Dog muzzles are meant to be comfortable for your dog and if you choose the right one, it will be. It’s important to note that they should only ever be used for short periods of time when a situation calls for one. For example, if your dog is prone to biting strangers and you intend to briefly visit someone they’re unfamiliar with. In this case, a muzzle may help to prevent a potential accident.
To help you find an ideal muzzle for your dog, we reviewed dozens of different options. We looked at design, materials, price point, and customer reviews to make your job easier. You want to be certain you are getting the best quality for your money and also the right style of muzzle for the comfort of your pooch. That’s why we narrowed down our results to the 5 top-rated dog muzzles.
The Trixie Muzzle Loop is a comfortable, nylon muzzle loop that’s designed for large and medium breeds. It’s made to be especially comfortable while being as functional as more sturdy muzzles. There is extra soft padding along the muzzle, and it’s made to withstand rough wear-and-tear.
The 5 Top-Rated Dog Muzzles
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Trixie Dog Muzzle | 4.0 |
| Runner Up | Birdwell Enterprises Plastic Dog Muzzle | 4.1 |
| Best Budget Buy | Coastal Pet Best Fit Mesh Dog Muzzle | 4.2 |
| Best Basket Dog Muzzle | BronzeDog Wire Basket Dog Muzzle | 4.1 |
| Best Short Snout Dog Muzzle | JYHY Short Snout Dog Muzzle |
4.1 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Our Top Pick: Trixie Muzzle Loop
The Trixie Muzzle Loop is ideal for large and medium breeds. The high-quality nylon material is designed with additional extra-soft padding for supreme comfort. The softer feel and less constricting design of the muzzle makes this a less intimidating option for dogs who are afraid of muzzles that fully cover their mouths.
Customers love that this muzzle leaves the dog enough freedom to pant, drink, and eat, but still inhibits their ability to bite. This muzzle can be a useful tool when used in moderation to train away your dog’s bad biting behavior. The style of the muzzle makes both the snout and neck straps fully adjustable, to ensure a proper fit. It wraps snugly around your dog’s muzzle and neck in a D-ring style to make control easier and more comfortable for your dog.
Trixie Muzzle Loop Key Features:
- Extra comfort padding
- Works well for medium to large dog breeds
- Great training tool
- Freedom of motion for the dog
Our Runner Up: Birdwell Enterprises Plastic Dog Muzzle
This dog muzzle may not look like the most appealing option aesthetically, but owners agree that Birdwell Enterprises offers a fantastic option for most medium and large breed dogs and is especially durable for aggressive chewers. Its unique design is exactly what makes this muzzle one of the top-rated on the market.
The muzzle is made entirely from heavy-duty plastic, with metal clasps. The all-plastic material design of the muzzle makes it scratch, warp, stain, and dirt-resistant, as well as extremely easy to clean. It is machine and dishwasher safe. The muzzle is handmade in the United States and comes in two sizes and a variety of fun colors.
With a looser basket design, the puppy is still able to drink and pant, as well as eat dry foods and treats, but cannot bite or nip. The basket also prevents the dog from engaging in self-chewing habits or from licking injuries, which can make injuries worse or cause sores.
Birdwell Enterprises Plastic Dog Muzzle Key Features:
- Variety of color options
- Machine and dishwasher washable
- Scratch-resistant material
- Puppy can still eat and drink
Best Budget Pick: Coastal Pet Best Fit Mesh Dog Muzzle
The Coastal Pet Best Fit Mesh Dog Muzzle is a fantastic, affordable option for temporarily muzzling your dog. The mesh material and extra padding on the nose makes this muzzle breathable and comfortable for your dog. The band is adjustable to fit your dog’s snout and neck. This muzzle is recommended for standard size dog breeds.
Customer reviews rave about this muzzle’s uses as a training tool for biters and extra chatty pups. The open-end design lets your dog breathe easily, pant, and drink water while wearing the muzzle. It still limits your dog’s ability to bite, nip, or bark when the behavior is unwanted.
Coastal Pet Best Fit Mesh Dog Muzzle Key Features:
- Comfortable mesh material
- Padded noseband
- Great training tool
- Limits biting and barking
Best Basket Dog Muzzle: BronzeDog Wire Basket Dog Muzzle
The BronzeDog Wire Basket Dog Muzzle is a popular, high-quality option for dog owners with medium and large breed dogs. The muzzle has four adjustable straps to ensure a perfect fit, made of genuine leather. It offers perfect control when walking, keeping your dog focused and helping to train away unwanted biting, chewing, and barking behaviors.
