How to Secure an Elizabethan Collar on a Dog With No Collar
An Elizabethan collar, or E-collar, is a lightweight plastic cone that fits around a dog's head to prevent her from biting or licking an incision, or to prevent her from scratching or rubbing at a facial injury. If your dog has had an injury or surgery, your veterinarian has probably given you one. They're also available at pet stores. While they typically have 3 or 4 loops designed to be fitted over a regular dog collar, there are several ways of fastening them if your dog doesn't wear a collar.
Things You'll Need
- Elizabethan dog collar
- Twine, gauze, or lightweight rope
- Dog treats
- Friend or partner
Instructions
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1
Roll the Elizabethan collar into a cone shape and fasten the plastic tabs into the slots. Elizabethan collars come in a flat piece of flexible curved plastic and have to be rolled into shape.
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2
Thread some twine, gauze or lightweight rope through the loops, leaving enough slack to tie a knot.
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3
Slide the collar over your dog's head until it's comfortably around her neck. If her head shape is such that you can't slide it on, offer her some treats to encourage her to stay still, or have a friend distract her while you fit the collar around her head.
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4
Check the collar and make sure it's not so tight that it's cutting into her fur, and not so loose that it's flopping down over the top of her head. It should be snug enough that you can slide a finger underneath it.
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5
Tie the gauze or twine so the collar remains snug, but not too tight.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Depending on the style of Elizabethan collar you have, you may not even need to tie it. Even without a regular collar, some will stay closed quite snugly.
Make sure your dog can drink and eat while wearing the collar. You may have to hold food and water up to her head if she can't reach a bowl, and wipe debris from the collar when she is finished.
If she accepts having the collar taken on and off without a fuss, remove it while she eats, then put it back on when she is finished.
