An Elizabethan collar, or E-collar, is a lightweight plastic cone that fits around a dog's head to prevent her from biting or licking an incision, or to prevent her from scratching or rubbing at a facial injury. If your dog has had an injury or surgery, your veterinarian has probably given you one. They're also available at pet stores. While they typically have 3 or 4 loops designed to be fitted over a regular dog collar, there are several ways of fastening them if your dog doesn't wear a collar.
Things You'll Need
- Elizabethan dog collar
- Twine, gauze, or lightweight rope
- Dog treats
- Friend or partner
Instructions
Roll the Elizabethan collar into a cone shape and fasten the plastic tabs into the slots. Elizabethan collars come in a flat piece of flexible curved plastic and have to be rolled into shape.
Thread some twine, gauze or lightweight rope through the loops, leaving enough slack to tie a knot.
Slide the collar over your dog's head until it's comfortably around her neck. If her head shape is such that you can't slide it on, offer her some treats to encourage her to stay still, or have a friend distract her while you fit the collar around her head.
Check the collar and make sure it's not so tight that it's cutting into her fur, and not so loose that it's flopping down over the top of her head. It should be snug enough that you can slide a finger underneath it.
Tie the gauze or twine so the collar remains snug, but not too tight.