for the pheromone collars, you would want to check the DAP composition in the ingredients list, as the concentration levels can range from 0.02% to as high as 5%, like the collars from Adaptil and ThunderEase. The higher the percentage, the more pheromones the collar contains, and as a result, more effective.
3. How long can the calming dog collar last?
Then you would want to see how long the calming collar can last. Most collars on the market can stay effective for up to 28 days or 30 days, and it’s a good idea to order a new one a week before it loses its effectiveness. That is to ensure that the new collar will arrive in time for a continuous supply of pheromones to facilitate uninterrupted anxiety treatment.
4. Is the dog calming collar scented or odorless?
Some calming collars for dogs are fragrance-free, whereas some have a lavender and chamomile scent to provide added stress relief, like the collars from Sentry and Patrivo. While scented collars certainly have a boosted calming effect, they may be too potent for some dogs to enjoy. Also, if you are sensitive to scent, you would be better off choosing an odorless collar.
5. Will the calming collar for dogs fit your pup?
Lastly, make sure the collar you select can fit your dog snugly, as that will determine how effective it will be. Keep in mind that you can’t attach a leash to these collars as they are usually made of soft fabric or plastic. Always clip the lead to your dog’s harness when needing to take your pup out for walks.
Calming Dog Collars Alternatives
If you are the unfortunate one that calming collars don’t work for your anxious pup, you would need to look for an alternative solution to comfort them. And below are some other calming aids that can help dogs cope with their stress.
Dog Calming Treats
Dog calming treats are drug-free, typically use all-natural herbs and vitamins as active ingredients to help ease anxiety without adding lots of additives, preservatives, or GMOs. Not only most ingredients found in calming treats can promote relaxation, but they can also improve your dog’s sleep quality.
Dog Calming Diffusers and Sprays
Dog calming diffusers and sprays are like DAP collars, in which they use pheromones to soothe dogs. For calming diffusers, you will need to plug it in the room where your furkid spends most of their time to ensure that they are in the range the device covers. And for calming sprays, all you need to do is to spray the area where your four-footed friend lays, and the calming effect will usually last for about 4 to 6 hours.
Dog Anxiety Vests
Like swaddling an infant or hugging a person, dog anxiety vests work by applying gentle pressure to a dog’s torso to release chemicals called endorphins, which can relieve anxiety symptoms and promote a sense of well-being. That said, there’s very little data confirming whether pressure therapy works for dogs, though many owners often notice decreased anxiety in their dogs while they wear a calming wrap.
Anti-Anxiety Dog Collars FAQ
1. What are pheromones, and will they affect my other pets in the home?
Pheromones are chemical substances excreted by animals, capable of affecting the receiving animals’ mood and behavior in the same species. And these substances are species-specific, meaning they won’t affect your other pets in your home.
2. Do these pet relaxants really work?
Yes and no. There is scientific proof that shows calming collars work when it comes to reducing a dog’s anxiety, but every dog responds to pheromones differently. Some will have a positive reaction, while some will have mild to no effect at all.
3. Are there any side effects of calming collars for dogs?
There are no known reports of side effects of calming collars for dogs. For that reason, pet parents often choose calming dog collars over drug regimens when it comes to treating their four-legged friend’s anxiety.
