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Dog Cone: A Necessary Nuisance
It will seem like medieval torture to them, but there may be a time when your beloved pooch needs to wear a dog cone.
Your pet may have a surgical procedure, a wound that needs to heal, a rash, or a hot spot aggravated by your pet’s continued biting or licking.
It is an instinct for your pet to lick a wound and so the only way to counteract this is to prohibit them from doing so.
The prescribed method to prevent your pet from causing themselves more problems is to use a dog cone during the healing process.
A Medical Cone Or A Fashion Statement?
Also called an e-collar, the dog cone is put around their neck and restricts the dog’s ability to reach areas of their body to bite or lick.
An e-collar derives its name as a reference to an Elizabethan Collar, the type worn by Queen Elizabeth the First. It looks uncomfortable on her, too.
Fortunately for us, that particular fashion statement has long gone, but unfortunately for our pooches, it is the best short-term remedy for healing.
Best Dog Cones Reviews
Here is our list of the best options in dog cones for your pet in their time of need.
| Cones | Specifics | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Comfy Cone | Patented soft cone-shaped | 4.9 |
| Remedy + Recover | Padded neckline | 4.8 |
| ZenPet | Made from a soft fabric | 4.8 |
| Kong CLoud | Inflatable and adjustable | 4.7 |
| Bencmate | Inflatable and adjustable | 4.6 |
| EZ Soft | Drawstring collar | 4.6 |
Comfy Cone E-Collar
When your pet is recovering from surgery or needing to control their licking, the Comfy Cone will help your pet recover and heal.
Veterinarian tested and approved; this collar will provide protection and comfort at the same time.
Specifics
- Patented soft cone-shaped e-collar. Made with foam-backed padded nylon
- Plastic stays add structure to the collar, but you can remove them when needed.
- The closure is provided by Velcro strips that also allow for a custom fit
- Reversible and easy on and off
- Water-resistant
- Easy to wipe clean with soap and water.
Made from foam-backed padded nylon, the Comfy Cone helps to keep your pooch safe and comfortable while recovering.
Your pet will still be able to eat, drink, and sleep in the Comfy Cone. Reversible, the collar is also adjustable using Velcro closures so that you can get a snug fit.
If you have a pet that tends to be an escape artist, there are loops on the Comfy Cone that you can thread their dog collar through to help the cone stay in place.
If needed, the cone comes with plastic stays. You can insert the stays to create a more rigid collar.
The Comfy Cone has a reflective binding around the end of the collar to keep your dog visible in low light situations outdoors and indoors.
Water-resistant, the Comfy Cone can be easily cleaned with a cloth and soap and water.
Pros:
- If your dog is doing well, remove the rigid stays and fold the collar back while leaving it on to give your pooch a better view of the world
- Soft material doesn’t scratch and seems comfortable for pets
- Can weave the cone through your dog’s collar for extra security
Cons:
- Most dogs don’t like the sound of Velcro
- Dogs have no peripheral vision in the cone as the material is opaque
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Remedy + Recovery E-Collar
This pet collar will help your pet recover from injury, surgery, wounds, and rashes or hot spots.
Specifics
- The collar comes in multiple sizes and works for cats or dogs
- Padded neckline to provide comfort
- It held closed with a snap
- Transparent so your pet can see through
- Easily cleaned
The Remedy + Recovery E-collar has padded edges that make it more comfortable than other plastic collars.
The padding provides another bonus, as it will keep the collar from making marks on the walls of your home.
There are fasteners on the collar that allows for sizing the collar either up or down. Perhaps one of the better features of the collar, from the dog’s point of view, is that it is see-through.
Your pooch will not have tunnel vision, but be able to see to the side and prevent tripping.
Light in weight, it will not weigh down your pup’s neck. The Remedy + Recovery collar comes in yellow, pink, green, or blue.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Allows pet to see to the sides
- Soft edges
Cons:
- Some pet owners felt collars were too short, pets could still reach affected areas
- Can be hard to snap on
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ZenPet ProCone Pet E-Collar
The ZenPet ProCone is a soft collar that works for both cats and dogs.
Made of soft but sturdy canvas, the collar’s unique design allows your pet to still use their peripheral vision with built-in windows.
Specifics
- Made from a soft fabric
- Comes in four sizes
- Has an adjustable hook and loop sizing
Made from bite-resistant and anti-scratch canvas, this collar will be less stressful for your pet to wear while they recover.
Your pet will feel less stressed as the collar has built-in windows that allow them to see where they are going and eliminate the “tunnel” sound experienced from hard collars.
The soft collar will be comfortable for them and won’t ding up your walls or furniture. While they are on the mend, the collar will keep them from biting or licking areas that need to heal.
Putting the collar on is easy, too. It works with your pet’s collar and fits around their neck with an adjustable fastener strap.
Pros:
- Machine washable
- Used and recommended by vets for over 12 years
- Folds back for eating and drinking
Cons:
- Some purchasers complained about an initial petrol type smell
- Others felt material didn’t hold its shape well
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KONG Cloud Collar for Dogs & Cats
Different from other types of e-collars, the Kong Cloud collar is an inflatable device to help keep your pet from biting or licking.
Specifics
- Inflatable and adjustable round e-collar
- Sturdy, washable material that is bite resistant
- Durable hook and loop securing strap
- Available in five sizes
Much like a small inner tube, the Kong Cloud will go comfortably around your pet’s neck.
