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Few things are more miserable for our furry friends than having to don the rigid plastic “cone of shame” that restricts their movement, field of vision, and comfort. But that’s what you often get from your vet to protect your pup from licking and chewing at wounds or surgical incisions. Fortunately, several different protective products aren’t nearly as disconcerting as the old-school Elizabethan collar. Some work better than others, so I’ve researched and reviewed some of the leading dog cone alternatives to help you find a better solution.
At A Glance: Our Top Picks
| Inflatable E-Collar | Soft E-Collar | Onesie | Hind Legs | Front Legs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
| Katoggy | ASENKU | Suitical Suit | Buckwheat | Suitical Sleeve |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Chewy | View on Amazon | View on Chewy |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
What Can I Use Instead Of A Dog Cone?
Depending on the area of your furry friend’s body that requires protection, you have several options to keep your pup’s mouth out of bounds. But any dog cone alternative product you choose must keep your dog from licking and chewing at her wound or surgical site 24/7. They’re also helpful for keeping your dog from licking or scratching at hot spots or irritated and inflamed skin.
The bacteria in dogs’ mouths can cause infection and delay healing time. Even minor licking makes the site moist, inviting bacteria to spread. Excessive licking may re-open wounds, even those with stitches. Many dogs will chew out sutures, leading to severe complications.
E Collar Alternatives For Dogs
Some popular alternatives to hard plastic e-collars to help your pup heal and prevent licking wounds include:
- Inflatable e-collars
- Soft fabric e-collars
- Onesies/surgery recovery suits
- Sleeves
- Booties
Best Cone Of Shame Alternatives
I chose these top picks based on several factors, including how effective each product is at deterring licking wounds, quality, comfort, customer feedback, pricing, and more.
Best Inflatable E-Collar: Katoggy Inflatable Dog Cone Collar Review
Inflatable e-collars are an excellent alternative to rigid cones because they’re more comfortable and don’t block your dog’s vision. This Katoggy collar is an inflatable PVC airbag with a soft plush cover for your pup’s comfort. Unlike many cones, dogs can eat, drink, and move around much more easily while wearing this collar. It is not as invasive to the peripheral vision, which helps them feel more comfortable wearing it.
You can attach the Katoggy to your pup’s existing collar with inner ring loops to secure it in place. The opening has a Velcro strap you can adjust for a perfect fit. It comes in four sizes, with neck circumferences ranging from 5 to 24 inches. You can remove the airbag to hand wash the cover.
Our Personal Experience With The Katoggy Inflatable Collar
I’ve purchased two of these, one for my five-pound older dog recovering from surgery and one for my 10-pound dog following neutering. This collar is easy to use and clean and comfortable for my dogs to wear. I had no worries about the dogs licking, chewing or scratching. The collar is highly effective in preventing that. Both were able to eat and drink with it on and move around much better than with the plastic cones.
I tried this with my larger dog, 80 pounds, after an injury, however, it did not work as well for her. I’d recommend this one for smaller and medium sized breeds.
– Danielle DeGroot, Rescue Dog Parent, Canine Journal Research & Writing
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fits securely and is easy to adjust | Doesn’t work for dogs with long snouts, bodies, or legs |
| Doesn’t block your dog’s vision | Some customers said their dogs were able to maneuver out of it |
| Comfortable, plush material | |
| 3-month free exchange warranty |
Price
- Starting at: $8.99 ($8.99 / Count)
Best Soft E-Collar: ASENKU Soft Dog Cone Collar Review
Unfortunately, for some dog shapes and sizes or wound locations, there’s simply no way of getting around the need for a cone. However, soft dog cones like the ASENKU are a better alternative to the traditional hard plastic cone that can pinch and hurt a dog’s neck. This soft cone is made with soft PP cotton and PVC edging to create a custom and durable fit. While it does block the peripheral vision, it has a flexible design, and you can easily fold back the plastic to allow for easier feeding and more visibility when needed.
