The Best Anxiety-Calming Pheromone Collars for Dogs in 2024
All good pheromone collars will use – you guessed it – pheromones to help relieve anxiety and stress for your dog. Many dogs are prone to react to stressful situations. Rescue dogs, in particular, may feel heightened levels of anxiety. Using such a collar to soothe and relax your dog can be one of the kindest things you do.
We use calming collars all the time in various situations. On this page, we have assembled the top ones on the market this year and added a few tips at the end from our experience with using such collars. So let’s get into it!
Our Top List
Last update on 2024-11-13 at 18:26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Chuwpi Calming Collar for Dogs
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This collar responds to your pup’s body temperature to release a calming pheromone. The odorless pheromone helps calm your dog’s anxiety, excitement, or distress. The pheromone mimics those made by mothers after having a litter of puppies. Interestingly, cats may benefit from the calming mom-dog pheromones, too.
The collar is made with non-irritating, pet-safe materials. It is a one-size-fits-most with adjustable holes to get a secure fit, up to necks 25 inches around. Depending on where the holes are, you may find it to be too small for some dogs. Trim up the little tail part after you secure it to avoid pulling and chewing.
The collar can last up to 60 days. Since this device works through body heat, you may have to replace the collar sooner than that if you’ve got a hot dog. The collar is unscented, which is somewhat rare in the world of anxiety collars.
Takeaways
- Mimics mother dog pheromones
- Adjustable for up to 25″ necks
- 60-day lifespan
- Unscented
2. Howan Collar for to Reduce Anxiety in Dogs
This collar uses pheromones, along with calming essential oils lavender and chamomile, to help keep your pup calm and relaxed. It is guaranteed 100% natural without dangerous chemicals that can irritate the skin and negatively affect the health of your dog.
This collar works for dogs with necks up to 25 inches and is adjustable. The flexible and adjusts easily. The subtle grey color won’t clash with your dog’s more fashionable collar accessories.
The collar lasts for up to 30 days, a bit shorter than some. The collar comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee—if you don’t like it or it doesn’t work, Howan will refund you without question.
Takeaways
- 100% natural calming agents
- Adjustable up to 25″
- Satisfaction guarantee
3. Tyhocent Pheromone Collar for Cats & Dogs
This calming collar starts working within an hour. It uses the standard combination of relaxing pheromones and lavender to help calm your pup’s fears of being alone, loud noises, the works. The collar is effective for up to 8 weeks and is an eye-catching purple.
These collars come in two different sizes for an optimal fit. The smaller size fits up to 15-inch necks and the larger up to 24 inches. The collars are not really specified by animal, even though the Amazon listing sells them as “cat” and “dog.” It is referring to size only.
The product listing mentions that it isn’t addictive—I sure hope not! However, you may become addicted to your dog’s good behavior.
Takeaways
- Two sizes to fit most cats and dogs
- Works for up to 8 weeks
- Non-addictive
4. Relaxivet Collar for Stress Reduction
Like most calming collars, this one works with a combination of pheromones and lavender to reduce anxiety and stress. Many users have reported that this collar works particularly well for their dogs who are frightened of thunder specifically.
The collar is made with 100% non-toxic and pet-safe ingredients. It fits necks up to 26 inches, which gives it an extra inch on a lot of the competition. People with bigger dogs may find this collar actually fits. It is still adjustable for small dogs, though. Just size and snip off the extra.
The collar is good for up to 30 days. It’s purple with a light lavender scent. However, some owners say they can smell plastic manufacturing residue, and it’s not pleasant for them or their dog.
Takeaways
- Good for reducing anxiety around thunder
- Fits dogs with up to 26″ neck
- Light lavender scent
5. Fedciory Collar
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Your dog’s body heat activates this collar, and it can last up to 30 days. Fedciory recommends you replace it every 4 weeks to maintain the effectiveness. It is adjustable up to 25.59 inches—we appreciate that level of specificity.
Similar to others, it uses lavender and chamomile essential oils to aid the pheromones’ effectiveness. The collar is waterproof for use in the bath and won’t lose its effectiveness after exposure to water. Fedciory guarantees the product and offers a 100% refund if you’re unsatisfied.
Some folks feel the lavender scent is too overpowering, especially for young puppies. If you or your dog is sensitive to smells, this collar may be too intense for you.
Takeaways
- Activated by body heat
- Waterproof
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
6. Sentry Collar
Sentry is a popular brand for pet products and accessories. Its pheromone collar works like most do—maternal pheromones, lavender, and chamomile.
Sentry’s collar fits up to a 28-inch neck. This is your go-to if you’ve got a big boy or girl. It’s available as a single, or you can purchase a 3-pack. If you have multiple dogs or know you’re going to use them for the foreseeable future, getting more than one at a time is excellent. The collar is a semi-translucent light blue. Construction is sturdy, and the securing straps stay in place.
Like a lot of scented collars, some buyers find the lavender smell to be chemically and overwhelming. If you’re sensitive to smells, you may look into a different collar.
