8 Best Calming Collars for Dogs – 2024 Reviews and Top Picks

Whether training a hyperactive puppy or working through some anxiety issues with an older dog, calming collars can be useful. Typically, calming collars use pheromones to replicate the scent of a mother to help soothe your dog, but other scents may be used instead (such as essential oils).

It can be difficult to decide where to start if you are looking into calming collars for your dog. So, we have compiled a list of reviews of the top picks that give you plenty of information to choose the one that suits your needs.

A Quick Glance at Our Favorites of 2024

The 8 Best Calming Collars for Dogs

1. Adaptil On-the-Go Calming Collar – Best Overall

Adaptil’s On-the-Go Calming Collar is our pick for the best overall calming collar for dogs. This collar is a vet-recommended, drug-free solution to your canine’s stress and anxiety. It uses pheromones to mimic a mother’s scent, calming your dog naturally.

The collar is adjustable, allowing you to determine the size needed and cut away the excess. There are options for puppies, small breeds, and medium to large breeds.

However, you should be aware of which size you are purchasing, as the collar is not a one-size-fits-all. Although the collars are adjustable, if you buy a small breed collar for your big dog, you will not have enough collar to adjust.

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2. Calm Paws Behavior Support Calming Disk Collar Attachment – Best Value

If you want the best calming dog collar for the money, Calm Paws Behavior Support Calming Disk Collar Attachment is the way to go. Although it does not last as long as some, the affordability makes up for it.

It is also a versatile collar, as it is suitable for all dog breeds. Since it is an attachment to be added to a collar, you do not need to worry about adjustability or picking the right size for your dog.

A blend of essential oils creates a soothing effect for your dog, with calming lavender as the main ingredient. However, some dog owners complain that the scent from the attachment is overpowering. If you have an oversensitive sense of smell, you may want to give Calm Palms a test run before committing to it long-term.

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3. Bundle: ThunderEase Calming Collar + Diffuser – Premium Choice

For a premium choice, consider ThunderEase’s bundle. With this calming collar and diffuser package, you can have multiple methods of soothing your dog.

ThunderEase is vet-recommended and suitable for all dog breeds. The collars are drug-free, relying instead on natural pheromones to calm your dog. The diffuser is a helpful tool to provide extra comfort for your anxious pup, lasting as long as the collar (up to 30 days).

There are two collar options, one for smaller dogs and one for larger dogs.

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4. Adaptil Junior Puppy Calming Pheromone Collar – Best for Puppies

For puppies, Adaptil offers the Junior Puppy Calming Pheromone Collar. This collar is suitable for all breeds and provides a drug-free solution to your puppy’s problems. This collar uses natural calming pheromones to soothe your puppy’s anxiety or hyperactive destruction. It is also vet-recommended, ensuring that it is a collar you can trust.

Considering that there is only one collar per package and it only lasts 30 days, Adaptil is a relatively expensive brand. However, it may be just the solution you need to keep your lively puppy settled, making every dollar worth it.

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5. CPFK Calming Collar for Dogs

The CPFK Calming Collar for Dogs is a long-lasting product, reaching up to 60 days of use. It can likewise be used for all dog breeds, making it an excellent long-term pick for any dog.

Pheromones are used to create a soothing effect, and it uses your dog’s body heat to activate, releasing the pheromones only after it is secured around your dog’s neck. As a bonus, it is waterproof, meaning the pheromones will not be diminished after your dog takes a swim.

Some pet owners report that this collar is prone to popping off after some activity, so be sure to monitor it while your dog is out and about.

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6. Sentry Good Behavior Calming Collar

Sentry’s Good Behavior Calming Collar is suitable for all dog breeds, as long as their neck is less than 23 inches. It is an adjustable collar, allowing you to customize it to the right size for your individual pup. Pheromones are used to soothe your dog, reducing stress-related behaviors such as chewing, barking, or biting.

