If your dog has recently gone through major surgery, you probably don’t want it licking that area and interfering with the healing process. But we all know how tenacious dogs can be when it comes to something that bothers them — they will always find ways to lick and scratch something that’s irritating them. Below is a list of DIY dog cones that pet owners can make from everyday objects they may already have at home.
What are DIY Cones?
A plastic Elizabethan collar or E-cone, isn’t so commonly used for dogs, but they do serve a crucial purpose. Most of the time, they’re simply called “cones” due to the way they look — traditional dog cones will come in a cone shape that allows dogs to drink and eat easily. Generally, these plastic cones are placed around your dog’s neck to stop them from licking wounds or reopening the stitches from a surgical procedure.
Below we list some of the best DIY dog cone ideas that can help to provide a great alternative to the traditional cone to help both cats and dogs quickly recuperate while saving you some cash.
Plastic Dog Cone
When constructing a homemade dog cone alternative, using hard plastic can be a great idea; all you need to do is dip your plastic flower pot or plastic buckets in warm water with soap. Be sure to scrub it thoroughly to eliminate any chemicals that could trigger allergic reactions and cause skin irritation. Now make a hole around the size of your dog’s head at the bottom part and squeeze your flower pot through until it reaches your dog’s neck.
Bucket Collar
While this method may sound crazy, it’s actually suitable for all dog sizes, including small dogs. However, it’s a good idea to measure the size of the hole first before you make this, and remember to give some allowance so the ears can get past the hole. To ensure that your pup isn’t hurt, don’t forget to sand down any sharp edges and put the bucket on your dog so that the pointed parts face out.
Neck Pillow
When your dog’s looking for a homemade dog cone collar that’s a better option compared to the dreaded cone of shame, you can always use one of your old neck pillows. For your DIY project, you can turn this sleeping aid into a comfy dog cone that can support their neck whenever they rest or sleep. Plus, it can also stop the infection of your dog’s wounds through licking while limiting access to other parts of their body.
Soft Recovery Collars or Neck Restrictors
If you have smaller dogs with short legs, then these cone alternatives are perfect and will allow them to eat, drink, and move without restraint. Be sure to measure your dog’s head, neck, and ears to determine the size you need, and don’t forget to provide allowance to accommodate for the thickness of the foam. Use a Velcro strip to help fasten this DIY option around your pet’s neck and make the necessary adjustments until it provides a cozy fit.
Towel Dog Cone
Another great way to create a comfy cone for your dog is to use old towels, such as a beach towel laying around your house. Because towel collars are very similar to the suggestion above, this option won’t be able to stop your dog from licking its paws, and your dog may be able to chew it off; using a thick towel might help. Even so, you can use a towel dog collar for emergency purposes whenever you need your dog to stop focusing on its injuries while you take it to the vet.
Butter Tub Collar
Much like many other items found in your household, you can turn butter tubs into a dog’s collar. Using a big empty tub of peanut butter along with a marker, a knife or a pair of scissors, and duct tape, you can create another pet cone option that your dog will love! You can do this by looking for a tub big enough for your dog’s head, then punch a hole through it and place it around your dog’s neck.
Egg Crate E-cones
If you want an option that’s sturdier and more durable compared to the towel cone, then this is a good alternative since your dog won’t be able to chew it off quickly. However, you may find it’s more difficult to construct compared to the other options — first, you’ll need to gather the following items:
- Velcro strip
- Thread
- Needle
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Felt
- Egg crate
Start making your egg crate cone by sewing the velcro strips to your chosen material using thread and needle. This will make your collar easy to put on and take off. Next, cut a piece of the felt that has the same measurements as the egg create, then cover it using felt.
Pliable E-Collar
Pet owners can make pliable cone collars out of various materials such as flexible plastics or foam rubber. All you need to do is look for the following items:
- Tape
- Scissors
- Shoelaces
- Marker
- Hole puncher
The great thing about this option is that it’s well-suited for both dogs and cats. Plus, it’s also very easy to gather the materials needed to build it, so you can quickly build it before your pet or foster dog can get to its injuries and make it worse.
Cloth E-cones
Much like the towel DIY, a piece of cloth can be made into an e-cone to use around your dog’s neck. While these won’t be very strong and won’t offer much as a protective cone, they are very soft and will make your dog feel comfortable during transportation. This soft collar can collapse quickly so it’s not the best way to contain an avid licker — instead, use this on dogs with small heads that won’t move and turn so much.
Pool Noodle Collar
While it may not be the most popular choice, it’s still just as effective as the other DIY solutions above, plus it’s so easy to make! Just get a hold of these household tools to get started on your pool noodle dog collar:
- Measuring tape
- Pool noodle rope
- A pair of scissors
Because it can come together in as little as 10 minutes, it’s easily one of the best choices for an alternative to your protective collar or neck control collar. And because you’ll be making it from the ground up from the comfort of your living room, you can customize it any way you want to ensure it fits your dog. Whether you want to make it out of small pieces or make it bigger for thinner necks is up to you — you’ll still end up with a great result that’s comfortable and durable.
Cardboard Collar
You can get started with this option by looking for a cardboard box, then take your dog’s existing collar and fold it to make a stencil for the new DIY collar. Next, measure the circumference of your dog’s head and neck to ensure that they will fit inside the cardboard collar. To ensure that it can be easily removed, punch a small hole and attach a string to it, and use this on large dogs so that they can’t take it off quickly.
Make Your DIY Dog Cones Today
When your best friend is in the middle of recovery, you don’t want anything to hinder their progress — instead, you’ll want to do everything in your power to ensure that everything runs along smoothly. The first thing you need to remember is to prepare special treats that will help them get used to their new accessory until they’re well enough to have them removed. If you prefer using homemade solutions for dog cones, any of the options above should be able to help.
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