Takeaways
- Fits up to 28″ necks
- Available in a 3-pack
- Solid construction
Verdict & Review
Chuwpi Calming Collar
Pros
- Effevtive
- Mimics mother dog pheromones well
- 60 day lifespan
- Unscented
- Extendable reservoir
Cons
- We haven't encountered any cons.
The differences between various pheromone collars can be subtle. A lot of the decision-making process is going to be affected by your personal tastes. All collars should do one thing—calm your pooch when they are feeling anxiety or stress. Other features may only be the icing on the cake.
Our pick for the all-around winner is the Chuwpi collar. It works like any other collar to help your dog stay calm when you are away or during stressful times, like fireworks or thunder. It’s a good size for most dogs. It lasts for 60 days, which is longer than a lot of the competition. Best of all, it isn’t scented with lavender. Lavender may help to calm your pet, but for sensitive dogs and owners, it may actually make the situation worse. Better to keep it simple.
Buying Guide
Why does my dog need a pheromone collar?
Most calming collars use the same maternal pheromones a mother dog releases after she gives birth. The pheromone helps newborn pups feel calm and secure after what is undoubtedly a stressful experience.
When dogs are in scary situations, such as thunderstorms or fireworks, it is common for them to feel stressed and frightened. They can’t escape the situation, and hiding doesn’t do much for them, either. Also check out calming treats and anxiety medication.
Dogs can also feel stress when meeting a new animal or new people. Using a pheromone collar to soothe them can mean the difference between a friendly encounter or a frightening, traumatic experience.
Some dogs also feel stress when they are alone for too long. Separation anxiety is particularly common in rescued pets who have been through a lot. What seems like a perfectly calm and reasonable situation to you may be a traumatic nightmare for a dog who’s reliving a negative situation.
They may be happy when you’re home, but old traumas can resurface if they start to feel lonely and abandoned. A calming collar or calming vest helps to soothe those negative feelings until you return.
What makes a good collar?
A good anxiety collar is one that works. If it doesn’t help calm your pet, it’s pointless. With the obvious out of the way, some other factors can indicate the makings of a good collar.
- Size—You’ll need to measure your pet to get the right size. Some dogs, like chihuahuas, are prone to anxiety and may be one of the top candidates for a pheromone collar. Unfortunately, they are also so small around the neck that some collars may not fit. Alternatively, some collars only go up to a specific size and may not fit your pet all the way. Make sure you actively measure the circumference of your pup’s neck before you make your choice.
- Calming ingredients—Most collars use maternal pheromones to calm, and all of the ones we’ve featured on our list have them. Pheromones are undetectable to humans, but they can make a huge difference to a dog. Some collars add additional ingredients such as lavender and chamomile essential oils, both of which provide anxiety and stress relief in humans, too. Be aware, though, that some dogs can be very sensitive to essential oils.
- Length of effect—Effectiveness rates vary among collars. Most pheromones are activated by your dog’s body heat. This means that the hotter your dog’s temperature runs, the faster the pheromone compounds will deplete. Most collars are effective anywhere from 30 to 60 days, depending on the dog’s heat output. If you’ve got a hot dog, you may consider the 60-day option so that it lasts as long as possible before you need to replace it. If your dog doesn’t get overheated or has shaggy fur that blocks some of the heat from getting to the collar, you may find the 30-day options are equally effective.
Safety warnings
Most collars are made with non-toxic, pet-safe ingredients. That being said, some dogs are going to be very sensitive to any additional components in the collar. A lot of collars use lavender and chamomile essential oils, as we mentioned before. These oils, while generally relaxing and soothing, could actually induce more stress in your dog.
Your dog’s sense of smell is much more sensitive than yours. If it smells too overwhelming and unpleasant to you, then you can pretty much guarantee that your dog will feel the same. Start with a collar that doesn’t have these added components and see if it does the trick. Overloading your dog’s senses when you’re trying to calm them down is totally counterproductive.
Your dog’s skin may be sensitive to additional ingredients, too. If you notice any skin irritation or hair loss under or around the collar, take if off immediately. In addition to skin problems, keep an eye out for irritated eyes and nose, and any excessive scratching or attempts to remove the collar. This may be a sign that your pooch is allergic to one or more of the active ingredients.
For cats
Such collars can be useful for cats, too, but be extra careful about collars with essential oils. Lavender, in particular, can be toxic to cats, as they lack the enzyme in the liver to process the oil. Overexposure to lavender essential oil can be very dangerous for cats. If you do want to try such a collar, look for products that are specifically geared toward cats. Choose one that uses pheromones only and does not contain any additional scents or unnecessary ingredients. If your cat isn’t affected by the pheromones, talk to your vet about other ways to help calm a cat’s anxiety.
We are the Pet Dog Pals, a group of avid pet owners, bloggers, product testers, and writers for all your canine needs! We own a collective 16 dogs and 21 cats to help us test and review pet products. Our top lists and tips come from experience to help you be the best dog owner you can be!