Review Summary
We give Sentry Calming Collar for Cats a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The Sentry Calming Collar for cats works under the premise of elementary science. Simply put, mother cats produce a pheromone that makes their kittens calm. This reduces stress in the litter and improves efficiency. Plus, it also helps the kittens stay quiet and avoid attracting predators. These calming collars are infused with a synthetic version of this pheromone.
Many adult cats continue to react to this pheromone beyond kittenhood. It’s innate in their genetics. By tethering these pheromones to your cat with a collar, they follow your cat wherever they go and hopefully produce more calming behaviors. (Or that’s the idea, anyway.)
While many people blow these collars off as old wives’ tales, there is science to back them up. While these collars won’t completely change your cat’s behavior overnight, they can produce a calming effect.
Sentry Calming Collar for Cats: A Quick Look
- Easy to use
- Little to no side effects
- Cheaper than medication
- Stays with the cat
- Requires regular replacement
- Doesn’t work for all cats
Specifications
- Scent: Lavender (humans cannot smell pheromones)
- Safety: Breakaway collar
- Size: Up to 15” neck (trim the excess)
- Effective for: Marking, excessive meowing, scratching
- Longevity: One month
How the Sentry Calming Collar Works
As we’ve already explained, the sentry calming collar is infused with a synthetic version of a pheromone that cats produce naturally. Mother cats produce this pheromone to help keep their kittens calm and encourage rest. This sort of pheromone is vital for cats in the wild, as it prevents the kittens from being noisy and attracting predators.
Adult cats remain sensitive to this pheromone as they age—usually. Therefore, by introducing these pheromones to your cat, the idea is that your cat will react like a kitten—exhibiting more calm behaviors.
These collars have these pheromones infused into them. Once the collar is placed on your cat, your feline will always sense these pheromones. Similar to other pheromones, your cat likely doesn’t consciously notice these. It’s a subconscious effect. The collar likely works by making your cat feel calmer, though your cat won’t consciously react to the scent.
Of course, we can’t ask your cat how these pheromones make them feel. However, they do seem to relax many felines.
So, Does It Work?
Most of the time. Most felines will react to these pheromones to some extent. However, exactly how well they work for your specific cat varies. Some cats will react more than others due to temperament or genetics. Cats that have a more laidback personality may have a more significant reaction to these collars, while more high-strung cats may still be high-strung. (Conversely, the cats that need the extra calm may not be the best candidates for this collar.)
Furthermore, while most cats are affected by these hormones, not all cats are—some cats may not show much difference once the collar is put on.
Even if the collar does have an effect, sometimes it isn’t enough to handle a cat’s anxiety. The pheromones only work so well. If a cat’s anxiety is very high, it likely won’t be enough by itself. In these cases, we highly recommend speaking to your vet about stronger options.
Timing
The pheromones are embedded in the collar. Each collar comes with a powder on it. This powder is not the pheromones themselves but a layer that keeps the pheromones sealed in the collar until it is put on a cat. Once the collar is on the cat, the movement will start knocking the powder off. You can also help it by bending the collar gently before placing it on your cat.
Most of the powder will fall off after the first 24 hours. Don’t try to scrape it off, as you may damage the pheromone layer underneath.
Once the powder is mostly off, your cat will be able to sense the pheromones (subconsciously). At this point, there may be very fast behavioral changes. However, as the cat gets more entrenched in the pheromones, the changes may become even more noticeable. Some cats react right away, while others usually take a bit longer.
Either way, the collar reaches its full effectiveness about a week after being put on your feline. At that point, you’ll be able to tell if the collar is working or not.
This collar isn’t made to be taken on and off. For maximum effectiveness, it needs to remain on your feline constantly. This is a long-term solution to anxiety and stress—not something you only use for one stressful event.
Each collar will need to be replaced monthly. At this point, the pheromones will no longer be present.
FAQ
Do Sentry Calming Collars Work?
Yes and no. While there is science to back these collars up, cats will react differently. Furthermore, while the pheromones can calm your cat down, they may not be enough for very stressful situations or high-strung cats.
How Fast Does the Sentry Calming Collar Work?
The pheromones can be detected by the cat right away. Therefore, changes may occur very shortly after the collar is on. However, the effectiveness will build as your cat wears it. Most of the effects will occur over a week or two. Still, some cats may require up to a month for the changes to set in completely.
Is the Sentry Calming Collar Toxic?
No. There are practically no side effects for these collars. There is no toxic substance, and the pheromones are completely safe. The only possible side effects include rubbing from the collar itself.
What the Users Say
Some users were very pleased with this collar. It did seem to have a positive effect on their felines fairly quickly. Users said they used them on high-strung cats and for stressful situations, such as moving. Often, the changes happen pretty quickly. Many could notice when the collar needed to be changed, as their cat’s behavior quickly did a 180.
However, others found that these collars didn’t work for their felines. As we’ve stated, there will be a difference in susceptibility depending on the cat.
Conclusion
The Sentry Calming Collar for cats is a straightforward, easy solution for anxiety and behavioral problems. It works in a pretty straightforward manner by mirroring the natural calming pheromones cats produce. There is science to back these collars up, so it isn’t all just an old wives’ tale.
However, their effectiveness will vary from cat to cat. Some cats may react to this collar quickly and dramatically, while it may not affect other cats at all. Luckily, the side effects are minimal, and the collars are inexpensive. Therefore, many pet parents consider these collars worth a try, at the very least.
