Dog Cones And E-Collars Buyer’s Guide
There are dog parents that dread the idea of the Elizabethan collar (e-collar), but it shouldn't be confused with the infamous electric shock collar, as a recovery collar simply encircles a dog's head to create a protective barrier. This barrier is meant to stop the animal from licking or biting its wound, lesion, or incision site. It also protects head lesions as well as the eyes and ears.
As you know by now from our list of the top dog cones and e-collars above, there are different varieties of the cone from clear or shaded plastic to fabric ones. Some have pre-cut sizes that snap together while others can be custom fitted using Velcro strips.
Great Fit Is Crucial
Take note that a cone that has a good fit is snug around a dog's neck. It’s loose enough that it gets one or two of your fingers in between the neck and the collar, but also tight enough that your dog can't remove its e-collar.
Any hard edges shouldn't apply pressure to a dog's neck. It should also extend up to the tip of the animal's nose, depending on the part of the dog's body that needs protection. For instance, a wound that’s near the tip of the tail may need a long cone so the animal can't access the area with its mouth.
For a head wound or lesion, the cone will protect the eyes, ears, and entire face from being pawed or scratched. It will also deter a dog from rubbing its face against surfaces like the floor, walls, and your furniture; therefore, the cone can be slightly shorter.
Dog Cones Are Meant For Recovery
It’s important for you to understand that a dog cone is not a torture device or a tool for punishment. Instead, it's a protective device that's extremely necessary. An animal may object to its use at first. It may even use passive measures like hanging its head down or smashing its gigantic head into walls or furniture. There are dogs that pretend that they can't drink or eat with cones on. Be strong as these are just theatrics! Little Fido is merely trying to manipulate you or make you feel guilty.
When your dog has to recover, it needs "tough love." The cone MUST stay on until it's fully healed or when sutures are removed.
Have you decided on a specific product already? Maybe you're torn between two excellent options. This section of the article will help you narrow your choices further.
Choosing The Right Type Of Elizabethan Collar
Traditional Plastic Cone
This type of cone is the most common. Vets often have this type given for free after surgeries. It is great if the affected site is on the animal's head as this style offers a bigger "protection area", so it makes it hard for a dog to scratch its wound. It is also great for a dog with ear hematoma as it prevents blood from splattering if it opens up. This type is easy to clean, but it also has its downside. It’s not the most comfortable option for a dog.
Fabric Collar
The second type of recovery collar is one that has a fabric construction. It bends easier so a dog can easily lie down, eat, and move around with it. There are styles that come with a Velcro and drawstring to make size adjustments better and easier compared to traditional cones. However, if the material is not water-resistant, a fabric cone can be difficult to clean.
Inflatable Cone
This one looks like a donut or cushion. It’s like the fabric type as it’s comfortable and makes it easy for a dog to get around. For a brachycephalic dog, it is easier to wear and harder for it to take off. However, if your dog has a tail injury, it can reach its tail with the cone on.
Features To Look For When Buying Dog Cones And E-Collars
Ease Of Cleaning
A lot of dogs throw up after having surgery or getting injured. There may also be accidents, especially if the dog is on some sort of medication. By having a collar that is easy to clean, you will be able to prevent messes. Most importantly, you can avoid foul smells and infections.
There are collars that come with outside covers which come off for quick and easy cleaning. Whatever medical collar you choose, make sure that it can be wiped down or it's machine-washable.
Adjustability
Most e-collars can be used for several sizes of dogs. Still, it is a good idea if you purchase the dog recovery collar that has the perfect fit for your dog or your canine will manage to take off its collar on its own. If you get the wrong size, your dog may also hurt its stitches or wound accidentally. Some collars connect to the usual collar of dogs, which helps a lot in fitting more accurately.
Unrestricting
This might seem to you as counter-intuitive as you want a collar to keep your dog from biting and licking its wound; however, you don't want the medical collar to restrict the animal from sleeping, eating, and drinking. After injury or surgery, the dog must eat, drink, and sleep as much as it possibly can. The collar that lets it do all these things without strain is what we highly recommend.
Comfort
One of the reasons why we made sure that we listed all the reliable dog cones and e-collars currently available in the market is because not all cones offer a canine comfort, which is absolutely necessary. Your dog is in pain or at least uncomfortable after sustaining an injury, which means ensuring its comfort while it’s recovering will go a long way.
Durability
Your dog will wear its collar for days or even weeks. If your pet has a nasty rash or wound or it tends to pick and lick in general, then it has to wear the cone for even longer. You want your purchase to last long which is why it’s necessary for you to get a durable collar. The products we listed above are all long-lasting and will prevent your dog from destroying or ripping its collar.
The last thing that you want to see when you come home is your pet hurting itself because its medical collar has broken down or got ripped into pieces. To get a collar that you can rely on completely, choose any of our picks or check customer reviews.
Storability
Your dog doesn't have to wear its e-collar forever. As soon as it has healed, you would want to store the collar away in case you need it later. A collar that can be rolled or deflated (for an inflatable collar) is easier to store compared to the ones that are bulky.
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