Elizabethan Dog Collar Alternative

Instead of looking regal like Queen Elizabeth I decked out in all her finery with a stiff, lace ruff circling her neck, a dog wearing an Elizabethan dog collar comes off looking like an alien trying to catch radio waves from space. The plastic cone collar worn by dogs is well-intentioned and is a vital preventative measure to keep dogs from licking surgical wounds or sore spots on their bodies. It's natural for dogs to want to ease the pain of an incision, bite or sore by repeatedly licking the wound, but too much licking can retard healing, and in many cases, make the wound much worse. While many dogs will tolerate an Elizabethan collar well after a day or two, some dogs refuse to eat or drink while wearing the collar and have an extremely hard hard time adjusting to it. Fortunately, there are alternative solutions for those dogs, or for dog owners who can't bring themselves to place an Elizabethan collar on their dog.

Pants, Shorts or Socks

A temporary alternative to an Elizabethan collar is to slip a small pair of shorts or pants over a dog's hind end to cover the problem area. Of course, the shorts or pants need to be snug enough around the dog's waist, so pants with a drawstring or sturdy elastic are the best choice. Despite the elastic or drawstring, the pants may still slip off the dog, exposing the wound, so some pet owners attach a string or ribbon to the waistband and tie the other end to the dog's regular collar. If the wound is on the dog's paw or leg, a sock slipped over the dog's leg can often solve the problem. As with the shorts or pants, the sock will need to be secured with ties around the dog's body to prevent slippage.

Paper-like Collars

Part of the problem with conventional Elizabethan dog collars is the fact that they're made of a stiff, hard plastic. Not only do the plastic cones make it hard for some dogs to sleep or lie down, they also catch on furniture, knock household items over as the collared dog wanders through the house, and can chafe a dog's neck. Soft, paper-like e-collars have the same function as plastic collars, but are more comfortable and flexible for the dog, and easier on walls, door frames and fragile items around the house. Laminated, paper-like e-collars fasten around the dog's head with either a drawstring or Velcro tabs.

Brace-Type Collars

A banded collar of flexible plastic and foam is also available as an alternative to the e-collar. The collar acts as a neck brace and limits range of motion of the dog's head. The flexible brace comes in a range of sizes and fastens snugly with Velcro. It fits just behind a dog's ears, extending all the way to the shoulders, and has the added security of a harness strap that circle's the dog's chest.

Inflatable Collars

Similar to inflatable neck pillows used by human travellers, inflatable alternatives to Elizabethan dog collars completely cushions a dog's neck, restricting neck movement. A durable material covers the inflated bladder, and the collar is adjusted using a Velcro strap on the underside of the collar. An accurate neck measurement is needed to ensure a proper fit.

Neoprene Body Suits

For certain dog breeds and for dogs that stubbornly manage to find a way to reach their wounds despite all other preventive measures, the neoprene body suit may be the only viable solution as an alternative to the Elizabethan dog collar. Some pet owners prefer to choose the body suit as the first course of action, as it provides full protection for hot spots and wounds. The stretchy material conforms to a dog's body and allows complete mobility. Partial suits are for upper torso wounds are also available.

References

• Top Five E-Collars Worth Investigating
• Alternatives to an E-Collar
• Shorts Instead of an Elizabethan Collar--A Better Approach?

Resources

• New Alternative to the" E-Collar"
• Soft Elizabethan Collar
• Elizabethan Pro Collar for Dogs