T-Shirt Instead Of E Collar

If your pet has ever recovered from surgery, you’ll remember just how much they hate the Elizabethan collar, aka the “cone of shame”—that stiff plastic cone that goes around their neck, preventing them from licking or tearing out their stitches. In addition to looking uncomfortable, the cone of shame limits their field of vision, and makes it harder for them to eat or drink. Watch

The good news is that there are some more comfortable alternatives to the cone of shame, which will leave you and your pet feeling a little bit calmer.

In the event that your pet needs medical care, what do you do? As with so many other aspects of…

Dress your pet in a onesie

One of the simplest alternatives for the cone of shame is to dress your cat or small dog in a onesie. A onesie will provide full coverage for your pet, covering their torso, preventing them from licking or tearing at any stitches. It’s also a far more adorable option. G/O Media may get a commission

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When it comes to putting your pet in a onesie, you’ll need to pick the right size. When I tried this out on my cats, my 11 pound cat needed a nine-month onesie, while my 17-pound cat needed an 18-month onesie. (As you can see from the following photo, Cement, my 17 pound cat, looked very grouchy in his onesie, but that is nothing new.) Advertisement

Depending on where the stitches are, you might need a full onesie, one that snaps at the bottom, for which you’ll need to cut out a hole for the tail, or if you don’t need quite as much coverage, you can use a baby shirt, which would cover the shoulders and upper stomach.

You might also need to modify the onesie slightly, to make sure that it fits comfortably, whether that’s using a pair of scissors to open up the arm or neck holes, or pinning the torso to make for a snugger fit. Advertisement

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If your pet struggles with the cone, there is actually a pretty easy DIY alternative to keep your furry friend comfortable while they recover at home. You can make your pet a “jacket” out of an old T-shirt, and it can cover wounds or scars just like the cone.

The DIY site Instructables has a complete tutorial on how to make a jacket for your pet. To get started, all you need is a T-shirt or other piece of material, scissors, a marker and four safety pins.

For a tutorial on how to construct a protective wrap for a pet using a tank top, check out this video posted to YouTube by Susan Holt:

For a medium cat, your material needs to about 20 inches square, and you’ll need to size up or down accordingly, depending on the size of your pet. The author notes that the jacket should fit snugly without being too tight.

Ditch the cone of shame with these smart alternatives

T-Shirt Instead Of E Collar

Surgery can be tough on our cats—especially the recovery period. To help make it as quick and painless as possible, most vets will recommend an e-collar, a simple yet effective wearable that keeps your cat’s healing wound safe from, well, your cat.

An e-collar, or Elizabethan collar, is a simple device that you might know by its more common name: the cone of shame. E-collars have come a long way from the hard, clear plastic cone you may remember. There is now a wide range of alternative e-collars that are often more comfortable for your healing kitty. They’re also quite affordable, with the cost for both alternative and standard e-collars typically coming in around $10 to $20.

FAQ

Can I use a shirt instead of e-collar?

You can make your pet a “jacket” out of an old T-shirt, and it can cover wounds or scars just like the cone. The DIY site Instructables has a complete tutorial on how to make a jacket for your pet. To get started, all you need is a T-shirt or other piece of material, scissors, a marker and four safety pins.

Can I put at shirt on my dog instead of a cone?

There is an animal-friendly alternative for the cone: medical protective apparel. The Medical Pet Shirt® protects and covers the pet’s body after a medical procedure like neutering, during recovery, in case of skin problems or whenever protection is needed.

Is there an alternative to an e-collar?

Any dog cone alternative including inflatable collars, flexible and soft fabric e-collars, and clothing like onesies and bodysuits can be used instead of a traditional e-collar. Make sure whatever you decide to use protects the affected area from your dog’s biting or licking.

What can my dog wear instead of a cone?

The Soft E-Fabric Collar would be most effective on a relaxed dog that has an injury on the back or upper extremities. Sometimes an alternative to the cone can be made at home. Bandages, boxer shorts, booties, and baby onesies can help keep injured areas protected.