Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Dogster Team
The dreaded cone of shame. It goes by several other different names as well: Buster collar, Elizabethan collar, and even a pet lampshade. It looks like you’re in the market for a new dog cone since you’re reading this. As funny as they may seem, they are important devices to help your dog heal after an injury or surgery. water dispenser for dogs
If you’re not sure what kind of cone you should be looking for, read through our reviews of the 10 best dog cones on the market. For your convenience, we go over the pros and cons and all the different features. This way, you can easily point and click to select the one that is right for your pooch. We hope you’ll find the right cone that will help your dog heal quickly!
The All Four Paws Comfy Cone is our pick for the best overall dog cone. It is made with a soft, flexible, and therefore more comfortable nylon, which is also washable. It comes in 6 sizes ranging from extra-small up to extra-large. Its flexibility makes it quite adaptable as you can fold it down into a kind of protective cape over the shoulders and chest. This way, the cone is comfortable for your dog for eating, sleeping, and just getting around the house, but you can adjust its rigidity.
The main flaw is that the cone tends to be a little short (although if your dog is small, there is the option of getting it in long). If your dog has a long nose, but this cone will better suit shorter-nosed dogs.
The best dog cone for the money is the SunGrow Post-Surgery Soft Cone. It comes in medium (it fits pets with a 9-to-10-inch neck) and is in a cute pink with white polka dot pattern in a soft foam that is easy to wash. It’s well-priced and comfortable for your dog to eat and sleep in. The cone is nice and thick, and the material is water-resistant, so it’s easy to spot clean when necessary.
However, like the previously mentioned cone, it’s not long enough for some pups, and some dogs might be able to slip it off rather easily.
The KONG Cloud Collar is an inflatable cone that attaches to your dog’s collar to keep it in place. When it’s inflated, you should only blow it up until full but not hard, so it will become a comfortable pillow for your dog in addition to protecting the wound. The design doesn’t restrict your dog’s peripheral vision in any way and is comfortable for your pup while sleeping and eating. It’s also scratch and bite resistant, and the fabric is washable.
The disadvantages are that it is a little pricey, and if you don’t get it in the right size, the dogs will reach the wound.
The Bencmate Protective Inflatable Collar comes in five sizes, but the extra-small and small should work very well for puppies. Like the previous one, it attaches to the puppy’s collar and is inflatable with a scratch and bite-resistant fabric. It’s more comfortable than the stiff plastic cones, doesn’t block your puppy’s peripheral vision, and is adjustable.
Unfortunately, some puppies will still be able to reach their wound or incision, and it might deflate, particularly if your puppy is determined to get it off.
The WZ Pet Adjustable Dog Cone is available in small and medium and is another pink with white polka dotted cone made with a cotton material. It’s machine washable and is quite comfortable as it’s soft and made with breathable fabric. It’s adjustable, makes for a nice, padded surface for a pillow, and is lightweight.
Like several of the other softer cones, it doesn’t always prevent your dog from licking where they are not supposed to. Plus, some dogs might be able to get it off easily.
The Ccypet Adjustable Recovery Collar is an adorable rainbow-colored cone made with a cotton material and filled with polystyrene balls. It can be used as a comfortable pillow and can be fastened to the dog’s collar for extra stability. You use a drawstring-like feature to tighten it, and it is easy to spot clean.
However, the polystyrene balls will make a tremendous mess if it happens to tear, and it won’t work for every dog.
The KONG EZ Soft Collar is shaped more like the traditional cone but in a soft, flexible material, making it more comfortable. It’s made with a flexible material they call “Flexstay,” which is designed to hold its shape, is pretty comfortable to wear, and is machine washable. It has a drawstring closure, which makes it easy to adjust in size, and the cone is less likely for your dog to get stuck and shouldn’t knock things over.
The drawbacks are that it doesn’t give your dog any peripheral vision, and it might tear if your dog scratches at it enough.
The Vital-Fri Protective Inflatable Donut Collar is another adorable collar that is shaped and looks like a donut. It attaches to your dog’s collar and also includes Velcro straps for adjusting, and it’s inflatable. The inner PVC airbag can be removed, which makes washing the outer softer material much more manageable. It comes in four sizes and is comfortable for most dogs.
Some of these donuts tend to deflate, and the zipper has been known to break. Also, it doesn’t prevent all dogs from reaching their wounds.
Supet’s Adjustable Dog Cone is the only traditional dog cone on our list. It’s a semi-transparent plastic cone that is fastened around your dog’s neck with Velcro. The edges of the cone are covered in a softer fabric for your dog’s comfort, and it’s super lightweight.
The biggest problem with this cone is in the sizing. The measurements aren’t very accurate, so you might want to check the reviews in which some give some good advice on figuring out the right size for your dog. And because the Velcro is in one large and long strip, it can be very loud when separating. This might scare some dogs.
The Alfie Pet Noah Lion Recovery Collar will make your adorable dog an adorable lion with this cone. It’s in a super soft and plush fabric, so it will be comfortable for your dog to wear. It’s light, fastened with three separate Velcro strips, and is machine washable.
However, like some of the others, the sizing is off, plus smaller dogs might end up walking or tripping on it. It’s also floppy, so some dogs might still reach the wound or incision area.
Most vets will provide you with an e-collar, but many dog owners like to buy their own as they aren’t usually very comfortable for the dog to wear. But before you decide on one, read through our buyer’s guide, as we’ll go over a few points that might help you with your purchase.
This is clearly one of the most important parts of buying a dog cone. Make sure you measure your dog’s neck and check the measurements on the listing. But also read the reviews. Sometimes the measurements aren’t accurate, which we’ve pointed out in a few of our reviews, and other dog owners usually share this information and give advice so you can figure out the correct size.
You should also measure the length of your dog’s head and snout, as well as the diameter of the head where it is widest. These measurements, in addition to the size of their neck, can help you find the right size.
Most dog cones are fastened with Velcro, while others are attached with a drawstring or to your dog’s collar. The Velcro is probably one of the easier cones to get on and off your dog, but you know your dog best. Would they patiently sit while you pushed it over the head and then tighten with a drawstring, or would putting it on with the collar work best?
You’ll want to protect your dog’s wound or incision, but they should also be able to eat and sleep comfortably with it on. It shouldn’t be too large and unwieldy either. You don’t want them getting stuck in furniture or running into walls.
What you are buying the cone for is to stop your dog from licking, biting, or scratching at the injury or incision. This is where the measurements and sizing are also necessary. If your dog has a long snout, you’ll need to ensure the cone is long enough to prevent your dog from nibbling on the area. Use your judgment.
The All Four Paws Comfy Cone is our pick for the best overall dog cone. It is made with a soft, flexible, and comfortable nylon, which is also washable. The SunGrow Post-Surgery Soft Cone is a great value, and it comes in a cute pink with white polka dot patterned fabric that is easy to wash. Finally, the KONG Cloud Collar is inflatable and attaches to your dog’s collar and won’t block your dog’s peripheral vision.
We hope these reviews will have helped you figure out the best cone for your dog and that they heal fast and maybe with a bit of dignity. No cones of shame here!
Featured Image Credit: Kittima05, Shutterstock
canine harnesses for dogs Kathryn was a librarian in a previous lifetime and is currently a writer about all things pets. When she was a kid, she hoped to work in a zoo or with wildlife in some way, thanks to her love for animals. Unfortunately, she's not strong in the sciences, so she fills her days with researching and writing about all kinds of animals and spends time playing with her adorable but terribly naughty tabby cat, Bella. Kathryn is hoping to add to her family in the near future – maybe another cat or two and a dog.