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However, not all feline calming collars are created equal. We’ve extensively researched each of the best cat calming collars on the market.
And the result? Our favorite – the best cat calming collar is the Sentry Calming Collar for Cats.
How We Choose
If we recommend a product it’s because we have done the research on it and we believe it has the ability to help you and your cat. In our research, some products have been tested directly by us, while others have been researched using other methods, including reviewing comments from users online to ensure we have provided good coverage of what is working well for cats. As a team of qualified veterinarians, animal welfare experts, and cat parents, you can be assured we only choose the best products.
Key Features of the Sentry Calming Collar For Cats
Sentry has long been a market leader in feline calming technology. Their latest cat collar is no exception. Here are the key features that set the Sentry Calming Collar apart from its competitors:
- Good Behavior technology – at the heart of the Sentry Calming Collar is its Good Behavior pheromone technology. Rather than simply releasing pleasing smells into the air, the scientists at Sentry have created a synthetic pheromone that mimics the reassuring scent a mother cat gives out around her young kittens. This invokes a sense of calm and security in your cat. Please note, no mother cats were harmed in the creation of these pheromones!
- 15 inch flexible collar – it can be tricky to work out which size calming cat collar you should buy for your fur baby. If you buy one that is too tight, you risk either cutting off their air supply or having it ripped off if your cat accidentally snags it on something. On the other hand, if you buy a calming cat collar that is too big, it will either fall off or be too far away from your cat’s nose to work effectively. The Sentry Calming Collar is flexible so it fits cats with a neck size up to 15 inches. This means it will fit even the chubbiest and fluffiest of fluff balls. Plus, you can readjust the collar to fit your cat as it grows from a kitten to an adult.
- Human-centered fragrance – finally, many calming collars for cats release pheromone scents that don’t particularly appeal to humans. While the overall purpose of the collar is to provide calming scents for your cat, the smell will pervade your home, especially if you have an indoor only cat. The Sentry Calming Collar releases scents that are attractive to both cats and humans, with a soothing combination of lavender and chamomile. These two scents are often found in relaxing candles and essential oil combinations, so you’ll find yourself benefitting from a similar relaxing experience to your cat.
Using the Sentry Calming Collar
To help your cat get the very best out of the Sentry Cat Calming Collar, there are a few guidelines you should follow.
Firstly, if your cat isn’t used to wearing a collar, you should start by putting it on them for short periods of time. This will get them used to having something around their neck, as well as helping them adjust to the feelings induced by the pheromones.
To begin with, you should only do these trial runs when your cat is already in a calm state of mind. This will help them associate the collar with feeling relaxed, meaning that they’ll automatically start to calm down whenever you put it on. There is no point introducing your cat to a new collar when they are already stressed out as this will just make the situation worse.
Secondly, you need to consider how often you will have your cat wear the collar. Sentry has designed their calming cat collar to gradually release the Good Behavior pheromones over 30 days. Tests show that it retains its effectiveness for this entire time. However, you might feel uncomfortable having your cat wear the collar for this long. You may want to give your kitty a break from the pheromones and this is perfectly fine. Just be aware that the 30 day “timer” starts as soon as the collar is opened for the first time. From this point, the pheromones will continue to be released no matter whether your cat is wearing it or not. You can always leave it out around the house to allow the pheromones to permeate further for a less intense effect.
Finally, you will need to take care of your cats’ Sentry Calming Collar. This device is not designed to get wet, so you’ll want to take it off if you need to bathe your cat or if they go outside on a rainy day. Water permeates the collar and reduces its ability to release pheromones. So, it’s important to fully dry out the collar (and your cat!) if it ever gets wet.
You’ll also need to stop using the collar if your cat gets a cut or a lesion on its neck because the chemicals it contains can be harmful to raw cat skin. Taking good care of your Sentry Calming Collar will make sure that you get the full 30 days of usage.
What to Look for When Buying the Sentry Calming Collar for Cats
One of the key considerations you need to make when looking at the different options for a calming cat collar is the price. Fortunately, Sentry Collars are competitively priced, especially considering the fact that you’ll only need to buy 12 to get a full year’s worth of relaxation. If you have multiple cats, it’s worth picking up one per animal because the range of the pheromone release is limited.
Our Final Thoughts on the Sentry Calming Collar
When reviewing the cat calming collars on the market, we found that because the Good Behavior technology in the Sentry Calming Collar mimics the calming pheromones released by mother cats, the collar is flexible enough to fit any neck size, you will get a pleasant scent dispersed through your home and a calm kitty, and you get this all without breaking the bank, that the Sentry Calming Collar for cats was easily the stand out collar. And that’s why it is our number one pick. We hope it works as well for you as it does for us.
Author
Carla Shaik, Chief Editor and Writer, BSC Animal Behavior and Welfare
Our resident animal welfare expert, Carla Shaik has always had a passion for writing and educating the public on topics that really matter, especially cat welfare. Since graduating with a BSC in Animal Behavior and Welfare, Carla has written for a national cat magazine for eight years and more recently branched out into becoming a freelance writer full-time...
