Did your cat recently undergo surgery? You’re looking for cones, and the best alternatives to cones for cats. Whether it was for a spay, an injury, or a different type or procedure, your cat may need some help remembering not to lick her wounds. A cat cone or elizabethan collar can help!
But what is the best kind of cone for your cat? What are the best alternatives to cones for cats? Keep scrolling for all your options.
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| Product Image | Product Name / Price / Pros / Cons | Primary Button |
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Best Alternative to Cone |
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#1 Lightweight Option |
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Funniest |
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Cute & Comfy |
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Best for Limb Injuries |
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Best for Paw Problems |
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- Great for stubborn cats who will try to pull off an E-collar
- Great for cats who have trouble maneuvering while wearing a large collar
- Great for cats who are frightened by wearing a cone
- May be difficult to put on an upset cat
- Velcro makes adjusting the size simple
- Soft sides and lightweight material
- Your cat may have difficulty eating, drinking while wearing it
- Your cat might try to remove it
- This soft collar will be less likely to tug and pull at your cat's neck than a plastic collar
- Your cat may have difficulty eating and drinking while wearing this collar
- Inflatable, washable, and comfortable
- Some cats may feel comfortable and some cats may not feel comfortable wearing this collar
- The adjustable strap and buckle makes this collar adjustable without velcro
- Some cats may slip out of it easily due to the strap design
- If your cat's injury is on a limb, covering the injury may be more effective than a collar.
- If your cat's injury is not on a limb, this will not help
- If your cat's injury is on a paw, this is an easier way to protect it
- This bandage may get dirty from your cat walking around
- Your cat may try to remove this bandage
Reasons your cat might need a Cone
Collars are temporary measures to prevent a cat from licking, biting, or scratching at an injury. As mentioned above, if your cat has undergone surgery, she will need to avoid irritating the surgical site as it heals. Healing wounds and injuries can be itchy, so a collar will provide a barrier to stop her from scratching or biting the location.
Please note that none of this is a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Consult your vet any time your cat has any sort of injury.
Alternatives to Cones for cats
Depending on the type and location of the injury, a shirt or recovery suit may protect the site better. A bandage might protect the injury effectively while it heals. If the injury is on a limb, a recovery sleeve might get the job done, or a bootie might be your best bet. Liquid bandages are available as well, though they offer very limited protection. Talk to your vet about the best alternatives to recovery cones for your cat.
Cat Recovery Suit for Abdominal Wounds This post-surgery recovery suit will keep kitty warm if she was shaved. It has comfortable elastic bands around the neck and limbs.
Types of cat recovery collars
There are several types of cat collars available depending on your situation.
Cheapest DIY Elizabethan collar for Cats
A paper plate makes a cheap, easy, and effective Elizabethan collar for cats in many situations. This works especially well with kittens recovering from spay surgery.
You will need:
- Scissors
- A flexible paper plate
- A stapler
Grab a thin, flexible paper plate, and cut in from one side to the center. Make a small circle in the center for your kitty’s neck. Then, apply the collar gently to the kitty, and staple twice to keep in place.
Making this type of collar only takes a few minutes. The size can be customized exactly to your cat, and it is very lightweight.
When the e-collar gets food or water on it, it will get gross quickly and it cannot be wiped clean. However, you can easily remove it by tearing the paper, and replace it with a new one in seconds.
Depending on the size of your plates, the size of the cat, and the location of the injury, a paper collar may not be effective enough at preventing access to the site of injury. Paper collars are great for kittens or small cats getting spayed who will quickly soil any type of collar, and who only need to wear it for a few days. If your cat is larger or will need to wear the collar for longer than a few days, you may find a better option below.
Plastic Cones
E-Collars made of plastic are easy to clean, and effective at keeping a cat or kitten from accessing its injury. Good quality plastic collars are lightweight and highly adjustable for comfort.
Due to the shape and material, this collar can be cumbersome and difficult for the cat or kitten to move around with. Eating, drinking, and other movement and activities can be more difficult because the collar does not fit in small spaces. The wide edge may get caught on objects.
Soft material cat cones
A soft collar is likely to be more comfortable than a plastic collar for your cat. They are made of cotton or polyester, and come in cute colors and patterns. The soft material will pick up dirt faster than a hard plastic, and they won’t wipe clean as easily. However, this e-collar should be washable by hand or in the washing machine. Because of this, it may be prudent to pick up 2 collars of this type so once a day one you can clean the dirty one while your cat wears a fresh one.
Soft Cat Recovery Collar Unlike other hard plastic cone, this soft recovery collar make your cats more comfortable, and well-protect pets from injuries, rashes and wounds. It will prevent pets from biting and licking their injured area and promote recovering from wounds
Depending on the construction, this type of collar may be even heavier than the plastic version, making it difficult for your cat to maneuver around his food and water bowls, and other necessary activities.
Pillow Cones
Pillow cones are a type of cat cone that is shaped like a little donut pillow. It doesn’t provide as much coverage as a cone-shaped e-collar, but it’s a lot easier for your cat to maneuver around in. It will be less in-the-way, and therefore less likely to get dirty during your cat’s daily activities. And best of all, it’s much more comfortable and pleasant to wear than some of the options.
Adjustable Cat Cone Collar | Soft Pillow Style This thick, pillowy e-colllar allows your cat to eat, drink and lick her paws while preventing access to the abdominal area. And it comes in a variety of cute fruity styles.
Inflatable round elizabethan collars
These collars inflate like a little plastic inner tube around your kitty’s neck. They provide just enough limitation of movement that the cat won’t be able to reach most areas. However, it may not provide enough coverage if your cat is very determined. The soft cover detaches from the interior for washing. This type of collar is lightweight because it is filled with air.
Protective Inflatable Collar for Dogs and Cats The Recovery Collar use plastic buckle to connect, which is durable and stable. Adjust it for a perfect size for your cat!