The design of the muzzle keeps the dog comfortable even in hot weather. There is no tight fitting or restrictive fabric to cause excessive heat or chafing. The wire basket is breathable, allowing the dog to pant, drink, and eat dry food through the muzzle while still limiting barking and biting ability. The basket is long enough for the long to lick its nose unrestricted.
BronzeDog Wire Basket Dog Muzzle Key Features:
- Genuine leather straps
- Adjustable fit
- Breathable wire basket
- Great training tool
Best Short Snout Dog Muzzle: JYHY Short Snout Dog Muzzle
If your dog has a short snout, they will need a special style of muzzle. The JYHY Short Snout Dog Muzzle is a great option for dogs of all sizes with a short snout. The muzzle comes in four different sizes that are guaranteed to fit your pooch. Each muzzle has an adjustable strap for an extra secure fit and a quick-release buckle for easy removal.
The muzzle is made from durable mesh and comfortable nylon material. Even though the muzzle will fit snugly on your dog’s snout, there is still enough room in the muzzle for him or her to pant and breathe comfortably, eat, and drink. Customers love that this muzzle keeps their dog’s biting behavior in line when grooming or playing with other pets.
JYHY Short Snout Dog Muzzle Key Features:
- Great for short-snouted dogs
- Comfortable, durable material
- Quick-release buckle
- Breathing and panting room
Who Should Buy a Dog Muzzle
Some dogs legally need to be muzzled when in some public places. So dog owners of such dogs should ensure they buy a reliable and comfortable muzzle so they can freely take their dogs to these places. A muzzles can also be good temporary tool if your dog nips when you are trying to groom him or her or if you have family members or friends who are nervous when first meeting new dogs. Putting a muzzle on your dog can remove any risk of biting behavior in these, and other, situations.
Training with a muzzle is no doubt a contentious topic. You should weigh up the pros and cons of doing so, and always remember that muzzles should only be worn by dogs temporarily. If you do decide to incorporate a muzzle into your dog training, make sure to select one that fits comfortably and allows them to breathe properly. Keep in mind that muzzles should never be used to punish your dog.
Important Features to Consider
- Size. You want to make sure the muzzle you select is the right size for your dog. You can do this by measuring the length and circumference of your dog’s snout and neck.
- Style. Depending on what you are using the muzzle for, you may want to select a particular style. Basket muzzles and loop muzzles are great options for training away barking and biting behaviors, whereas grooming muzzles are mostly used to keep your dog calm during nail clipping or grooming. If you have a short-snouted dog, you will need a muzzle specially designed for their type of snout.
- Comfort. You want to make sure your dog is comfortable wearing their muzzle and doesn’t have any skin irritation or chafing from it. There are any number of different materials that muzzles are made out of and you get what you pay for. Cheaper muzzles are often made out of cheaper materials, whereas more expensive muzzles are made from higher quality materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dog muzzle and how does it work?
A muzzle is essentially a mask that fits onto your dog’s snout to stop him or her from being able to bite. There are different styles of muzzle, but most of them have some material that wraps around the dog’s snout and attaches to a collar around their neck. It works by limiting your dog’s ability to open its mouth fully, stopping biting and in some instances, barking.
Can a dog still eat and drink with a muzzle on?
Depending on the style of muzzle, yes, your dog will still be able to eat dry foods and drink water while wearing their muzzle. Generally speaking, grooming muzzles are the most limiting and often inhibit your dog from opening its mouth at all.
Wonder how much to feed your dog? Find out!
How long should a dog wear a muzzle?
A muzzle is not a long-term solution for solving a behavioral problem. They should only be worn during an activity where your dog is likely to present the behavior you don’t want.
Grooming muzzles, which wrap your dog’s snout tightly, so its mouth cannot open, should only be worn for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time. They prevent the dog from drinking and panting, which can become life-threatening in your dog overheats.
Do dog muzzles work for dogs with short snouts?
Dogs with short snouts require specially designed muzzles that resemble doctor’s masks and fit around most of the dog’s face. There are still many different options available for dog’s with short snouts, though.
