Help Your Dog Navigate Doors and Stairs.
My foster dog, Carter, sometimes likes to dart through doors. If your dog likes to shoot through the doorway before you get the door all the way open, they are possibly going to jar themselves as the cone hits the door jamb.
Those uncomfortable and scary experiences don’t help a dog adjust to the cone.
If your dog is under vet-instructed exercise restriction, you already have them on a leash, I‘m sure of it.
Pick them up, connect them to a short leash, and completely open the door before allowing them to egress.
Stairs are really hard and dangerous for a dog wearing a cone, especially for little dogs wearing a larger cone. I don’t give them any opportunity to fall; I either pick them up and carry them up/down, or I get low and help guide them up. Sometimes, – and I do this for the larger dogs – all I have to do is grab the top rim of the cone and pitch it back so that the bottom of the cone rests under their chin. This way, they can slowly walk up steps without getting the cone caught.
I usually size up when my dogs have to be crate-confined during recovery. Not only does it give them a bit more room, a larger crate slightly accommodates the presence of the Elizabethan collar.
I also help my dogs go through the crate door while they are wearing the collar. I’ll push the edges of the cone toward the head and guide them through. I’ve seen a dog (mine!) teach herself to go through the crate opening all by herself wearing the cone. Your dogs maybe can, too.
Yes – the collar clanks on the crate bars. Yes, your dog doesn’t like it.
Guess what. Dogs decide that taking a nap is more pleasant than feeling the collar clank on the bars. And rest helps them heal faster.
If your vet approves, you can also use an exercise pen to give them more room to move about.
If your dog is really having a hard time being confined and wearing the cone, by all means, call your veterinarian. It’s nobody’s intention for your dog to have a panic attack because of the cone.
Do keep in mind that protesting wearing the cone and a panic attack are two totally separate behaviors. Your veterinarian can help you sort out the differences.
Cones donât have to be uncomfortable.
If your dog is having surgery, donât be surprised when your vet sends them home wearing an e-collar, otherwise known as an Elizabethan collar or a cone. The cone is essential to ensuring your petâs recovery process goes smoothly.
Just know that your pet probably wonât be the biggest fan of their new accessory. It can be uncomfortable and may take a little getting used to â but there are ways you can help make the experience better.
Very rarely can a dog go without a cone post-surgery. With these tips for using a cone, the staff at East Valley Animal Hospital hope to help make the experience a little less stressful. Here’s how to make a dog cone more comfortable.
One of the biggest difficulties dogs and their owners face in learning how to make a dog cone more comfortable is making eating, drinking, and sleeping as easy as possible. The cone can certainly make these tasks more difficult, but they are entirely possible with the cone on. If they are having difficulty with a deep bowl you can help them out by using a shallow bowl and by steadying it while he eats or drinks. Make sure that their water is in a very accessible space, away from cabinets or walls that might prevent your dog from being able to drink freely when they want. If your dog typically sleeps in a kennel, guiding them in and out may help prevent them from getting stuck in a tough position.
The traditional cone you get from the vet may not always be the best fit for your dog. Fortunately, there are more options now! Some dogs manage well with a cone and will stand the extra nuisance for a few days. Other dogs may become depressed or detest wearing the cone and take every opportunity to get rid of it. There are several alternatives to the typical e-collar, such as a soft cone or an inflatable e-collar. Regardless of what you use, make sure it properly prevents your dog from scratching or licking themselves and that it is correctly fitted for their size.
No dog enjoys wearing a cone. Unfortunately, in most post-operative cases, the cone is necessary and prevents our dogs from biting at their stitches. The most common type of cone dogs wear after a surgery or treatment is the ‘e-collar’ or the Elizabethan collar. The Elizabethan collar was named for its resemblance to the Renaissance era style in women’s dress fashion, which was started by Queen Elizabeth I of England.
Regardless of what type of cone you use, or how easy you make navigation and eating for your dog, they will likely still be somewhat uncomfortable in their cone. This is normal, and it’s best to be patient because usually, they won’t have to wear the cone long term if they are healing properly. However, if the cone is becoming an area of concern, check with the post-op vet for more advice. If you’re looking for a compassionate vet in the Gilbert, AZ area, give us a call at East Valley Animal Hospital. We pride ourselves on having respectful, caring interactions with our clients and their pets. And we’ll do everything we can to make your pet’s visit as comfortable as possible. To schedule an appointment, call 480-568-2462 or contact us online.
Dog Cone Care Tips
I love how we as pet owners enjoy poo-pooing the plastic, vet-issue Elizabethan collar, abbreviated as the e-collar. (not to be confused with the abbreviation of the electronic or “shock” collar.)
While I know there are some pets that absolutely will not tolerate the expansive, noisy, cumbersome, unfamiliar plastic bowl around their heads, most dogs, when given assistance and proper management of their environment, will quickly adjust to wearing this very important and protective tool.
Also, if you are a foster of a rescued dog, you may be required to keep the Elizabethan collar on your foster dog for the duration of the dog’s recovery.
Personally, I’ve tried many of the “alternative” products available on the market, and I always return to the plastic “vet-issue” Elizabethan collar.
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