4 Cat Calming Collar Side Effects You Need to Know (Vet Reviewed)

Cats can be anxious or scared animals, especially in stressful situations. There are lots of things that people rely on to help manage their cat’s anxiety, and one of the most popular is a calming collar.

These collars are sold over the counter and usually use synthetic pheromones to help calm your cat.

Before putting one of these collars on your cat, it’s important to understand any potential side effects of using them. Otherwise, you may notice a problem with your cat and not understand the cause.

Thankfully, there are very few reported issues with calming collars, and none of the synthetic pheromones used have shown any negative side effects.

The 4 Possible Side Effects of Cat Calming Collars

1. Skin Irritation

This is the most common side effect seen with calming collars. Usually, this occurs when the collar is put on too tightly, causing rubbing against the skin and coat. This can result in hair loss, skin redness, and potentially a mild rash.

The skin irritation associated with these collars is extremely mild, and although the most common side effect, it is still an uncommon problem. This is most likely to occur in kitties with existing skin issues.

2. Fear

Fear is not specifically associated with calming collars but with collars in general. Cats that are not used to wearing a collar may have a fear response when the collar is first put on them. This can cause them to run and hide, scratch, or even become aggressive.

For some cats, it will just take patience, time, and positive reinforcement with petting, treats, and soothing talk to help them get used to wearing a collar. Some cats may completely refuse and panic to the point of causing injury when attempted. The latter would likely do better with a different type of calming intervention.

3. Choking

Any type of collar poses some risk of choking. Breakaway collars are usually the lowest risk, and some calming collars do come in a breakaway design. Most of them do not, though, so you’ll need to use your best judgment when using these calming collars on your cat.

For cats that do a lot of climbing and spending time outdoors, a calming collar is likely not going to be appropriate or safe for them, along with likely not being effective either. For most indoor cats, calming collars are safe for them to wear, but you should make sure not to put them on too tight.

4. No Effect

While this is the opposite of a side effect, it is a reaction that you should be prepared for. Calming collars are extremely effective for some cats while being completely ineffective for others. There is no guarantee that your cat will experience calmness from the use of a calming collar.

For cats that have lots of fear and anxiety, the collar likely needs to be used in conjunction with other interventions, like pheromone plug-ins, calming shirts, calming supplements, prescription medication, or creating a less stressful environment.

If your cat doesn’t experience relief from anxiety through the use of a calming collar, it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your cat. Just like some people don’t experience effective relief from some medications while others do, cats are the same way.

Types of Calming Collars

Conclusion

Calming collars can be a great option to help your cat out with their anxiety, especially if you need something to add to interventions you are already using.

Make sure to use these collars as directed to make them as safe and comfortable as possible for your kitty. They have a low risk for any type of negative side effects if used properly. If you do think your cat is having any difficulty with the collar, though, then you may need to try a different type of product.

• Related Read: Do Calming Collars Work for Cats? 

Featured Image Credit: MarinCa, Shutterstock