DIY Dog Cones That Provide More Comfort

If your pooch has to wear the “cone of shame,” it’s most likely there to protect them from themselves. The most common reason a pup has to wear a cone is after a surgical procedure, to protect them from festering with the healing process. While the purpose of these cones is excellent, they aren’t always the best for your pup. For some dogs, they’re too heavy and restrict their movement when walking. Or maybe the plastic material causes them irritation. Whatever the issue is, if your pooch has trouble living a happy life with a traditional cone – here are some DIY options to consider that will still get the job done.

Pantyhose or Thigh High Socks

If you have a small dog, this DIY can work wonders.

Materials Needed:

• Ruffle-hemmed thigh-high stockings, pantyhose, or tights
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Before you begin cutting up your pantyhose or sock – check to ensure it fits comfortably over your pup’s head and can be slipped on without too much resistance.
• Also, test out the stretchiness of the fabric to ensure it won’t be too tight on your furry friend’s neck.
• Lay the sock or pantyhose out on a flat surface and cut about six inches from the top (or opening) so that you end up with holes on both ends
• If you’re working with a full pair of paint holes, you’ll need to start by cutting one of the legs off right at thigh height.
• Slip the 6-inch tube over your pup’s head, folding and scrunching it as needed for effectiveness.

Pool Noodles

With just a pool noodle and some twine you can create a quite fashionable necklace that also doubles as a recovery collar

Materials Needed:

• Pool Noodle
• Tick Twine or a Dog Collar
• Serrated Knife

Instructions:

• Measure the circumference of your dog’s neck
• Now measure out the twine to be about two or three inches longer than that
• If you have a dog collar that will work, then you can skip those steps entirely
• Cut small sections (about 2-4 inches wide) of the pool noodle with a serrated knife
• Loop the noodle sections through either the twine or the collar
• Keep adding pieces until it’s full and resembles a beaded necklace
• Then either tie the twine or buckle the collar

Towels

They say you fix just about anything with duct tape – well, add a towel, and you just might be able to fix your dog’s cone problem.

Materials 

• A human assistant/helper
• Soft, thick towel
• Duct Tape
• A plate of dog-safe peanut butter (to keep Fido occupied and distracted)
• Scissors

Instructions:

• Pick a towel size that best suits and matches your pup’s size
• Fold the yowl into thirds, lengthwise
• Now with that peanut butter and human helper, carefully wrap the towel around your pup’s neck – making sure it’s not too tight
• Then secure the towel with duct tape
• Scissors may be used if you feel like you need to shorten the towel

Online Alternatives

Now, if you don’t consider yourself to be an extremely crafty person, consider buying plush recovery collars online. There are even super cute ones out there that can make your pup look like a lion or a sunflower. There’s even a brand called All Four Paws that created what they call “the Comfy Cone.”

If the typical recovery cones or “cones of shame” just aren’t doing it for your pooch, or are causing them extreme discomfort to the point of visible sorrow – you should probably try something else. And luckily there are plenty of alternatives for you to choose from!