Pet owners who have used Sentry’s calming collar mentioned that the collar was less durable than they had hoped. The pheromones are also not effective when wet, and an accidental splash in a puddle may hinder the collar’s effectiveness.

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7. TCLLKA Calming Pheromones Collar

TCLLKA’s Calming Pheromones Collar is a long-lasting option for all breeds. The collar is adjustable, allowing for a range of customization, and it is waterproof. It is a cost-effective option as well since it’s more affordable than most of the competition.

A combination of pheromones and essential oils provides a soothing effect. Some pet owners complain that the essential oils create an overpowering smell that bothers them. If you think the scent of essential oils will bother you, TCLLKA may not be the right fit for you.

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8. Premium Care Calming Collar

Premium Care’s Calming Collar is a drug-free product that is perfect for any size of dog. The adjustable collar allows you to personalize the collar’s size to meet the needs of your dog. Likewise, this collar utilizes pheromones to comfort your pet and reduce stress-related behaviors. It is a long-lasting solution, providing you with up to 60 days of calming effects.

Pet owners reported that the collar produced an overwhelming smell. The aroma will be something to keep in mind when making a decision since the long-lasting collar can emit scents for 2 months.

 

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Calming Collars for Dogs

Now that you have familiarity with the options, which should you choose? Here are some factors to think about to help you make a decision.

Does Your Dog Need a Calming Collar?

The first question you should ask yourself is, does my dog even need a calming collar?

Chances are, if you are doing research on calming collars, the answer is yes. But if you want some more transparent validation, think about the reasons calming collars are used.

Calming collars are generally used to reduce stress-related behaviors. These behaviors include chewing, scratching, barking, urinating, and other potentially destructive actions. If your dog is frequently exhibiting signs of stress, a calming collar could be a great solution.

If your dog has anxiety, fears, or phobias, a calming collar could also be beneficial. Many stress-related behaviors are symptoms of anxiety. The soothing effects of a calming collar could help your dog manage their anxiety.

Regular displays of aggression may also be a good indication that your dog could use a calming collar. Calming collars are designed to reduce this type of behavior, so if your dog has been aggressive lately, a calming collar may help.

However, calming collars cannot replace behavior modification training. If your dog is struggling with behavioral issues, a calming collar will only help to soothe agitation. The collar will not teach your dog new behaviors. If more extensive help is required, you should reach out to your vet to ask for their advice.

Consider Your Dog’s Size

The size of your dog will determine which products you can or cannot buy, as some of them are size-specific. For instance, if you have a large-breed dog, you cannot purchase a small-breed collar and expect it to work.

Likewise, you will want to know the size of your dog’s neck before making a purchase. Some collars state that they are suitable for all dog breeds, but only up to a certain point. As an example, a collar may claim to work for all dog breeds but only fit dogs with a neck under 23 inches. If your dog’s neck is larger than 23 inches, the collar will not work for you.

Use a measuring tape to measure your dog’s neck, leaving a bit of wiggle room for your fingers. This is so that you can grab the collar if needed and so that the collar will not choke your dog while it is on.

How Is the Calming Effect Induced?

How the calming effect works is another area to pay attention to. Many collars utilize pheromones to soothe dogs, but some use essential oils instead.

The pheromones likely will not bother you since they are odorless. However, the essential oils may be overpowering for you and your dog. If you want a collar with essential oils, you can see what other pet parents say about the specific brand. If none of them mention an overwhelming smell, the collar could be a good fit. Otherwise, you may want to stick to the pheromones.

 

Final Thoughts

These reviews examined some of the best calming dog collars on the market. The Adaptil On-the-Go Calming Collar was our best overall pick as a vet-recommended, drug-free solution. For an affordable choice, the Calm Paws collar attachment provides a convenient option for all dogs at a low price. If you are looking for something that really stands out, the collar and diffuser bundle option from ThunderEase provides constant soothing comfort. Overall, any of these collars can help an anxiety-prone canine.

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Featured Image Credit: Lynda McFaul, Shutterstock