Pheromone Collars for Dogs: Do They Work?

Reviewed by Brittany Kleszynski, DVM on 02/12/2025. Published on 02/12/2025

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If your dog struggles with anxiety, you probably want to do everything in your power to help them. One possible solution is fitting your dog with a pheromone collar — a special collar that releases calming pheromones for dogs, helping them cope with psychologically challenging events.

Pheromones are natural chemicals that send signals to your dog’s brain, influencing how they may behave or communicate with other dogs. For instance, dogs may emit pheromones through urine when they’re marking territory. Mother dogs also release a calming pheromone while nursing their puppies. This second type is known as a “dog appeasing pheromone.”

“I’m always super fascinated by the idea that animals perceive the world in ways that are completely foreign to us,” says Dr. David Haworth, a veterinarian and executive vice president at Embark Veterinary, a canine genomics and biotechnology company based in Boston. “And pheromones … are a huge area that our pets ‘see’ that we are just blind to.”

So, how do dog pheromone collars work? Let’s get into it.

What is a Pheromone Collar for Dogs?

Ideal for pups of any age or size, pheromone collars work by releasing a synthetic version of the dog-appeasing pheromone. Dogs detect this pheromone through their vomeronasal organ, or Jacobsen’s organ, which is located in their nasal cavity.

“In terms of the pheromone collars, they are using pheromones that release oxytocin and give more of a calming [effect] to dogs,” Dr. Haworth says.

In addition to collars, pheromone sprays and diffusers can be equally as effective, according to Dr. Haworth. “If you can spray or use collars for pheromones to help calm them down, then hopefully you have a better experience for that animal.” However, he adds, the pheromone collar has the added benefit of “going with the animal.”

Dog Pheromone Collar: Uses and Benefits

What are the potential benefits of using a pheromone collar for dogs? One clear advantage is that it can help calm a dog with anxiety.

Dr. Haworth says there is “strong evidence” showing that dogs who use pheromone collars exhibit reduced signs of anxiety, including lower heart rates and fewer anxiety-related behaviors. For instance, one study found that pheromone collars successfully reduced sound-induced fear and anxiety in Beagles. [1]

A dog collar with pheromones may also help lessen other behaviors like barking, chewing, or urine marking, but Dr. Haworth says it depends on the root cause of the behavior.

“If a dog is barking because [they’re] hardwired to bark, like a Beagle … you’re not going to get rid of that by making them a little calmer,” he explains. “On the other hand, if [they’re] barking because [they’re] reactive and…in a heightened state of anxiety, then sure, the collar could potentially help.”

Dr. Haworth says pheromone collars can be part of a long-term solution to helping dogs with anxiety. However, the collars may “lose their effect over time.”

Pet parents can also look for other solutions to help dogs with anxiety, such as playing classical music, putting them in ThunderShirts, and making their environment more secure and comforting.

“If I’m really concerned about my animal, then of course I’m going to try a bunch of things and see what works,” Dr. Haworth notes.

There are many different pheromone collars on the market, ranging in cost from about $17-$40. Here are a few examples:

Are Pheromone Collars Safe for Dogs?

According to Dr. Haworth, pheromone collars don’t have any side effects and are extremely safe for dogs. “They’re not pharmaceutical,” he explains. “It’s not like we’re giving them anxiolytic drugs. Essentially, we’re creating an artificial situation to tell them that others of their species have been in this situation, or [are] currently in that situation, and they’re fine.”

However, he adds that one potential downside to pheromone collars is that pet parents might use them as a “crutch” rather than address the reason behind a dog’s anxiety or other behavioral issue.

Not only that, but the collars aren’t going to work in every situation. “A dog may be mildly concerned around fireworks or thunderstorms, and you give [them] a pheromone collar and they’re fine, except for New Year’s Eve when fireworks are going off in the next door neighbor’s yard,” Dr. Haworth says.

He also suggests checking to make sure your dog won’t experience irritation or have a bad reaction to the pheromone collar before putting it on them. That said, adverse reactions to the pheromones themselves are pretty rare — it’s more likely that the structure of the collar itself may cause irritation.

Additionally, Dr. Haworth recommends always keeping an eye on your dog to make sure they’re not eating the collar. This can cause mild gastrointestinal upset including vomiting and diarrhea.

Do Dog Pheromone Collars Work? The Verdict

In short, yes, dog pheromone collars work. In fact, they can be a life-changing solution for anxious dogs, providing them with consistent calming comfort.

If you have any questions about pheromone collars and whether they’re the right fit for your dog, be sure to speak with your veterinarian.

Reference:

Landsberg GM, Beck A, Lopez A, Deniaud M, Araujo JA, Milgram NW. “Dog-appeasing pheromone collars reduce sound-induced fear and anxiety in beagle dogs: a placebo-controlled study.” Vet Rec. 2015 Sep 12;177(10):260. doi: 10.1136/vr.103172. Epub 2015 Aug 26.