The ASENKU is available in four adjustable sizes, ranging from 9 to 22 inches in neck circumference. The wide Velcro strip makes it easy to get an ideal fit. This one is easy to clean and very lightweight. You can also walk your pup at nighttime; the reflective strips make it highly visible in low light.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Better protection for some dogs than inflatable collars | Too large and heavy for very small dogs |
| Easy to put on and adjust | Blocks some vision |
| Soft and padded for comfort | Not water resistant |
| High visibility at night |
Price
- Starting at: $23.99 ($23.99 / Count)
Best Onesie: Suitical Recovery Suit For Dogs Review
The Suitical Recovery Suit is an excellent alternative to a dog cone after neutering, spaying, GI surgery, or any wound on your dog’s abdominal area. The non-toxic four-way stretch fabric is comfortable and can also help your pup feel less anxious (similar to how a ThunderShirt works). The fabric is breathable, allowing air to circulate to the wound site for proper healing.
This recovery suit is also a fantastic way to keep the site clean from dirt and debris that could cause an infection. The rear fastener is easy to pull back for potty time, and it’s available in 10 sizes to fit a wide variety of breeds. Pet parents rave about this suit.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Keeps wounds protected, clean, and dry | A few customers said it can be hard to figure out the right size |
| Breathable cotton fabric | |
| Comfortable and doesn’t block vision | |
| Machine-washable |
Price
- Starting at: $19.79
Best For Hind Leg Protection: Buckwheat Dog Hind Leg Sleeve Review
The Buckwheat Hind Leg Sleeve is a fantastic Elizabethan collar alternative for dogs with rear leg wounds or hind leg and hip surgical sites, e.g., TPLO or hip dysplasia incisions. The breathable polyester fabric lets air in to promote healing while keeping your pup from getting to the site. There is no risk of irritation to a dog’s neck with these types of recovery sleeves. And your dog can pee and poop without any adjustment to the suit. It’s available in 10 adjustable sizes with hook and loop straps at the neck and torso for a perfect fit.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Keeps wounds protected, clean, and dry | On the pricey side |
| Breathable polyester fabric | A few reports that it doesn’t fit well |
| Comfortable and doesn’t block vision | |
| Made in the USA |
Price
- All sizes: $79.00
Best For Front Leg Protection: Suitical Recovery Sleeve For Dogs Review
If you only need to protect one of your pup’s front legs, the Suitical Recovery Sleeve may work well for you. It gets better reviews compared to similar front-leg sleeves. Like the Suitical Suit we reviewed above, this protective sleeve is constructed with the same breathable material. The design allows you to use it for either front leg and snaps closed for a secure fit. It’s available in eight sizes to fit a variety of breeds.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Keeps wounds protected, clean, and dry | Some complaints that the material isn’t durable enough to withstand determined chewing |
| Breathable cotton fabric | |
| Easy to put on | |
| Comfortable and doesn’t block vision | |
| Machine-washable |
Price
- Starting at: $32
Our Personal Experience With The Suitical Recovery Sleeve
I have used this sleeve with my larger dog Daisy, an 80 pound Pitbull Lab mix. She experienced skin irritation and started licking excessively on her leg. This caused a large sore, and no matter what I tried she would not stop licking. Daisy managed to get out of every cone alternative I tried, and popped an inflatable cone within 5 minutes. So, I purchased the recovery sleeve. It made a huge difference, as she could not get through the sleeve nor get it off. Using this made a huge difference, and even though it took several weeks, her leg finally healed.
-Danielle DeGroot, Rescue Dog Parent, Canine Journal Research & Writing
What About The Comfy Cone Or A Fun Option?
Although these products didn’t make our top picks, they’re popular options that you may want to consider.
Comfy Cone E-Collar Review
The Comfy Cone by All Four Paws is a popular soft e-collar alternative to the rigid traditional cone. It’s made of foam-backed, padded nylon with plastic stays, which you can remove if you want a more flexible collar. Three fastener strips and elastic loops attach the cone to your pup’s collar. The cone also has a reflective edge for nighttime walking.
