How to Make a Lamp Collar for a Dog

Also known as Elizabethan collars or E-collars, lamp collars prevent dogs from irritating, licking or scratching surgical or wound sites to reduce healing time. Many veterinary offices sell lamp collars; however, these collars can be constructed at home within a few minutes. Knowing how to construct your own lamp collar will prepare you for pet emergencies and can save you both money and time.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-foot cardboard square
  • Permanent marker
  • Scissors
  • Duct tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay the cardboard flat on a hard surface.

    • 2

      Trim the edges of the cardboard to leave a 12-inch circle. In the center of the circle, draw a circle slightly smaller than the diameter of the dog̵7;s neck, using the dog's collar as a stencil or guide.

    • 3

      Draw a straight line from the edge of the outer circle to the center circle.

    • 4

      Cut along the straight line using scissors or a box cutter and follow the line to cut out the center circle. You will now have a doughnut-looking piece of cardboard. This will be the body of the lamp collar.

    • 5

      Cover the inside edges of the doughnut with duct tape, or masking tape for toy dogs, to keep the cardboard from rubbing against the dog's neck.

    • 6

      Place the open doughnut around the dog's neck, overlapping the edges of the now cone-looking lamp collar.

    • 7

      Check to see that the lamp collar allows you to place two fingers between it and the neck of the dog before securing the cone together. If you are able to fit more than two fingers, the collar may slip off. On the other hand, too little space may cut off blood flow.

    • 8

      Secure the lamp collar in place once it is folded to the appropriate size. This can be done by pinching the edges together on the seam of the lamp collar and securing the edges in place with a 2-inch square piece of duct tape. Use a separate piece of duct tape to secure the inner and outer seam of the cone.