E collars, lovingly called the cone of shame, attach to your pet's regular collar, or by threading a ribbon or string through the slots to tie around your pet's neck.
Put the cone on
Lure your dog's head through the cone again with a treat. Once his head is in place, treat him while you adjust and affix the cone around his neck. Make sure the cone is neither too loose nor too tight.
Put the cone over the head like you would if you were putting on a shirt. Check that your dogs' ears are inside the cone. When you tighten the cone, you want to make sure two to three fingers can fit between the rim and your dog's neck.
Having a rolled blanket or pillow to prop their coned head on can be much more comfortable. Lots of rewards. Provide lots of positive reinforcement when they're calm and relaxed in the cone. Treats and affection help to show them they're doing the right thing and eases their tension.
While they might not be at all happy about it, pets can eat, sleep, go to the toilet, and play while wearing the E Collar. You can even take your dog walking, if he is well enough.
Yes – dogs can sleep, eat, drink, pee, and poop with a cone on. In fact, the stricter you are with the cone (officially called an Elizabethan collar or E-collar for short), the quicker your dog will get used to it.
Experts suggest that you should keep a dog's cone on for at least 10-14 days after surgery. This is because most of the sutures and staples are left in for 10-14 days. By day 5, the cone can be taken off for short periods under your direct supervision. However, it's best to leave it on around the clock.
If your dog just can't seem to get the hang of eating with the cone on, it's okay to take it off. Supervise him closely as he eats, then put it back on right afterward. If he tries to get at his wound or sutures, put it back on immediately. Never take his collar off when he won't be within sight, even at night.
If your dog normally eats or drinks from a deep bowl but refuses to eat with the collar on, try offering food in a shallow dish or plate. If you feel you must remove the protective collar, make sure your dog is supervised while eating, and replace it as soon as the meal is finished.
Owners reported that stressed cats and dogs can go off their food, develop odd behaviours and, in a quarter of cases, badly injure or even choke themselves. Now veterinary experts, who have carried out the first ever research into the cone's side effects, have recommended that they are used as a last resort.
Alternatives to the “cone of shame” are inflatable collars, soft E-collars and neck brace collars. Try covering the wound with soft fabric secured by medical tape to prevent licking. Keep pets busy with other fun things to distract them from licking wounds.
You should avoid taking off your dog's cone while they are sleeping, as they are designed to allow dogs to sleep normally. It may take them some time to get used to, and it may be tempting to remove it to help them sleep more comfortably, but cones should be kept on as long as possible, including at night.
The discomfort caused by spay or neuter surgeries usually only lasts a few days and should be gone after a week. If your pet is experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a couple of days you should contact your vet to get further advice.
Your pet needs to be kept in an indoor crate/ kennel for most of the day and night for the next 10 days. The time of highest risk for the sutures breaking down is 3-5 days after surgery.
DO NOT alter size or shape of E collar. Cutting it down may do more harm than good. The collar needs to extend beyond the end of the pets nose. It has been fitted for your pet.
Offer Them a Pillow
It can be uncomfortable for your dog to lay its head flat on the ground with a cone on. So, try giving them a pillow where they can rest their head if they choose. As with the bed, the pillow should be long enough to support your dog's head and the length of the cone.
Vets will tell you that the cone should never be removed, even when your dog is sleeping. The cone of shame or E-collar will prevent your dog from chewing and licking the wound which could lead to infection and scarring, or even ingesting any topical medications.
Soft E-Collars
Sometimes the best alternative is the one that is the most similar to the popular option. The soft e-collar uses the same concept as the traditional Elizabethan version, but has a soft cone, which makes it easier for your pet to move.
Stairs are really hard and dangerous for a dog wearing a cone, especially for little dogs wearing a larger cone. I don't give them any opportunity to fall; I either pick them up and carry them up/down, or I get low and help guide them up.
Leaving the E collar on at all times is the best way to get your pet used to it. If you feel bad for your pet and take the cone off, then put it back on when you leave, your pet may take it as a punishment and may try to destroy it. Patients can eat, drink, pee, poop, and sleep with a cone on.