Are there any special precautions I need to follow when I use one of these collars?
You should always check that the collar is comfortable and not causing any soreness by rubbing. It is also essential that your pet cannot slip the collar off. It may take your pet a little time to adjust to wearing the collar and it may initially struggle. Do not be alarmed by this but stay with him and try to encourage him to relax. You should try to avoid taking the collar off when your pet is struggling as this teaches it to struggle in order to get its way and to get it off. This will encourage your dog to continue struggling when you try again.
With both types of collars it is easier to frighten your pet, as senses are restricted to some degree. You should therefore make sure that anyone approaching your pet talks to him as they do so, to warn him of the approach.
If a tubular collar is used, your pet may be aware that it cannot turn its head and detect things quite so easily. It is not surprising that some pets may appear a bit restless and unwilling to settle. This happens because the pet finds it easier to keep a watch on the environment when standing and able to turn the whole body towards any stimulation.
Elizabethan collars may have several effects on your pets behavior because the cone not only restricts the field of vision to the sides and above, but the shape of the cone amplifies any noise while eliminating the ability to locate its direction. It may take your pet a little time to adjust to this. In the meantime, your dog may be a little jumpy. Anyone approaching your pet must be warned of this, as a frightened dog may snap first and investigate later. Some dogs may learn to use the rim of the collar to rub against the area supposedly being protected; you should watch for this and notify your veterinarian if you spot him doing this. A different sized collar may be required.
It is important to make sure that your dog can drink with the collar on. It is not normally necessary to take the collar off while your pet eats. However, you may wish to raise the bowl up or fix it to a platform to allow him to do this more easily.
You should exercise your dog on a leash with the collar on, unless instructed otherwise. Never allow your dog to go outdoors unsupervised while wearing an Elizabethan collar. There is at least one incident of a dog wearing an Elizabethan collar that was scavenging and got its head stuck in a plastic bag with fatal consequences. Never leave your dog unsupervised without the collar on. Remember it only takes a split second for the dog to damage the area being protected. Also it is easier for your dog to adapt to wearing the collar the whole time than to have to keep adjusting to it being on, then off, and then on again.
For many animals, it is essential to wear the cone to prevent them from pulling out stitches after surgery. Photo: Katie Booth
The majority of the 434 respondents reported a worse quality of life score when their companion animal was wearing the collar, significantly so when the Elizabethan collar irritated their pet or impacted on their ability to drink or play. Many owners were reluctant to keep the collar on due to changes in the animal’s behaviour or mental health.
The study, undertaken by Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student Yustina Shenoda and supervisors in the Sydney School of Veterinary Science, and published in the journal Animals, surveyed owners about the collar’s impact on their pet’s sleep, eating, drinking, exercise, interactions with other animals and overall quality of life.
Owners reported the collar interferes with drinking and playing and can cause injuries or irritation to the animal. It can also cause injuries to their owners and damage to property.
“Made the cat thoroughly miserable but he had licked himself a huge ulcer and the collar was the only way to get it healed. The collar interfered with virtually all aspects of his life, he hated it but fortunately was too stupid to figure-out how to get it off,” reported one cat owner.
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Cathy is certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, holding both the CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA designations. Cathy is a Fear Free Certified Certified Professional, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the Pet Professional Guild, and the Dog Writers Association of America.
When shes not geeking out about dogs, you can find her reading, hiking with her two Cardigan Welsh Corgis, or paddleboarding.
As Preventive Vets dog behavior expert and lead trainer at Pupstanding Academy, Cathy focuses on helping humans and their pets build a strong relationship based on trust, clear communication, and the use of positive reinforcement and force-free methods. With over 13 years of experience, she has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs on a wide variety of training and behavior issues. Beyond her one-on-one consultations through Pupstanding Academy, she also teaches group dog training classes at Seattle Humane. Her specialties include dog aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and puppy socialization.
A note for our readers: If you have an urgent question and are unable to ask your veterinarian, you can use the Ask a Vet service that will give you access to a veterinarian for 7 days for $1.
DIY Comfy Dog Cone | How to Make a Homemade Dog Cone Alternative
Our mission is to help save dogs and cats’ lives through our educational content. To support our efforts, this page may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission for qualifying purchases – at no cost to you.
As Preventive Vets dog behavior expert and lead trainer at Pupstanding Academy, Cathy focuses on helping humans and their pets build a strong relationship based on trust, clear communication, and the use of positive reinforcement and force-free methods. With over 13 years of experience, she has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs on a wide variety of training and behavior issues. Beyond her one-on-one consultations through Pupstanding Academy, she also teaches group dog training classes at Seattle Humane. Her specialties include dog aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and puppy socialization.
Cathy is certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, holding both the CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA designations. Cathy is a Fear Free Certified Certified Professional, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the Pet Professional Guild, and the Dog Writers Association of America.
When shes not geeking out about dogs, you can find her reading, hiking with her two Cardigan Welsh Corgis, or paddleboarding.
A note for our readers: If you have an urgent question and are unable to ask your veterinarian, you can use the Ask a Vet service that will give you access to a veterinarian for 7 days for $1.