It isn’t uncommon for dogs to have anxiety problems. Many dogs suffer from anxiety, whether it comes from being alone or loud noises. While there are many steps you can take to counteract your dog’s anxiety, having a little bit of help is never a bad thing.

For disruptive anxiety that is not bad enough for prescription-strength medication, you may want to try calming collars. These collars are made with pheromones and herbs that may help calm your dog. Dogs react to these collars differently, and not every collar is made with the same stuff. Therefore, it may take a few tries to find a collar that works for your dog.

To help you on this quest, we’ve reviewed our favorite calming collars for dogs. These include various ingredients and styles, allowing you to choose the best option for your canine.

A Glance at Our Top Picks (2026 Update)

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		ThunderEase Calming Collar for Dogs	Inexpensive Pheromone-based Constantly works	Check Price
Best Value		Sentry Good Behavior Calming Collar for Dogs	Includes pheromones and lavender Fits most dogs Includes three collars per pack	Check Price
		GIOVARA Calming Collar for Dogs	Fits all dog sizes Waterproof Pheromone-based	Check Price
		Calming Collar for Dogs 4 Pack	4-pack offers great value Waterproof design Fits all dog sizes	Check Price
		FILIO Calming Aromatherapy Collar for Dogs	Sedative and drug free Fully waterproof Fits all dog sizes	Check Price

The 5 Best Calming Collars for Dogs

1. ThunderEase Calming Collar for Dogs – Best Overall

Our favorite collar, the ThunderEase Calming Collar for Dogs features pheromones to help calm your dog. These are the same pheromones given off by nursing mothers, which help keep their puppies quiet and calm. Therefore, the effect is often similar—even after your dog grows up. Plus, pheromones have a very low chance of side effects.

For this reason, we often consider pheromone-based collars better than herb-based collars.

We also like that this collar is less expensive than much of the competition—it is one of the cheapest options on the market. However, it works very similarly to more expensive options. For this reason, we consider it the best calming collar for dogs for the money.

This collar releases pheromones for 30 days after it is opened. These pheromones are continuously released, as your dog is affected constantly. However, this collar cannot get wet, which can be a problem for some dog owners.

2. Sentry Good Behavior Calming Collar for Dogs – Best Value

While the Sentry Good Behavior Calming Collar for Dogs is much more expensive than other options, one pack comes with three different collars. Therefore, you’re getting more for your money. Each collar only lasts 30 days. However, since you’re getting three, each pack lasts 90 days.

Buying in bulk is great if you know your dog likes this collar. However, it can be an issue if you want to try a collar out. Spending more only to find out that your dog doesn’t actually like the collar can be a huge letdown.

This collar works similarly to the other options we’ve discussed. It includes pheromones that mirror a nursing mother. Therefore, it can work to calm your dog pretty effectively. It also includes lavender, which may help as well. However, this lavender can be detected by a human nose, and it can get a bit strong.

3. GIOVARA Calming Collar for Dogs

The GIOVARA Calming Collar for Dogs comes as a 4-pack, which makes it a solid value option for owners who already know their dog responds well to pheromone-based collars. Each collar is individually packaged and releases pheromones for up to 60 days, activated by your dog’s body heat. The formula uses bionic pheromone technology combined with chamomile and lavender essential oils to mimic the natural pheromones released by a nursing mother dog, helping reduce anxiety from separation, thunderstorms, travel, and vet visits.

The collar is fully waterproof, which means it does not need to be removed during baths or rainy walks, and the flexible TPE material can be trimmed down from its 25-inch length to fit dogs of any size. However, like most collars that include essential oils, the scent can be quite strong when first opened, and some owners may find it a bit much. The effects also tend to peak in the first few weeks rather than lasting evenly across the full 60-day window, so it may work best when changed more frequently for highly anxious dogs.

4. Calming Collar for Dogs 4 Pack

The Calming Collar for Dogs 4 Pack is a budget-friendly option that comes with four individually packaged collars, giving you up to 240 days of coverage in a single purchase. Each collar uses pheromone technology to mimic the natural calming signals released by a nursing mother dog, which can help reduce anxiety, excessive barking, and destructive behavior caused by thunderstorms, travel, vet visits, and separation. The collar is made from flexible TPE material and adjusts up to 25 inches, so you can trim it down to fit dogs of any size.

