They are also used to keep patients from chewing or licking at infected or irritated areas, like hot spots.”\n\nCones 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. Help them by skipping the use of the traditional Elizabethan collar a.k.a. The comfy cone is well worth the extra few bucks. “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. Dog cones can be purchased directly from your veterinarian and may be sent home with you if your dog has a surgery, procedure, or your veterinarian recommends a treatment plan that prevents licking or biting. There are many plush versions of the cone that are made with soft materials or a more durable silicone which is still more loved than the classic cone. Dog alternatives to the cone of shame do exist. Some fabric e-collars can be downright flimsy, but the Comfy Cone is a nice cross between something flexible and sturdy. The fabric is light weight and breathable for your dog’s comfort with all day use. May not correctly fit dogs with unusual body shapes like Dachshunds or Bulldogs. They are also nice because they act as a second protective skin without being in the way like cones or collars. Velcro closures make it easy to get on and off your dog. Meet the Towel Dog Collar {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Why do dogs wear cones? 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. But e-collars and other types of dog cones can also be purchased from pet retailers and pet supply companies. The collar is adjustable and easy to fit to your pup’s current collar to better secure it. MIDOG Pet Inflatable Collar for After Surgery, 10. The fabric is designed to be breathable and comfortable and fit your dog’s body like a second skin. Her primary medical interests are preventive medicine and client education. The collar is made using flexible plastic and foam and appears like a more comfortable alternative to the hard plastic cone. The material is soft to the touch, stretchy to best fit your dog and breathable for long hours of usage. If this happens to you, a DIY, homemade dog cone will serve the same purpose. Dog Onesie: The Most Sensible Cone Alternative. Instead, use the best alternatives to the plastic cone. The inflatable dog collar makes your dog look a bit like he’s lost out at sea in need of rescuing. Bodysuits or onesies are a good option for abdominal surgeries or hotspots that can be covered with them. The KONG Cloud E-Collar is made to keep your pet from chewing or licking on themselves while recovering from surgery while still offering them as much comfort as possible. Cheryl got her first rabbit when she was in college — which she affectionately named Fiver, after the hero from Watership Down — and her second bunny, Nugget, traveled with her from apartment to apartment, and even across the country. But, at the outset, let me just offer that if the satellite dish lacks appeal because it seems more like a cumbersome instrument of torture than a medical device, this ginormous neck brace alternative is not going to win you over. As we had planned on having him neutered for some time already (and the prospect of keeping a hyper active dog on the lead for two separate week’s recuperation wasn’t very tempting), we decided to kill two birds with one stone. The material of the collar is soft and plush to avoid potential chafing or rubbing on your dog’s neck. “It prevents them from getting directly to the site. Let’s dive into the world of dog cones to see why they are sometimes necessary and explore different options for our fussy canine companions. “E-collars are regularly used in veterinary medicine,” says Dr. Ashley D. Rossman, a veterinarian at Glen Oak Dog and Cat Hospital. The fabric is plush to the touch but sturdy enough to survive your dog’s daily life, the inflatable design reduces risk of choking. If your dog is use to wearing sweaters or clothes then they would definitely enjoy this over any other type of alternative dog cone. Dog Cone Buyer’s Guide. Onesies are useful for the quick and easy process putting them on your dog. Fabric collars need to have a flexible skeleton in order to work like a regular e-collar, and that’s what we love about this fabric recovery collar from Alfie Pet. Dr. Cathy Barnette is a small animal veterinarian with 13 years of clinical experience. “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.”\n\nBe wary of collars that are too soft, however. GoodBoy Comfortable Recovery E-Collar for Dogs and Cats, 9. The inflatable quality of the collar is a great thing for comfort as it lowers risk of chafing or choking but it also has the problem that if your dog gets it off they can pop it. Before purchasing a dog cone from a pet store or online retailer, make sure to discuss whether it is the right option for your pet’s needs. Ties do the same but if you don’t have the hand strength or dexterity to tie a good knot then it can come undone easily.