Covered in a soft and washable fabric, the Cloud does not inhibit your pet from eating or drinking.
There is no loss of vision, as is a problem for pets with a traditional cone.
Soft and comfy, this inflatable collar is probably best for keeping your pet from licking or biting areas that are on their upper body.
While it is much more comfortable for your pet, it will not restrict them from getting at areas lower on their body.
Comfortable to wear, make sure with your vet that this type of collar will provide the restriction necessary for successful healing if your pet is affected in his lower body.
Pros:
- More comfortable than rigid collars
- Does not obstruct vision
- Easy to store
Cons:
- Some dogs can still reach restricted areas of their body
- Pets hair can get stuck in Velcro closure
- Because it inflates, it can be popped
Bencmate Protective Inflatable Collar
An affordable, inflatable collar keeps your pet from aggravating surgical or wound areas by biting and licking.
The Benchmate helps your pet to recover quicker from rashes, injuries, and hot spots.
Specifics
- Inflatable design
- Zippered sides for easy cleaning
- Adjustable
Soft and comfortable for your pet, the Bencmate is much like wearing an airplane pillow. While your pooch might not appreciate wearing the device, it will be comfy.
The collar will not block your pet’s vision or cause tunnel hearing like a plastic cone collar.
To give additional stability to the Bencmate, you can thread your pets’ regular collar through the tabs on the inflatable collar.
Your pet will be able to eat, sleep, and play all while wearing this collar.
Pros:
- Will not mark walls or furniture
- Bite and scratch-resistant
- Easily stored when deflated
Cons:
- Collar will not keep the pet from reaching lower body areas
KONG EZ Soft Collar for Dogs & Cats
The Kong EZ soft collar has a flexible design made to keep your pet from chewing or licking trouble areas that need to heal.
Specifics
- Constructed from pliable fabric
- Drawstring collar
- The cinch-tight toggle allows adjusting
- Suitable for cats and small dogs
The Kong name in dog toys is synonymous with sturdy, quality toys. They put the same care into making their e-collars.
Well made and durable, the EZ soft collar gets its shape from its internal wire.
The flexible collar material provides plenty of giving and so prevents your pet from knocking objects over when they are walking around with the collar on.
It also saves your legs from unintended bruises inflicted by your affectionate pet. Wearing this collar is less stressful for your pet
Pros:
- Soft and comfy for pet
- Machine washable
- Doesn’t mark walls or furniture
Cons:
- Stitching can come apart
- Some pets can get this off very quickly
Not A Pleasant Experience
Anyone who has had to place one of these dog cones on their pet already knows that it is not the best of times for those concerned.
They are beyond annoying for your pet and not at all pleasant for you. Negotiating the world with a cone on your neck is not easy to get used to and most dogs don’t.
They will continue to bang into walls and furniture the entire time they are in the cone.
It is not pleasant to get hit in the shins or back of the knees with one of these rigid plastic cones, so expect to get a few bruises of your own while your pet heals.
A Necessary Nuisance
An e-collar’s sole purpose is to protect your pet from irritating incisions, opening stitches, ingesting topical medicines, licking a skin condition, or causing more trauma to an area trying to heal.
While they are not a fun object your dog would choose, e-collars are essential tools in veterinary medicine.
But all of the knowledge of their importance doesn’t mitigate the fact that they are not pleasant to wear.
Have Some Sympathy For The Pooch
Although the cones don’t hurt, they can be scary and intimidating for your pet.
They can obscure or obstruct their vision; they change the sounds your pet hears and get in the way of eating and playing.
Your pet is already trying to heal from something, usually surgery, and they have also been subjected to this annoying device.
It can be quite stressful for them as they have a hard time going up or downstairs, eating or drinking, the all-important scratch, and the continual ramming into things.
It is much like if you had a cast on your arm or leg. Your normal functions would be severely impacted.
Keep The E-Collar In Place
While you might want to extend sincere sympathy to your pet, don’t be tempted into taking the cone off. Cone serves an essential function for your healing pet.
It is impossible for you to keep your eyes on your pet at all times. It is impossible for your pet not to lick.
If your pet has something that they are healing from, whether it be surgery, a skin condition, hot spots, or whatever it might be, you want to do it just once.
The dog cone will help keep that healing area free from licking and chewing, which could cause infection and require antibiotics.
Don’t take the chance of making matters worse by leaving their collar off. If you have to remove it at certain times like when they are outside, make sure to supervise them.
Final Thoughts
Most pets, while they don’t like the cones, will adjust to them. Eating and drinking might be messy or you may need to remove the dog cone for meals, but put it back on afterward.
Check your pet’s neck daily to make sure that there is not any irritation from the collar. Keep the collar clean for your pooch, too.
While it may be funny, resist the temptation to decorate your pooches’ e-collar.
If you need to leave your pet alone, as most of us working pet owners do, confine them to an area where they won’t be getting stuck or knocking over items they might get hurt on.
This will be a temporary situation. Doing it right the first time will elevate additional time in the cone and faster healing for your pet.
Yes, It Is Funny!
While the pets in this video certainly didn’t appreciate the fancy neckwear, it did serve the purpose of a good laugh for their owners:
Funny Dog Cone Of Shame Compilation
Ian is an avid outdoorsman and dog lover. He lives in Central Florida with his wife Heather, and their 2 dogs – Panda (Purebread Rough Collie X English Golden Retriever) & Kuma (Blue Merl Purebread Rough Collie)
