Its inevitable. Your dog will likely need to wear an Elizabethan collar—also called the E-collar or the “dog cone of shame”—at some point in her life. As funny as they look, dog cones serve an important purpose, especially when your pup is healing from an injury. Heres what you need to know about these kooky but critical health accessories.
Redirecting your pet’s attention away from their wound is another technique that can be used alone or in conjunction with one of the products mentioned above. Keep your dog busy with something safe to chew on, such as a carrot or a Kong stuffed with peanut butter or canned dog food (freezing it first will make it last even longer!). Puzzle toys are another great option for both cats and dogs. Simply fill them with dry food or treats and let your pet get to work trying to retrieve their tasty reward.
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Stacy has always been an animal lover and has worked in the pet industry and pet insurance specifically for over a decade. As a writer since early childhood, content writing for Healthy Paws pet insurance was a natural career path to combine her two passions. She currently lives in Florida with her boyfriend and Taiwanese rescue dog, Kaya.
An inflatable collar is similar to an airplane pillow and prevents your pet from licking by greatly reducing the mobility of their head. These collars are lightweight, soft, and allow your dog or cat greater visibility than the traditional E-collar which blocks all of their peripheral vision. There are a number of inflatable collars available, such as the KONG Cloud Collar, the Protective Inflatable Cone Collar, and the Well & Good inflatable collar.
Similar to the traditional plastic E-Collar, a soft collar is made of fabric, which is quieter, more flexible, and ultimately more comfortable for your pet. The Comfy Cone is the most recognized brand, but there are other choices, like the E-KOMG, and various attractive collar designs by Alfie Pet, such as a sunflower and a lion’s mane.
What Does the “E” in “E-Collar” Stand For?
The “E” in “E-collar” stands for “Elizabethan collar”, as in the types of collars people in this time period would wear). I bet your dog is feeling fancier already!
E-collars are basically designed to get in your dog’s way; they physically prevent your dog from reaching her haunches, back or belly with her mouth. But they accomplish this feat in a few different ways, and there are three basic designs from which you can choose.
Rigid E-collars are the oldest design of the three. These are the infamous “lampshade” collars that fit around your dog’s neck and extend in front of her face.
They are typically made from semi-flexible plastic, and they are pretty effective at keeping your dog from chewing and licking on just about any part of her body (although she may still be able to reach portions of her front legs).
The downside to rigid E-collars is that dogs really hate them. They are probably the least comfortable of the three design styles, and they block your dog’s peripheral vision to varying degrees, which can make some dogs nervous. Also, because of the way they extend around your dog’s head, they make it difficult for dogs to get around the house.
Flexible E-collars are generally similar to rigid E-collars, but instead of semi-flexible plastic, they are made of softer and more flexible materials. They are often made from a very thin plastic or cardboard cone, which is covered with padded materials to provide additional comfort.
Flexible E-collars are much more comfortable for dogs to wear, and they won’t create a racket when your dog bumps into door frames and other obstacles in your home. They aren’t quite as effective as rigid cones, as their flexibility allows your dog a little more wiggle room to potentially get her muzzle within licking distance of her booboo.
But, on balance, flexible E-collars often provide a good mix of efficacy and comfort.
Inflatable E-collars look like the neck pillows people use on airplanes or after falling into a pit. They feature an inflatable bladder, which is covered with a durable and comfortable material. A strap of some type is usually included to keep the collar securely around your dog’s neck.
These work in a similar manner to the other types of E-collars – the inflatable bladder simply prevents your dog from being able to move her head back far enough to reach most of her body. However, inflatable E-collars they offer a few key benefits that other styles don’t.
For example, inflatable collars don’t block your dog’s peripheral vision, so it will help keep some dogs calmer while wearing them. And, inflatable-style E-collars are probably the most comfortable of the three basic designs. They’re also quite light and probably impact your dog’s movement the least.
However, inflatable E-collars aren’t quite as effective as rigid or flexible collars, and they may not prevent your dog from accessing wounds in some locations if your pooch is especially determined and flexible.
E-collars are very important tools to use in some cases, but you don’t need to put an E-collar around your dog’s neck every time she gets a minor wound. Most dogs don’t like wearing them, so you’ll want to pick and choose your spots.
Generally, the following four circumstances should cause you to consider fitting your dog with an E-collar:
Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws?
Occasional paw licking is nothing to get worked up about.
Your dog will lick his paws to clean them, but excessive licking is a red flag that there is a serious problem.
Whether its a strange new compulsion or a sign of injury, its best to have any concerns addressed by your veterinarian.
FAQ
How can I get my dog to stop licking his paws?
Can dogs sleep with a cone?
Can my dog wear a shirt instead of a cone?