Dog Cone Collars: When They’re Necessary
For dogs, that huge plastic cone—sometimes referred to as an Elizabethan dog collar or e-collar—serves an essential function.
“E-collars are regularly used in veterinary medicine,” says Dr. Ashley D. Rossman, a veterinarian at Glen Oak Dog and Cat Hospital. “They are extremely important after surgical procedures to keep dogs from licking or chewing at their incisions. They are also used to keep patients from chewing or licking at infected or irritated areas, like hot spots.”
Cones also help prevent pets from scratching, licking, or chewing at their eyes when there are problems in that area, adds Dr. Karie Anne Johnson, co-founder of VIP Vet Visit, a mobile vet service catering to the Chicago suburbs.
Important as they are, traditional dog cones aren’t always convenient. If they aren’t fitted properly, says Johnson, cones can make it difficult for dogs to eat or drink.
Fit problems can also result in dogs being able to reach the area that they are supposed to stay away from.
Additionally, plastic cones can be scary for our dogs, as they may amplify sounds or limit your pet’s field of vision.
“Some dogs may completely shut down with the cone on,” says Johnson.
Whether you’ve tried a traditional dog cone collar and it didn’t work, or you’re simply interested in avoiding issues that might crop up with this type of collar in the first place, there are some alternatives.
Each type of collar comes with its positives and negatives, so it might take some trial and error to find the option that’s most comfortable for your particular pet.
If the e-collar provided by your vet isn’t working, here are some store-bought dog cone alternatives to try at home. Just make sure to discuss these options with your veterinarian prior to using one with your dog.
If the hard plastic is a problem, there are dog cone styles that come in a softer option.
“Some of the newer softer collars fold down to make it easier for patients to eat and drink,” says Rossman. “The softer collars that also maintain a shape are good if they are comfortable for your pet and prevent them from licking or chewing the affected areas.”
Be wary of collars that are too soft, however. Softer collars that do not maintain shape can still work, but you’ll want to make sure your pet cannot reach the affected regions.
“Many pets can actually very easily pull a soft e-collar off, since it is more flexible,” says Johnson. “Some pets may actually prefer the traditional hard e-collar to soft, since the soft is not see through, which means they can only truly see directly in front of them.”
Some soft e-collars actually come with a hard skeleton as well. “These are my favorite kind of e-collars,” adds Johnson. “Pets cannot see through them, since they are still soft fabric, but the hard skeleton makes it more like a traditional e-collar so it isn’t as easy to take off and it makes it more rigid.”
Inflatable collars are also an option, and they may work in certain cases. However, these collars can puncture easily, so a pet parent should closely monitor the condition of the collar if they choose this option. Additionally, inflatable e-collars may not effectively block access to all parts of the body.
Bodysuits or onesies are a good option for abdominal surgeries or hotspots that can be covered with them. You can purchase a bodysuit created for this purpose, or you may be able to use a fitted t-shirt (depending on the area that you are trying to protect).
“If your pet is more likely to lick at an incision or wound instead of scratch or bite, this is a good option,” said Dr. Johnson. “It prevents them from getting directly to the site. This can also be an added second line of protection if your pet is Houdini with an e-collar.”
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If you are looking for a safe solution to protect your pet without the discomfort of a traditional e-collar, but don’t know where to start—don’t worry. These products are tried and tested to work to protect your pet.
Our Pick: ZenPet ZenCollar Inflatable Recovery Collar
If you want an easy dog cone solution without fuss, this inflatable collar that attaches to your dog’s regular collar is simple to use. The plastic material is a cinch to blow up and you slip it over the collar your dog already wears. We love this because it doesn’t block your dog’s peripheral vision and offers a good range of motion compared to traditional e-collars.
Our Pick: Suitical Recovery Suit for Dogs
If your dog’s stitches or injury is on the torso or stomach, this recovery onesie may be the best option, since it doesn’t limit mobility or vision. The fabric is designed to be breathable and comfortable and fit your dog’s body like a second skin. The suit is unisex and can be used for both male and female dogs. Plus, it’s machine washable—so just throw it in the laundry to clean it.
