How to make a dog cone out of cardboard

E-cones or Elizabethan collars are not very common in the dog world, but they certainly serve a vital purpose. Very often, they are referred to as ‘cones’ simply because they are designed in the shape of a cone and are crafted in such a way that allows a dog to eat and drink quite easily. But what are they used for? Typically, E-cones are fitted around a dog’s neck to prevent the licking of wounds or interference with surgical incisions. This way, your dog is able to recuperate quickly and without disturbance. If you are after an E-cone but would rather not splash the cash, the below list offers some easy DIY homemade dog collars that are perfect for both dogs and cats:

Cardboard Collar

A simple way of making an E-cone for your dog is by using cardboard. To do this, grab a piece of cardboard and place it on a table. Then take away your dog’s traditional collar and fold it to form a stencil for your dog’s new E-collar. Next, place your dog’s regular collar in the center of the cardboard and mark it out using a dark marker. Then cut the marked circle using a hole puncher and slip the cone-shaped cardboard through your dog’s head. Lastly, hold the edges of the E-cone with a masking tape, so it won’t easily pull off when your dog tries to wriggle its way out of the device.

For easy removal, you can punch little holes in the cardboard dog collar and attach a string or shoelace. Due to the flexible nature of cardboards, your dog can eat, drink, sleep and do anything while wearing the e-cone.

Check out our guides on Flea Collar for Dogs and Leather Dog Collars.

Plastic Collar

Plastic is another great product for constructing an E-cone for your dog. You simply have to dip a plastic flower pot in warm water filled with soap. Then scrub it very well to ensure you get rid of any soil or chemical that might cause allergic reactions on the skin of your pup. Next, create a hole that’s just about the size of your dog’s head on the bottom of the pot and squeeze the flower pot through the head, down to the neck of your dog. Lastly, cut smaller openings around the big one and tie the pot with a string. That’s all! The only thing you need to be aware of is that if your pup is allergic to plastics, it’s best to opt for other e-cone alternatives made with soft fabrics.

Paper Plate Dog E-cones

E-cones are not only designed for grown dogs but also for puppies. And to create an E-collar for your puppy, simply grab paper plate and cut a small hole in the center that’s wide enough to fit your pup’s head. Then, pass it through its head; and voila. The great thing about this method is that your pup won’t be able to reach any wounds that are healing.

Bucket E-cones

The next method might sound crazy but certainly works. You can use a bucket to make a simple E-cone, which is a suitable method for all dog head sizes. However, you will first have to determine the size of the hole by using your dog’s collar. But remember to give a little allowance, so its ears can pass through the hole; then slip your dog’s head through.

In order not to hurt your dog with the somewhat sharp edges of the bucket, it’s vital to sand it down. And preferably, wear the bucket in such a way that the sharp corners are facing out.

Neck Pillow

When travelling in a coach or plane, you’ve probably made use of a neck pillow a couple of times. But you might not be aware that this same sleeping aid can be used to craft out the perfect dog E-cone. This is because the air content found in such pillows help tremendously to support the neck to prevent any strain when sleeping or resting. And the same principle applies to your dog to prevent the access to various parts of its body.

Another great thing about using neck pillows is that they are easy to construct and pose less threat to your carpet, furniture and other interior decorations. If you mistakenly run into your dog wearing a bucket collar, the result might be very painful, unlike using a soft pillow. In addition, neck pillows are easy to detach and insert, unlike other methods where you have to be very careful not to hurt your dog in the process. What’s more, your dog’s view is not obstructed by this device, unlike bucket and plastic E-cones. It can also eat and drink quite normally when worn a neck pillow.

Soft Neck Restrictor

For dogs with short legs, a soft neck dog collar is perfect. This homemade collar allows your dog to move, eat and drink freely. To make a soft neck restrictor right in your living room, the first thing to do is to take the measurements of your dog’s head, ears and neck. This will give you an idea of how wide the E-cone you are creating will be. As a guide, ensure you take the measurement at least twice to obtain a good average. And remember, due to the thickness of the foam you are using, you will have to give a little allowance to accommodate (say five to six inches.) So it won’t cause any discomfort to your dog.

The next step is to sew the edges. But remember to leave a little opening where you will insert the foam. Then use a Velcro to fasten the foam to the flaps, so it can pass through your dog’s neck. It is important to use a wide Velcro to make the restrictor stronger and firm. After this, pass the device through the head of your dog and turn it until it fits properly.

Due to the somewhat ugly nature of E-cones, you can try to construct one that has the same color as your dog. This way, your dog will feel less like a prisoner and more confident. However, we must quickly state that this E-cone is not ideal for dogs that are fond of licking their front legs. Instead, it helps to stop dogs from tilting their heads to touch their bellies and back.

