Easy DIY Dog Cone Alternative Homemade with a Pool Noodle or Towel

An easy DIY Dog Cone is a far cry from the old giant floppy plastic surgical collar (Elizabethan Collar) the Veterinarians office would give us after our pet had surgery. The poor dogs couldn’t eat, drink, or walk into another room while wearing those bulky things. Today we can make a homemade dog cone using a foam pool noodle or even from a towel or two. Times certainly have changed, haven’t they!

Why Do Dogs Have To Wear Cones?

Have you ever heard the phrase, “the cone of shame?” 

This term refers to the plastic, cloth, fabric, or plush cone-shaped material that sits on a dog’s neck. Sooner or later, puppies and adult dogs alike will be assigned a cone by their veterinarian. 

But why?   And how do I learn how to make a comfortable, easy DIY dog cone?

Dogs Wear Cones Because...

DIYDogStuff.com looks at the 2 most common reasons dogs have to wear cones. 

1. Spay / Neuter 

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) highly recommends spaying or neutering your dog. This lessens the number of homeless and stray animals that are born. 

However, “fixing” a dog requires surgery. And invasive surgery means incisions that require stitches. While most dogs heal within 14 days, this is a tender time for your dog’s skin. They will likely be tempted to lick their wounds. 

That’s where a cone comes in! 

A cone is used as a barrier. This keeps the cut clean, protects the integrity of the incisions, and stops stitches or staples from being torn open. Due to the shape, dogs cannot get their mouths on the incision site located on their bellies. 

2. Injury 

Secondly, a dog might have to wear a cone following an injury. 

Imagine your dog fractured a bone. Or ripped a nail. Or had a cancerous limb amputated. These injuries will take time to heal from, but of course, your dog doesn’t understand that! Instead, they want to check out the problem for themselves. By chewing on or nudging the injury with its nose, a dog risks making it worse. 

Luckily, a cone can help!

For one, it prevents a dog from accidentally ingesting medication, like pain cream or antibacterial ointments. Additionally, a cone put an end to scratching. This allows healing to happen uninterrupted. 

Final Thoughts 

While wearing a cone isn’t fun, it is for the best in the long term. 

Some dogs – like Pugs – find it difficult to drink or eat while wearing plastic cones because of their short muzzles. Similarly, certain fabric ones can weigh too heavy on a dog’s neck. Talk to your veterinarian about different cone options.

Be sure to choose a cone that fits your pup’s specific needs! 

Get Some Easy DIY Dog Cone How-to Ideas 

You can find several different ways to make an easy DIY dog cone for your pup.  Check out the ideas and instructions below and learn how to make your own dog cone alternative with our DIY Dog Cone suggestions. You can make a homemade dog collar for your pup using a pool noodle or even a towel.