Our Pick: The Original Comfy Cone Soft Recovery Collar
Some fabric e-collars can be downright flimsy, but the Comfy Cone is a nice cross between something flexible and sturdy. It’s made of foam-backed padded nylon to give it just enough sturdiness without the rigidness of plastic dog cones. One of the nice features is that it can easily be flipped down to the neck and shoulders for eating or drinking, and it’s durable material is simple to wipe clean.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks
Depending on the area of your furry friend’s body that requires protection, you have several options to keep your pup’s mouth out of bounds. But any product you choose must keep your dog from licking and chewing at her wound or surgical site 24/7. They’re also helpful for keeping your dog from licking hot spots or irritated and inflamed skin.
The bacteria in dogs’ mouths can cause infection and delay healing time. Even minor licking makes the site moist, which invites bacteria to spread. Excessive licking may re-open wounds, even those with stitches. And many dogs will chew out sutures, leading to severe complications.
Some popular alternatives to hard plastic e-collars to help your pup heal include:
We chose our top picks based on several factors, including how effective each product is at deterring licking, quality, comfort, customer feedback, pricing, and more.
E-Collars
These collars are shaped more traditionally, but the difference is the material. A soft, padded cone-shaped collar with removable stays for more structure, yet, allows more flexibility of movement. You can remove the hard stays and fold back the collar to make it easier for dogs to eat, drink and sleep. The collar direction can even be reversed to face backward for shoulder or upper back injuries, as well as IV lines.
The shape also allows your dog to get through doorways, pet doors and other opening. The design has reflective binding for outdoor safety. The dog’s regular collar threads through the elastic loops so the fit is secure but comfortable. Bonus: it is water resistant and repellant, so you can wipe it clean. The shape and fit is much closer to the traditional cone than the inflatables, so fussy dogs may still be unhappy.
The same rule applies: the collar’s effectiveness will depend on your dog. While this collar extends past the dog’s nose, if your dog is determined or stubborn, he may be able to get to the injury, but it’s been reported by most customers to be effective.
“It’s padded, well made and works perfect. I didn’t need to use my dog’s collar to secure the cone since it holds in place with the velcro and the size can be adjusted.” — Denise, Amazon verified buyer
It comes in sizes from XS to XXL and runs anywhere from $9 to about $44.
DIY Comfy Dog Cone | How to Make a Homemade Dog Cone Alternative
A dog wearing a “cone of shame” is not a happy dog. He bangs into everything, including the floor, wall and furniture. He can’t get to the food or water bowl. He’s hot and uncomfortable and grumpy. He’s also nervous and anxious. (For dogs who need to feel more relaxed wearing their cone of shame, check out our Bye Bye Pup Worries natural calming chew)
There are even worse complications. Dogs in shelters are often wearing cones because they’ve been neutered, and even though they may be perfectly healthy, these dogs have trouble getting adopted because they appear unhealthy. It’s a “Cone 22.”
But there are much better (and cheaper) options that the standard hard plastic cone you get at the vet’s office. Here’s some alternatives that might make your dog much happier while he recovers.
If your dog’s injury is on the body (rather than the paws) this post-surgical dog suit may be the answer. It’s basically a dog onesie with an adjustable fit and breathable fabric that is machine washable. Made from a cotton-lycra blend, it allows your dog to freely move around, yet, is still durable. Snaps are in the back, making it nearly impossible for your dog to remove and can be adjusted for a customized fit. A “potty cover” can be unsnapped.
“This has saved my life. Fantastic product. Lifesaver, whoever invited this suit deserves a million pound and like a 100 cupcakes or something.” — Jane, Amazon verified buyer
It comes in black, pink camo or blue camo. Sized from XXXS to XXL and is prices from $28 to $32.
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