Why is My Pet Wearing an Elizabethan Collar?

E-collar.  Lampshade.  “Cone of Shame”.  No matter what they’re called, most pets view them as a torture device.  Pet owners hate them, too.  So why are they so popular?

Elizabethan collars are useful for many different conditions.  They help prevent pets from hurting themselves, through biting, chewing, licking, or scratching.  They’re also used to prevent pets from ripping out drains and sutures after a surgical procedure. 

Elizabethan collars come in different sizes and lengths, and they can be adjusted to each patient.  For instance, a pet with a wound on its front leg may be able to use a shorter collar than a pet with a wound on a back leg.  Patients with long noses often need longer Elizabethan collars than patients with pushed-in (brachycephalic) or short noses. 

Most pets adjust quickly to their Elizabethan collars.  They sleep, eat, and drink while wearing them.  Walking can present more of a challenge, as the Elizabethan collars are often wider than their body.  With a little adjustment period, however, most patients are able to adapt.

Traditional Elizabethan collars are made from rigid plastic.  A few types are made from flexible padded material.  Others resemble life preservers.  

Whatever type of Elizabethan collar you choose, remember this:  Veterinarians use them for a specific purpose—to keep your pet safe and healthy.