The Comfy Cone is available in eight sizes, ranging from 9.25-28.25 neck circumference. You can purchase a 2-inch extender for dogs with super thick necks. It gets a lot of positive customer reviews. The main complaints are that it obstructs vision too much and is heavy, making it difficult for some dogs to move around.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More comfortable than rigid plastic cones | Blocks field of vision |
| Removable plastic inserts | Heavy and bulky |
| Has larger neck sizes than other collars we review here | |
| Water resistant and easy to clean |
Price
- Starting at: $10.52
Our Personal Experience With Comfy Cone
We used The Comfy Cone a few times with our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Georgie. The first time was when he got neutered, and then again after his anal glands ruptured. He was around 12-15 pounds at the time and not fully grown, so the cone was a little big for his little head, but it did its job. Both times, he was a little drowsy from pain meds, so he didn’t walk around much with it on. But when he did, it was a little heavy on his neck. However, knowing his face was resting in a soft, squishy panel, I felt comforted. The cone is adjustable, and the velcro keeps it on well. We just had to make sure his long, curly ears didn’t catch in the flaps.
– Sadie Cornelius, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog mom and creative for Canine Journal
HOMBYS Soft Flower Cone For Dogs Review
If you want something a little cuter than the standard cone or e-collar, you may like this flower-shaped soft dog cone. It comes in 6 sizes with an adjustable leash buckle. It also does not block the peripheral vision as much, so anxious dogs may like it better. This one is soft, like a pillow, and does not need to be inflated. It is quite comfy but may not be the best pick for highly active or destructive dogs. The flower cone works best for smaller breeds because it is not as durable and sturdy as some of the other options. However, this one may be a good fit if you need something cute, soft, and easy to put on.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More comfortable than rigid plastic cones | Not waterproof |
| No inflating needed | Not good for larger breeds |
| Lightweight | Not as sturdy |
| Like a pillow |
Price
Homemade Dog Cone Alternatives
There are several different ways to make a DIY dog cone alternative easily and cheaply. Here are two of our favorite methods. If you have other DIY alternatives for a dog cone, please share them in the comments.
Pool Noodle E-Collar
One popular method is to use a regular hollow foam pool noodle. All you have to do is cut the noodles into segments and slide them onto a classic dog collar so they fit all around your pup’s head. You’ll just need to make sure the noodle’s circumference is large enough to keep your dog from reaching her wounds.
Towel And Duct Tape (Video)
Another DIY option is just as simple, but it has limitations, as do all non-cone collars. Check out this video from P.E.T.S., a nonprofit spay and neuter clinic in Texas, demonstrating an easy way to use a towel and duct tape to make an e-collar for your pup.
How Can I Relieve My Dog’s Pain?
If your canine companion is recovering from surgery, an injury, or a painful chronic condition, your pup may need help relieving her discomfort. You may want to learn more about the best pain meds for dogs as well as natural pain relief alternatives to medication. Calming treats and CBD oil may be beneficial to reduce inflammation and manage mood. You and your veterinarian can discuss which options are ideal for your dog’s situation.
Other Kinds Of Licking To Look Out For
While a dog cone or dog cone alternative can help with recovery, all dogs like to lick it. They regularly clean themselves this way, but excessive clicking can be problematic. If you notice your dog licking its butt a lot or constantly licking their paws, you may want to inspect to be sure there is no underlying issue. Some dogs excessively lick the floor, which you want to stop as soon as possible. Always talk to your vet if you notice a sudden change in your pup, especially if they won’t stop licking or scratching at themselves.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Sally has over 20 years of experience in human health sciences communications, including 10 years as an expert on pet health conditions and treatment. She’s part of a team of dedicated canine professionals and long-time dog owners at Canine Journal. We test and research the best pet products, not only for our own pups but for all of our readers.
