When your pet is recovering from surgery, they need TLC; they don’t need to become a laughingstock by shoving their heads in the dreaded “Cone of Shame,” or “Elizabethan collar.” Almost all pets hate that stiff plastic cone that goes around their neck, preventing them from licking or tearing out their stitches. In addition to looking uncomfortable, the cone of shame limits their field of vision, and makes it harder for them to eat or drink.
The good news is that there are more comfortable alternatives to the cone of shame, which will leave you and your pet feeling a little bit calmer.
Dress your pet in a onesie, not a cone of shame
One of the simplest alternatives for the cone of shame is to dress your cat or small dog in a onesie. A onesie will provide full coverage for your pet, covering their torso, preventing them from licking or tearing at any stitches. It’s also a far more adorable option.
When it comes to putting your pet in a onesie, you’ll need to pick the right size. When I tried this out on my cats, my 11-pound cat needed a nine-month onesie, while my 17-pound cat needed an 18-month onesie. (As you can see from the following photo, Cement, my 17-pound cat, looked very grouchy in his onesie, but that is nothing new.)
Photo: Rachel Fairbank
Depending on where the stitches are, you might need a full onesie, one that snaps at the bottom, for which you’ll need to cut out a hole for the tail, or if you don’t need quite as much coverage, you can use a baby shirt, which would cover the shoulders and upper stomach.
You might also need to modify the onesie slightly to make sure it fits comfortably, by using scissors to open up the arm or neck holes, or by pinning the torso for a snugger fit.
Recovery onesies for dogs and cats
How to make a pet onesie from an old t-shirt
If you’re a DIY person, you can cut up an old t-shirt to create a post-surgical suit for your pet. For this option, you’ll cut out a large square of fabric, cut four holes for the arms and legs, position your cat or small dog in the leg/arm holes, then use safety pins to fasten everything.
You’ll need to customize the leg and arm holes for your pet, and when it comes to pinning the suit, you’ll want to pin along the top of your pet, rather than the abdomen, for comfort’s sake. If your pet is patient enough, you can try using a darning needle and some yarn to stitch the jacket into place, in place of safety pins. (You’ll have to cut them out of the jacket, but that’s why you use an old t-shirt.)
Other post-surgery collars for your pet
There are some store-bought alternatives to the stiff plastic collar. Some of these options include a soft collar, which fastens around your pet’s neck, as well as an inflatable collar.
So when your pet gets home from the vet, looking pitiful because of their recent surgery, you’ll have some more comfortable (and adorable) options for them, rather than adding to their indignity with a cone of shame. Just make sure to take a photo.
