Feeding Dogs With Neck Cones

After going through certain medical procedures, your veterinarian may put your beloved fur pal in a neck cone for several days. These specialized collars -- known as Elizabethan or E-collars -- are designed to keep your little buddy from getting to his stitches, rash or other forbidden area. He should be able to eat and drink as normal, but he could need a little help if he seems to be struggling.

  1. Changing the Bowls

    • Those deep food and water bowls can be a little tricky for Sammy to work with while he has the cone around his neck. Imagine if you lost all of your peripheral vision and had to stick your head in a bowl to get your food. It would be challenging and somewhat scary. Switch to shallow bowls or plates with high lips around the side. The larger surface should make it easier for your beloved friend to eat and drink as he pleases.

    Raising Them Up

    • If Sammy continues to struggle when dinnertime comes around, see if he does better if you elevate his shallow dishes. Wrap a phone book in a towel or use a couple bricks as platforms and place his bowls on top. In some cases, the few extra inches in height can very much help out your pooch when he needs to get a bite of kibble or take a sip of water.

    Taking It Off

    • You can certainly take the E-collar off for Sammy̵7;s dinnertime as well. But you have to be there to supervise him and make sure he doesn̵7;t go sniffing around at his sore spot. After taking it off, put his dishes down, hang out with him while he feasts and then immediately put the collar back on. He̵7;ll probably be excited and feel like a free dog after removing that obnoxious collar -- just don̵7;t let him get too rowdy. He needs to lay low and give his body time to heal.

    Other Tips

    • Going through a medical procedure and wearing a big bulky cone on his head is one of the most traumatizing things your barking bud will ever go through. It̵7;s normal for him to be a little subdued, but if you can̵7;t get him to eat or drink for more than a day, take him back to the vet right away. You̵7;ll want to make sure everything is healing properly. Your vet may suggest feeding him by hand and giving him water through a syringe to help Sammy get the nutrients he needs.