We're having our cat spayed in a couple of weeks. After our other pets were fixed, they wore those big funnel-shaped collars to keep them from biting their stitches. They didn't like that much at all. Are there any other kinds of collars?
Ah, yes, you're talking about the Elizabethan collar, dubbed the "cone of shame" by Dug, the goofy canine hero of the animated movie Up. My cats and dogs didn't care for wearing the clunky collar either, although one cat adapted rather well and even managed to appear graceful as she bumped about the house.
There are alternatives to the Elizabethan collar, although the firm plastic collar is still the go-to solution for preventing pets from biting and licking sutures, pawing and clawing itchy ears, and scratching at injuries while they're healing.
An article at Vetstreet.com mentions the BiteNot collar, which looks exactly like a neck brace. Still, it's more attractive and less cumbersome than the so-called cone of shame.
The plastic-and-foam BiteNot's design keeps an animal from bending its neck, which can make a cat or dog unable to reach wounds and stitches on the chest, upper legs, stomach, back, posterior and base of the tail. However, the collar doesn't protect an animal's ears, eyes and lower portion of the legs. If you'd like to see photos and get more information about the brace, go to bitenot.net.
Inflatable collars are another option. The KONG Cloud Collar, for example, is a pillowlike device that looks like the neck pillows many people use when traveling on airplanes.
The KONG collar is touted as a comfortable alternative to hard plastic cone collars, and its plush fabric cover is machine-washable. While the collar won't interfere with eating or drinking, it can get messy if the animal dips into water and food bowls at mealtime. The plastic Elizabethan collar, on the other hand, can simply be wiped clean when necessary.
Inflatable collars come in extra-small to extra-large sizes so there's something for most cats and dogs. The Vetstreet article notes, however, that these collars aren't suitable for destructive, big dogs -- the ones that like to gut their stuffed toys. Also, a determined pet can pop an inflatable collar with a precisely placed claw.
For pets that need a firm collar and are calm about wearing one, consider a lightweight fabric model such as the ElizaSoft Recovery Collar. If a pet is serious about interfering with a wound, this might not prevent it but it's a reasonably durable option for laid-back cats and dogs. While it looks just as bulky, it's lighter than the plastic Elizabethan collar and might be more comfortable.
An article in the June issue of Catnip suggests that finding the right collar for a pet is a matter of trial and error. Whatever style you choose, however, the important thing is that the collar do its job and keep your pet from impeding its recovery. The collar also should be long enough to prevent the cat from licking its wound, but short enough so that it's still possible to eat and drink. The proper length is usually just past the end of the nose.
When a pet is wearing his collar, the owner needs to keep watch over him. Cats and dogs can get themselves into amusing but potentially dangerous predicaments. One of my cats got behind a recliner while wearing the Elizabethan collar and found himself unable to move forward or backward; he was happy to be rescued. That same cat also managed to pull out stitches on his lower belly while he was wearing his collar, which meant an emergency trip to the veterinarian. To ensure there wasn't a second incident, my cat had to wear a longer collar for the duration of his recovery.
We wish your cat a speedy, uncomplicated recovery and no feelings of shame while wearing the cone or any other type of protective collar.
Family on 06/15/2016