How to Make a Homemade Protective Dog Collar

Protective collars keep injured dogs from licking wounds.
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Veterinarians do not always provide protective collars when tending to injured dogs, though picking one up might be recommended. E-collars can also be expensive, and you might not have time to run to the store to buy one when your dog gets hurt, but you can make one at home. When you need a protective collar in a hurry, you can make your own Elizabethan collar from things you have around the house to stop your dog from licking or chewing.

Cardboard and Duct Tape

Measure around your dog's bare neck, and add 2 inches to the measurement.

Draw an slight arc about 1 inch high at its peak, of the length you just measured, in the bottom center of the cardboard. It should look as if you were drawing a very low rainbow.

Draw a fan shape coming up and away from the ends of the arc, the length of your dog's head, then use the scissors or utility knife to cut out the shape. If the cone is shorter than your dog's head, licking and chewing the wound will still be a problem for your pet.

Wrap the cardboard fan gently around your dog's neck and secure the overlapping edges with duct tape.

Cut the reflective tape into 3-inch strips and attach them all the way around the wide outer rim of the collar to make your dog easier for others to see during nighttime walks.

Tips

  • Protective collars are also commonly referred to as Elizabethan collars, e-collars, and cones of shame.

    If you would like to pad your dog's protective collar, you can use spray-on craft glue to attach a layer of quilted material to the inside of the cone shape. Just make sure the glue dries completely before putting the collar on your dog.

Warnings

  • If your dog cannot eat or drink when wearing the collar, either remove it at feeding time or put the food and water in smaller, firm bowls.

Warnings

  • If your dog cannot eat or drink when wearing the collar, either remove it at feeding time or put the food and water in smaller, firm bowls.

Tips

  • Protective collars are also commonly referred to as Elizabethan collars, e-collars, and cones of shame.

  • If you would like to pad your dog's protective collar, you can use spray-on craft glue to attach a layer of quilted material to the inside of the cone shape. Just make sure the glue dries completely before putting the collar on your dog.

Items You Will Need

  • Tape measure
  • Marker
  • Firm cardboard, about 1 foot by 2 feet, based on your dog's size
  • Scissors or utility knife
  • Duct tape
  • Reflective tape, 2 feet