One of the standout features here is the waterproof design, meaning the collar does not need to be removed during baths or rainy walks, and the pheromones continue releasing uninterrupted. It is activated by your dog’s body heat and can begin working within an hour of being put on. However, like many collars in this category, the effects tend to decline before the full 60-day mark, so you may find yourself replacing it more frequently for highly anxious dogs. The essential oil blend included alongside the pheromones may also be too strong-smelling for some owners right out of the package.

5. FILIO Calming Aromatherapy Collar for Dogs

The FILIO Calming Aromatherapy Collar for Dogs takes a slightly different approach by combining pheromone technology with an aromatherapy formula that releases soothing ingredients continuously throughout the day. It is designed to help dogs stay relaxed during loud noises, travel, grooming, vet visits, crate time, and changes in routine. The collar is made from 100% waterproof materials, so it does not need to be removed during baths or rainy walks, and it adjusts to 25 inches in length to fit small, medium, and large breeds with a simple trim.

The formula is free from sedatives and harmful chemicals, which makes it a reasonable option for owners who want a gentler, non-pharmaceutical approach. However, since this comes as a single collar rather than a multi-pack, the ongoing cost can add up if you need continuous long-term use. Like other collars that include aromatherapy oils, the scent can be noticeable to humans and may be too strong for some dogs with sensitivities. The effects may also vary depending on the individual dog, as results are not guaranteed across all breeds and anxiety types.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Calming Dog Collar

At first glance, choosing a calming collar for your dog may seem pretty simple. However, it is often anything but simple. These collars are relatively new inventions, so they tend to differ greatly. There isn’t yet an industry standard that most collars follow.

Furthermore, the differences aren’t always labeled very well. A collar may say that it lasts for 60 days. However, what the box doesn’t say is that the effects begin declining at 30 days.

We’ll discuss all of these details below to help you choose the best collar for your canine.

Do Calming Collars for Dogs Actually Work?

One of the biggest concerns about these collars is often that they seem a bit “scammy.” Many pet parents are very suspicious of a collar that claims to calm their pets almost instantaneously. That sounds a bit too good to be true.

However, there is much research backing up these collars. For the most part, these collars work because of pheromones. These pheromones are recognized by dogs and only dogs. Humans can’t even detect them, so many quality collars will appear completely odorless to us.

To calm dogs, these collars contain pheromones that mirror those given off by mother dogs. These pheromones influence behavior, which makes them an effective tool against anxiety and stress. The pheromones released by most of these collars are called dog appeasing pheromones because they make dogs “happy.”

However, different collars will have different concentrations. Some may even use different synthetic forms of the pheromone. You can see the pheromone percentage on most packages, though this isn’t always the case.

While these collars haven’t been studied extensively, the research that has come out is promising. For instance, researchers found that these collars may help socialization, reduce separation anxiety, and reduce fear.

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your pet, seek veterinary advice for the best course of action.

If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's our online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your dog — all at an affordable price!

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But What About Essential Oils?

You’ll probably notice that most collars we reviewed include essential oils of some sort. These essential oils are often advertised as calming dogs and come in recognizable scents like lavender. However, there isn’t any evidence that these essential oils work on dogs as intended. (As a side note, some essential oils are toxic to dogs, so essential oils for people and animals are different.)

Therefore, while these may have an effect, we don’t know. We do know that some can be irritating to dogs with sensitive skin.

For these reasons, we do not recommend collars solely based on essential oils. There just isn’t any evidence that these will work. However, there are quite a few collars that include pheromones and essential oils. This double-pronged approach does contain pheromones, so we do know that they will be at least somewhat helpful.

Features to Consider

When choosing a calming dog collar, there are quite a few features you may want to keep in mind. On top of the ingredients you need to consider, you’ll also have to look at things like fit. Let’s take a look at some of these features.

Longevity

You’ll need to regularly change any calming collar you purchase, whether it contains pheromones or essential oils. However, the longevity of each collar does differ a bit. Some don’t last very long, while others last quite a long time. Needing to change the collar often will lead to you spending more money over time, and it can get quite annoying too.

However, the listed duration isn’t always correct. While some collars may advertise that they work up to 60 days, that doesn’t mean they are equally effective across those 60 days. Usually, the pheromone concentration begins to decline before that.

Sometimes, collars list the effectiveness as how long it takes for all the pheromones to run out. Others list longevity as the time until the effects start declining.

