Beyond the cone of shame

I had just finished suturing the incision on the Shih Tzu’s right hip. Now came the tactical planning:  How could I keep Snookie from tearing out her stitches and mutilating the surgical site?

By far the most common post-op solution to prevent dogs or cats from destroying sutures is the Elizabethan collar, or E-collar. I’ve heard many names for this much-hated apparatus: cone of shame, lampshade, satellite dish, and #@*&! torture device!

I don’t blame our cone-phobic clients. When my last dog needed an E-collar after a surgery, he banged against woodwork, tripped going up the stairs, scooped up mulch from the garden, and delivered countless sharp assaults to my poor, bruised shins (even after I finally resorted to wearing blue jeans in the hot summer weather). 

I’ve heard many a tale of E-collar disasters. There are dogs who make it their mission to knock every knick-knack off shelves and tables, spend countless hours rolling and pawing at the cone, or dramatically howl in mental agony until their spent owners relent and take it off. But the alternatives are worse:  torn-out sutures that need to be redone, self-induced painful hot spots from itching or licking, or bandages that get shredded and eaten, possibly causing an intestinal obstruction.

I can’t say the dreaded E-collar is a thing of the past, but alternative products that prevent self-mutilation in pets have become a cottage industry. Go to any veterinary convention hall, and you’ll find vendors hawking innovative items that often originated at the founder’s home sewing machine.

Sometimes surgery is a last-minute affair, or an angry, infected hot spot must be protected immediately; you won’t have time to surf the Internet for the perfect protective cover-up or contraption. That’s why we have a respectable inventory of E-collars and E-collar alternatives. But if your pet has upcoming elective surgery and you want to forgo the cone, with a little forethought you can choose the perfect substitute from our animal hospital, a pet store, or online. Here are my picks of the best ones, including the ones we have on hand. Prices may vary widely, so do your due diligence.

Medical Pet Shirts   
(Available at Vernon Hills Animal Hospital)

Dogs (11 sizes), cats (5 sizes), rabbits (6 sizes) 

$34.50-$39

They’re made of a breathable, stretchy cotton/lycra fabric, which provides good freedom of movement. They come in two styles, full-body or front-only coverage, with optional add-on front and hind leg sleeves.

For dogs, you’ll need to unsnap and fold up the bottom half when they go outside. The shirts can remain fastened for the majority of cats when they use the litter box.

The availability of many sizes makes these our go-to post-surgical garment. 

Surgical Recovery Suits for dogs and Suits for Cats by Suitical  
(Available at pet stores and online)

Dogs (10 sizes) and cats (4 sizes) 

$35-$40

These are similar to Medical Pet Shirts, although they don’t offer a hind leg sleeve or a front-only option. Both companies have very similar front leg sleeves. Most cats can use the litter box without having to remove the cover-up, an essential feature. As with Medical Pet Shirts, the rear side of the suit should be rolled up when you walk your dog.

Quick Covers 
Not pictured
(Available at Vernon Hills Animal Hospital)

Dogs (12 sizes)  

$34-$62

These are compression garments made for veterinary use. They come in a variety of front and rear sizes, as well as male and female versions. Despite all the options, we find that some of our patients fall between sizes, or that the large openings for the legs sometimes don’t cover the incision. But with a top Velcro closure, they’re fairly easy to take on and off. Very nice for when compression of an incision or wound is desirable.

Bite Not Collar® 

(Available at Vernon Hills Animal Hospital and online)

Dogs (7 sizes) and cats (2 sizes) 
$26-$37

This is similar to a neck brace and may not appeal to some pet owners, but it allows unimpeded peripheral vision and seems to be fairly comfortable. It’s made of flexible plastic and foam, and it’s machine washable. The harness strap helps keep it on. We find that pets can still reach their lower legs and tail with these, and it seems that more than a few dogs fall in between the available sizes. Although Bite Not Collars are also made to fit cats, there are better alternatives out there.

StopBite Collar 



(Available at Vernon Hills Animal Hospital, pet stores, and online)

Dogs, (4 sizes) and cats (2 sizes) 

$20-$35

Think of the Bite Not Collar – on steroids! It uses the same principle, but these are made of tougher plastic and have adjustable snap buckles, which we prefer to the Velcro on the Bite Nots. The limited number of sizes can make a perfect fit difficult.

ZenCollar (Formerly Pro-Collar inflatable collar) 
(Available at Vernon Hills Animal Hospital, at pet stores, and online)

Dogs and cats (6 sizes)

$18-$52

This inflatable doughnut has a sturdy canvas outer layer and an inflatable inner tube. There are Velcro straps on the outside, and fabric loops on the inside that attach to your pet’s collar. Most clients like this product. My only beef is that it can occasionally deflate due to faulty seams, especially with destructive dogs.

Novaguard and Optivisor Recovery Collars 
(Available online)

Dogs (Novaguard: 5 sizes; Optivisor: 6 sizes)

$12-$50

Our clients who have tried these products really like them. They allow dogs to move without getting stuck (great for crates and doggy doors), and the Velcro fastener allows them to fit in a snug manner so they don’t wiggle. They even come tinted for UV ray protection. They can be shortened along stamped grooves at the rim to better fit your dog’s snout length, a very nice feature. Best of all, they don’t cover the ears, which is convenient when ear medications are necessary and which also allows your dog to hear better. And they stay on greyhounds, a breed whose tapering neck and head make keeping E-collars from slipping off a challenge.  

The Optivizor is a smaller version of the Novaguard and is appropriate for use after eye or facial surgery, or for protecting the eyes of blind dogs. It conveniently has a version for dogs with short snouts, such as pugs and bulldogs, and one for long-nosed breeds, such as greyhounds.  

Power Paws by Woodrow Wear 



(Available at Vernon Hills Animal Hospital and online)Dogs (8 sizes plus a greyhound edition for long toes)  

$18-$25 (set of 2)

We originally stocked these to help dogs attain good footing on hard floors, but they’re also useful after foot surgery. They have reinforced toes and are very durable. Some dogs won’t accept having anything on their feet, but most of our canine patients seem to find them comfortable. They can be worn outdoors on dry ground.

Cover Me by Tui  By Tulane’s Closet 

(Available online)

Dogs and cats (7 sizes) 

These soft cotton cover-ups come in a variety of patterns, and in step-in and pullover versions. They are also available in long and short sleeves. There’s a built-in “potty cover” for quick and convenient trips outside. Nicely done!

Anti-Lick Strips 
(Available at Vernon Hills Animal Hospital and online)

Dogs (2 varieties: one for using over bandages, and one for using directly on skin)

$0.50/inch

We usually use these on leg bandages. They’re coated with all-natural ingredients (cayenne pepper, oregano, lemon powder, and clove oil) that taste and smell nasty. They work pretty well, but they don’t always stick as well as we would like them to.

Although the above-mentioned products are commercially available, our creative clients have come up with many of their own post-surgical garments. Thundershirts and doggie shirts can be repurposed to protect healing skin. Human T-shirts and infant onesies can be altered with strategically placed openings to suit your pet.

As for Snookie, the Shih Tzu I mentioned with the incision on her hip? Her owner bought her a pair of sparkly infant tights; a couple of quick snips with scissors to accommodate her tail and allow her to urinate was all it took to make a chic custom garment!