Take a look at our reviews of Dog Knee Braces and Liquid Bandage for Dogs.

Towel Dog Collar

Another affordable way of creating an E-cone for your dog is by using a towel. You will only have to sacrifice one of your towels lying around your house. Towel collars are quite similar to soft neck e-cones; hence, they are not recommended for stopping your dog from reaching its front paws.  The only downside is that even though towel collars are quite helpful in preventing your dog from reaching wounds on its body, your dog can still chew its way out of it. Nevertheless, towel collars can be a quick way of preventing your dog from interfering with its injuries while you take it to a veterinarian immediately.

What’s more, if you have had a dog for quite some time now, you must have realized that dogs can be quite adaptive to things. Hence, it’s important you place the towel collar away from your dog’s reach, so it won’t wear it when you are not around.

Butter Tub Collar

Another way you can create an E-cone is by using a butter tub. The tools you will need to construct a butter tub collar for your dog include: a pair of scissors or knife, a marker for calibration, butter container and tape.

As with most homemade household items, butter tubs are very easy to transform into a dog collar. To do this, you will first need a butter tub that will fit through your dog’s head. Then bulge a hole in the container and fit it into your dog’s neck. Since a butter tub normally weighs less than a bucket, you might not need to protect it with straps.

Soft Egg Crate E-cones

Egg crate E-cones are quite similar to towel E-cones, but instead of using a towel, you will use an egg crate to construct a collar for your dog. This method will last longer than using towels because your dog won’t chew it off easily. But the construction process might be a bit difficult for first-timers to understand. To make an egg crate E-cone for your dog, you will need to have the following accessories: tape measure, needle, thread, scissors, felt, Velcro strip and egg crate.

To start the construction process, sew the Velcro strips to the material using a needle and thread. This way, the collar will be easy to wear and remove. Then cut a piece of felt measuring the same length as the egg crate, and cover it with the felt.

Pliable E-Collar 

You can make a pliable e-cone using foam rubber or flexible plastic material. Simply grab the following tools and get to work: a pair of scissors, tape, marker, hole punch and shoelace.

The good thing about this method is that it works great for cats as well. And because you can easily lay your hands on the aforementioned materials, you can quickly make a dog collar for your pet before it worsens the injury on its skin.

Cloth E-cones

Just like towels, you can use a piece of cloth to fashion an e-cone for your dog. Although cloth collars are not very strong, they can still serve your dog for a while; if you use them properly.

The major advantage that you get from using a cloth collar for your dog is comfort. Unlike using plastics, egg crates and buckets, clothes are more comfortable and cannot hurt your dog in any way. However, the drawback of using clothes is that they can collapse at the slightest touch. So, if you have a dog that’s an avid licker, this method may not be effective. Except you can go through the stress of monitoring every move of your dog when using this type of e-cone.

Pool Noodle E-Collar

A pool noodle dog collar is not very common in the dog world, but it is just as effective as other dog e-cones. What’s more, it is very easy to construct. The household tools you need to make a pool noodle collar for your dog include: pool noodle, rope, measuring tape and a pair of scissors.

This unique idea will put an end to your dog collar search because it can be created in less than 10 minutes. And since you will be the one making it from scratch, you can customize it to suit your dog. For instance, if you have a brown dog, you can make a pool noodle collar that’s brown. This way, it matches your dog and does not look too weird like most dog collars. And whether you choose to cut the pool noodle into smaller fragments or use a lengthy pool noodle, the result will still be the same – a long-lasting, comfortable and dog-friendly device.

You may also like our articles on Wheelchairs For Dogs and Dog First Aid Kits.

Nylon and Foam Dog Collar

Last but not least, a nylon and foam can be used to forge a dog cone alternative for your pet within a few minutes. The good thing about this type of DIY dog cone is that it can be detached easily, so, your dog can freely eat, drink and sleep. This homemade dog cone restricts your pet from licking sores and wounds on its body. But to make sure it is secure and firm, you will have to attach loops to the dog collar.

However, it’s vital to always monitor your dog, so it doesn’t chew off the nylon when it gets furious and wants to free itself from the dog cone. Because if that happens; nylon, being a polymer, might cause even more harm to your pup – which will ultimately require treatment. Another drawback is that your dog might not be able to ascertain when the DIY Elizabethan collar is on. Hence, you have to make sure it does not run around blindly and hurt itself in the process of trying to lick its wounds.

Source:

1. Alternatives to the Cone of Shame – PetMD