Therefore, a 60-day and a 30-day collar may last the same time.

Proper Fit

A collar that doesn’t stay on won’t be very helpful. Therefore, the collar must fit. Not only is this important for your dog’s comfort, but it can also be a vital safety consideration. A collar that is too big can get hung on things more easily or allow the dog to gnaw on it.

Thankfully, most of these collars are extremely adjustable. Often, they are made out of a silicone material that can be cut, which allows you to trim off the excess. However, those that don’t often have sizing charts and different sizes available. Be sure to measure your dog’s neck and follow the manufacturer’s sizing instructions.

DAP Concentration

As we’ve stated, different collars have different concentrations of the dog appeasing pheromone. As you’d expect, a higher concentration often means more effectiveness. However, this isn’t always the case, as quality and longevity should also be considered. (A potent collar won’t be helpful if the pheromone rubs off in a few days.)

Usually, the concentration is found on the packaging or in the description.

Smell

Many collars include essential oils, which are detectable by humans. In this case, you will notice that the collar smells like lavender or whatever other oil is used. Sometimes, this scent isn’t strong and tends to wear off quickly. However, at other times, it can be extremely strong and even cause headaches in those susceptible.

Not everyone will care much about what the collar smells like. However, for those who don’t like strong smells, what the collar smells like can be important.

Do Calming Collars for Dogs Have Side Effects?

It depends on the collar. Generally, those with pheromones do not have a particularly high risk of side effects. There aren’t any known side effects of pheromones, so these collars are extremely safe. However, these collars can make dogs much calmer (and lazy), though this is the point of the collar. For dogs that are obese or overweight, this can be an issue. It’s recommended to ensure that your dog continues to get the right amount of exercise when wearing these collars.

Essential oils can be a bit more troublesome as they can be more irritating. Some dogs react to the lavender and chamomile essential oils used on many collars, so you may want to choose a pheromone-only option if your canine has sensitive skin.

Of course, collars can also cause skin irritation due to physical abrasions. However, you can prevent this by sizing your dog’s collar well. Still, some collars are rougher than others, which can cause skin issues even if your dog doesn’t react to the ingredients.

How Long Does It Take for a Dog Calming Collar to Work?

Technically, the pheromones should start working as soon as they come in contact with your dog. Your dog only needs to smell these pheromones for their behavior to shift. However, it may take as long as a week for this shift to occur. For this reason, you’ll often know if the collar is going to work or not after a week of use.

However, there is no reason to put this collar on your dog before a potentially stressful event. If you purchase the collar for a particular event, placing it on your dog the day before is often long enough for the effects to begin.

Once you put the collar on, it is recommended that you leave the collar on. These collars are meant to stay on your dog constantly—not be taken on and off.

Dogs will relapse after the collar runs out of pheromones or if it is removed. Sometimes, their behaviors can become worse for a bit as they re-adjust to not having a collar. If the collar works, we don’t recommend stopping use unless the stressful event has passed.

Our Selection Process For Calming Collars For Dogs

To create this buyer’s guide, our writing team and editorial staff checked customer reviews, brand reputation, and veterinary approval ratings to present the calming collars we think should be highlighted for our readers. In some cases, we conducted hands-on testing along with seeing how much our dogs liked the calming collars. All these factors were considered when selecting these listed calming collars to help you make the best purchase for your furry friends.

Why Trust Dogster?

Since 2004, Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online, which means we have a lot of experience with calming collars. We take pride in promoting the well-being of all dogs—from toy breeds to giant canines. Our in-house veterinarians, writers, and editors examine each product on our lists, ensuring its quality and reputation. As pet owners ourselves, we only want the best for our furry companions. At Dogster, we are transparent about the products we promote. The nutritional information, overall brand reputation, and customer reviews are all considered for these lists. We inform you how we want to be informed.

Conclusion

Calming dog collars can adjust a dog’s behavior if it is driven by stress and anxiety. Science backs the use of pheromone-based collars, which we have suggested throughout this article.

Our favorite calming collar for dogs is the ThunderEase Calming Collar for Dogs. This collar is much less expensive than other options, constantly works and is easy to size. Our best value pick is the Sentry Good Behavior Collar, as it comes in a pack of three which means you’ll get 90 days of product.

Hopefully, one of the calming collars on this list fits your needs.

Featured Image Credit: Lynda McFaul, Shutterstock