Best Collars For Sensitive Skin | Hypoallergenic Options

Finding the right collar for a dog with sensitive skin can be a challenge for pet owners. We wrote this guide to help simplify choosing the best collar for your pup. There are tons of collars designed for dogs with sensitive skin.

The question is…

What material and design features should you look for?

What To Look For In Sensitive-Skin Friendly Collar

• Hypoallergenic Material: Hypoallergenic material can reduce the risk of allergic reactions and irritation. They’re gentle on the skin, free of harsh chemicals, and low friction. Options include leather, neoprene, biothane, silk, and hemp.
• Breathable: Breathable dog collars allow air to circulate freely, reducing moisture buildup and heat retention. Lightweight and flexible mesh or perforated fabrics promote ventilation.
• Gentle On The Skin: Rigid, frayed collars can cause discomfort and sores. Durable materials are essential because frayed collars can exacerbate skin irritation and lead to infections. Opt for collars made from high-quality materials that maintain their smoothness over time.
• Adjustable Fit: Collars that are too tight, loose, wide, or thin can cause rashes. Tight collars irritate the skin through constant friction. The edges of a too-wide collar may hit the skin instead of lying flat.
• Padding (Optional): Padded collars can distribute pressure evenly around the neck area.

Types Of Collars For Sensitive Skin

We will present a case for six different types of collars and two other solutions. There really is no “best” option, but we tend to lean towards leather dog collars.

Leather Collars

Leather collars are made of natural materials that are great for sensitive skin. Quality leather collars are durable and timeless, meaning they adapt well to the preferred fit over time. Many dog owners find that leather is the gentlest material on skin and coats.

Rolled Leather

Rolled leather is a good option for dogs with long coats that lose hair where their collar flattens/rubs in. Because they are thinner, less skin is in contact with the collar, allowing it to glide more easily over their fur. These collars also do a good job of protecting their neck against the buckle.

Matting is caused by friction, and the neck areas easily matt with nylon breakable materials.

Caution: If your dog is a puller, we recommend avoiding rolled leather collars (at least for walks) because they pull on a specific area.

Neoprene Collars

Neoprene collars are a popular choice because they’re soft, lightweight, and breathable. Neoprene is a less “chemically” alternative thanks to the fact that it’s a latex alternative in the medical industry.

Biothane Collars

We’ve found biothane collars to be very easy on the skin, thus less irritating. Biothane material is water-resistant and stink-proof, meaning it’s built to last through walks in the rain and muddy play dates.

If your dog enjoys getting dirty, you need a collar that’s easy to clean and durable. One because you’ll be cleaning it often and two because collars that frey easily can irritate the skin.

Felt Collars

Sewing felt into a dog collar can be an excellent solution for dogs with sensitive skin. Felt is soft and provides a comfortable, non-irritating surface against the dog’s neck, helping to prevent chafing and rashes.

Felt is also hypoallergenic, reducing the risk of allergic reactions.

Silk Collars

Silk collars are an excellent choice for dogs with sensitive skin. Silk is gentle and reduces the risk of irritation and chafing. Breeds like Bulldogs, Boxers, and Shar Peis, prone to skin problems, benefit significantly from silk collars.

Silk collars are also popular in the Poodle community to prevent coat damage. We don’t sell silk collars, but look up “poodle show collar” or” protective poodle collar.” They are wide and silk-lined.

Satin is a cost-effective alternative to silk. However, silk and satin are delicate and difficult to clean, so we wouldn’t recommend wearing them outside.

Martingale Collars

Martingale collars can be an effective tool for dogs with sensitive skin. Too-tight collars are one of the top causes of dog collar rash and other skin irritations. You may feel the need to tighten your dog’s collar either after a successful back-out or if your dog constantly pulls.

Although tempting, this is a bad idea.

Constant pressure on the neck is uncomfortable and can cause permanent damage to your dog’s neck.

It can also harm them psychologically if they establish wearing their collar and going for walks as a punishment ritual.

A better solution is a properly adjusted martingale collar. This type of dog collar cannot be backed out like a traditional collar. We suggest investing in either a collar or a harness for your dog if it has sensitive skin.

Harness

As an almost last resort, consider a harness for your dog. Harnesses are great for not just dogs with sensitive skin, but dogs with weak necks and breathing issues. If you’ve looked everywhere for a collar that doesn’t hurt their skin, you may not be the issue.

With our harnesses, you can add custom engraved identification.

T-Shirt

The neck isn’t the only area that a dog can feel skin irritation and allergies. The armpit and belly area also tends to become affected by rashes, itching urges and allergies. Cotton shirts to wear at home and underneath a harness can help with skin issues.

Mimi Green sells custom dog clothes made of 65% renewable cotton.

Understanding Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin usually presents as red, inflamed skin. Dogs with sensitive skin can present itchiness, flaking, and hair loss.

The #1 cause of skin irritation around the neck for dogs is a collar that’s too tight. When a collar is too tight, the contact points can dig into the dog’s skin, causing friction. This friction can lead to skin irritation and, eventually, bigger issues caused by exposure.

Other Causes Of Dog Collar Rash

• Allergies: Various conditions caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system to typically harmless environmental substances. Possible allergens include metals such as nickel, cheap leather, abrasive webbing, and low-quality PVC.
• Leash Pulling: If your dog isn’t leash trained, constant pulling can cause extreme irritation. Eventually a collar can rub their neck raw. In this case, consider a harness.
• Fleas: Fleas can cause itchiness, skin infections, and allergic reactions. They can also transmit diseases and parasites, like tapeworms, impacting overall health and comfort.
• Fungal/Bacterial Infections: Moisture or shampoo residue trapped under the collar can cause fungal or bacterial infection. For example, Malassezia Pachydermatis is a yeast that grows naturally on fur.
• Acute Moist Dermatitis: Also known as hot spots, are inflamed, red, and moist skin lesions in dogs. They are caused by excessive licking, scratching, or chewing due to allergies, infections, or irritants.
• Endocrine Disorders: Endocrine disorders are hormonal imbalances affecting glands like the thyroid, adrenal, and pancreas. Common causes include genetics, tumors, or immune-mediated damage.
• Electronic Collars: If worn for too long, electronic collars can cause pressure necrosis or pressure sores.
• Pyoderma: Pyoderma is a bacterial skin infection in dogs characterized by pustules, redness, and itching. It is often caused by allergies, parasites, or underlying health issues.

Fact: Some breeds have worse skin issues than others. Pit bulls, Boxers, Bulldogs, and Shar Peis are on the top of ths lost to have a lot of skin irritations and reactions.

Collar Fitting

1. Wrap measuring tape around your dog’s neck and get a snug measurement. Or, use any household item, mark it with a pen, and compare the distance covered with a ruler.
2. Collars tend to lie at the bottom of the neck, so measuring there will give you the most accurate measurement.
3. Add about two inches to your measurements for the right collar size.
4. Choose your Mimi Green dog collar based on your pup’s neck size.