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Pet anxiety can be difficult to manage. Whether your dog’s fear is sparked by thunder, separation from you, or something else, it’s heartbreaking to watch them tremble and pace—or turn to destructive behavior. Dog calming collars are a popular solution because of both their availability and affordability. They’re designed to soothe anxious pups with calming aromas and pheromones, and many veterinarians and pet parents have seen positive changes as a result.
That said, calming collars don’t work on all dogs or all kinds of anxiety, and mixed reviews make them hard to shop for. We’ve found calming collars are a good option for milder cases of anxiety and as a first step in a larger plan. But pet parents with serious cases of anxiety on their hands should consider veterinarian-prescribed medication or behavioral intervention.
To help you find the calming collar that’s most likely to work for your particular pup, we’ve dug into the ratings, talked to vets, and rounded up a few of the best calming dog collars for anxiety that we could find.
- Most Versatile: Sentry Dog Calming Collar
- Vet-Recommended: Adaptil Dog Calming Pheromone Collar
- Best for Puppies: Adaptil Junior Calming Collar
- Best Value: Tcllka Calming Collar for Dogs
- Fan Favorite: ThunderEase Calming Collar
- Best for Situational Use: Calm Paws Dog Caring Collar
Most Versatile: Sentry Lavendar and Chamomile Dog Calming Collar
The Sentry Good Behavior collar relies on pheromones to calm pups, and it boosts those effects with a lavender and chamomile scent. While some reviewers saw no effects (or the effects were short-lived), other users experienced much better results. More than half of the current reviews come in at four or five stars, and pet parents who rave about the collar observed a remarkable difference in their pups.
Highlights:
- Pheromone-based with additional lavender and chamomile scents
- Sized to fit a variety of dogs from small to extra large—just trim any excess
- Each collar lasts 30 days before needing to be replaced
- Comes in packs of one and three for up to 90 days of calm or multi-dog households
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Vet-Recommended: Adaptil Dog Calming Pheromone Collar
The Adaptil Calm Collar is a go-to resource for veterinarian Dr. Linda Simon, one of the experts we consulted to learn more about calming collars. While one of our Rover reviewers wasn’t impressed with the feel or the effects of the collar, other pet parents had more success. Some pet parents did note that the collar takes time to work—even as much as a month. For one reviewer, the collar was almost too effective; they began using it only as needed with their spunky pup.
Highlights:
- Pheromone-based calming
- Comes in two sizes: small and medium/large
- Each collar lasts 30 days before needing to be replaced
- One collar in each pack
Best for Puppies: Adaptil Junior Calming Collar
Being a puppy is hard work, and it can be stressful to experience new things every day. Exposure and training are key, but some pups may need a little extra help along the way. For those pups, this collar is a mini version of the Adaptil collar noted above. It uses the same pheromone-based technology but is geared toward young dogs. Top reviews particularly noted how the collar helps pups settle in at bedtime when they’re alone.
Highlights:
- Pheromone-based calming
- Suited for puppies up to 35 pounds
- Each collar lasts 30 days before needing to be replaced
- One collar included in each pack
Best Value: Tcllka Calming Collar for Dogs
Because calming dog collars need to be replaced every three to four weeks, the price can add up. This calming collar comes in a pack of three and at a much lower per-collar price point than the other options on our list. Even better, each collar lasts up to 60 days—and the collar boasts one of the highest ratings in our roundup, with nearly two-thirds of reviewers giving it five stars.
The collar uses pheromones as well as essential oils of lavender and chamomile for a dual calming effect.
Highlights:
- Pheromone-based with lavender and chamomile essential oils
- One adjustable size to fit a range of dogs
- Each collar lasts up to 60 days before needing to be replaced
- Comes in a pack of three for up to 180 days of calm
Fan Favorite: ThunderEase Calming Collar
Coming from the makers of the Thundershirt, the ThunderEase Calming Collar uses Adaptil’s calming pheromone technology. That does mean that this collar is probably not that different than the Adaptil-branded collar listed above. However, because many pet parents already know (and love) the ThunderWorks brand, that loyalty earns this collar its own spot on the list. As with many other calming dog collars, the ThunderEase lasts up to four weeks—and when it does work, reviewers note a significant difference in their dog.
Highlights:
- Pheromone-based
- Comes in two sizes: small and large
- Each collar lasts 30 days before needing to be replaced
- Available in single or two-collar packs
Buy on Amazon Buy on Chewy Buy on Petco
Best for Situational Use: Calm Paws Dog Caring Collar
If your pup is recovering from surgery or an injury, this soft collar with natural essential oils provides a nice alternative to the typical cone of shame. Strong outer material holds the scented disk with calming oils to help soothe your dog while they heal. Reviewers like that it’s more comfortable than the standard plastic option and our gentler on their walls and furniture. Others have noted that it’s helped calm down their hyperactive pups after surgery.
Highlights:
- Soft protective collar for injuries and post-surgery
- Inner scented disk has calming natural oils
- Adjustable via Velcro strips
- Available in five sizes
How We Chose Our Dog Calming Collars
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across retail platforms, and the advice of veterinary experts. We particularly considered collars that were personally recommended and those with the most positive reviews, acknowledging the mixed success rates of these products.
