The Best Dog Recovery Cones
Our dogs are important to us. We love them more than almost anything else, and in return, they love us unconditionally. Sometimes our fluffy companions need to have surgery. This may be for routine spaying or neutering, illness, or even because your puppy got into the socks again. It is also possible for your dog to have allergies or irritations that are causing them to chew and scratch to the point of injury. No matter the reason, when we need to keep a dog's face away from the rest of its body, we need to use some kind of cone. Here are the best cones and cone alternatives that will make it easy to help your beloved pup recover comfortably.
The Original Comfy Cone
Gone are the days when the only option we had as pet owners was to force our pups to wear uncomfortable and unwieldy plastic cones. Now we have a ton of options. One of the first alternatives to become available was the Comfy Cone. The Comfy Cone is still one of the top choices for veterinarians and pet parents everywhere for good reason.
The Comfy Cone takes the concept of a plastic cone but makes some very big adjustments. Instead of hard sides that bump into everything and cause the dog pain, the sides are made up of a durable and washable fabric with foam inside to hold its structure. This prevents the dog from hurting itself or getting stuck while trying to walk around.
Pros:
- The flexibility of this cone makes it super durable. It can be worn like a traditional cone or flipped down over the body to protect chest and back wounds.
- Not only does this come in a range of individual sizes, but each one also offers a ton of adjustability. There’s really an option for every dog.
- Unlike hard plastic cones, this one can be worn while sleeping with no impact on comfort.
Cons:
- Though durable, the thick padding of this cone can be uncomfortable for dogs in hot weather.
Inflatable Dog Collar and Recovery Cone
Not a chew toy
Everyone knows that when you have a small apartment or home and limited space everything needs to be downsized. Large traditionally shaped cones will run into walls and furniture which can restrict a dog’s movement and get them frustrated. The frustration turns into destructive behavior. So how do you combat this when you still need to protect your pup from harming itself? You get the Inflatable Dog Collar and Recovery Cone.
The Inflatable Dog Collar and Recovery Cone are shaped like a donut. It inflates until it is firm and wide enough that your dog cannot turn its head enough to reach its own body. This is an excellent alternative to a larger plastic cone because it still allows the dog to eat, drink, and sleep while still preventing injury.
Pros:
- We love that, unlike regular cones, this collar won’t obstruct our dog’s periphery vision, so they can roam the house with ease.
- It fits easily on the neck, including over collars.
- We love the inflatable design, which makes it easy to pack up and store away until our pet’s next surgery.
Cons:
- Dogs with very long legs can still chew their feet while wearing this collar.
Alfie Pet Noah Recovery Collar
Pint-sized protection
Because most cones and recovery collars are made for average-sized and large dogs, those with toy breeds tend to have trouble finding what they need for their precious little pooches. What do you do when you have a five-pound Chihuahua and the smallest cone you can find is rated for a 15-pound Bichon? You get the Noah Recovery Collar from Alfie Pet.
The Noah Recovery Collar has several sizes, the smallest of which fits a tiny six-inch neck girth. It is absolutely adorable with its lion’s mane features and velcro closures. This cone is great for your little pup after any type of surgery or when you are trying to keep it from chewing on and scratching itself.
Pros:
- While most cones make our dogs look like medical patients, this one makes them look like cute little lions.
- The material is really soft and comfortable, so we don’t mind leaving this on our pooch for long periods.
- The velcro is surprisingly heavy-duty, and can also be adjusted depending on the size of your dog.
Cons:
- Fabric cones like this block the dog’s periphery vision, making it difficult for them to find their way around.
Surgi-Snuggly E-Collar Alternative Body Suit
Suit up
Sometimes a cone just won’t cut it. Maybe you have a dog with severe allergies and you need a more long-term way to keep its skin safe. Perhaps they had extensive surgery and you need to protect their body from all kinds of outside contamination. The Surgi-Snuggly is the perfect alternative for you and your best buddy.
The Surgi-Snuggly is a bodysuit for dogs that was invented by a veterinarian as a way to protect them from infection while also providing anxiety relief. It is made of antimicrobial materials and has a very distinctive anti-anxiety effect on pets. It has a flap that can be moved for your dog to be able to relieve itself and then put back to prevent your dog from licking and chewing its most sensitive areas.
Pros:
- We especially recommend this for active dogs, since it won’t restrict their movement as a traditional cone would.
- It’s great that there are many different sizes available, including both for large and small dog breeds.
- This isn’t meant to be a fashion piece, but we still appreciate that it comes in a range of colors so we can find one to match our current dog gear.
Cons:
- This won’t help if the dog chews its feet and paws
- You need to be extra careful to adjust the suit to let the dog go potty
Kong EZ Soft Collar
Recovery on a budget
If you’re worried about your dog marking up your floors and furniture with a cone, try this one from Kong. Unlike traditional hard plastic models, this cone is constructed of soft but durable fabric, keeping it from doing any damage to your home. The flexible design also means it’s less stressful for your pooch to wear since it allows a wider range of motion and is more comfortable to sleep in. And while the limited sizing only makes this suitable for small dog breeds, it can also be used on cats during recovery from surgery.
Pros:
- We feel more comfortable leaving this on our pet for longer periods of time thanks to the soft, flexible construction.
- We love that the whole thing is machine washable, making it super easy to clean.
- This is great for puppies that have just been neutered or spayed.
Cons:
- It’s not as effective as hard cones since some dogs will find a way to scratch while wearing them.
Our Tips and Tricks
Cones can be used for many reasons, but what it all comes down to is safety. Cones are used to preventing your pet from injuring itself, whether by licking and infecting a wound or by scratching and reopening it after surgery. Still, though dog cones are designed to necessarily restrict your pup’s movement, that doesn’t mean they have to be uncomfortable. Some dog cones are now made of flexible fabric material that can allow your pup a greater range of motion than a traditional plastic model. There are also dog collars, a variation of the dog cone that doesn’t obstruct your pet’s peripheral vision. There are even full-body dogs suits that can be worn in the place of, or in addition to, traditional dog cones. Whichever dog cone you choose, make sure it’s appropriate for your pup, both in terms of size and in terms of protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What would happen if I choose not to use a cone for recovery?
There is no clear-cut answer, but there is a very high risk that your pet could chew open any stitches or it may just continue to further injure itself. Allergies and hot spots are some common issues that can cause a dog to rip its own skin open.
Can cones prevent my dog from eating or drinking water?
Some of them can, but we tried our best to only list recovery devices that allow your dog to eat, drink, and go potty as usual.
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