Praise Dog, there are now a number of alternatives to the rather gruesome Elizabethan cone collars we've traditionally used to keep our pets from licking and biting wounds and stitches. The Whole Dog Journal takes several for a test drive and concludes that pretty much every one of them is better than the heavy, opaque, awkward, frustrating, classic cone that drastically reduces vision and depresses many animals so much that they sometimes refuse to move or even eat: "While Rickey was unable to lick or chew at his sutures while wearing any of the products, he was happier (and hungrier) in every single alternative product than he was when wearing the classic veterinary-supplied cone. His legendary appetite quickly returned, as did his spunk and spark (and bark!)." Similar options are available for kitty, too, but remember that for all pets, fit is important, since you don't want them squirming out of the collar! (Additionally, the type or location of the wound may dictate that one style will work better than another, and in all cases, it's probably best to allow your recovering pet outside only under supervision as any of these collars may impair agility, become caught on bushes or fences, or present other unforeseen difficulties.)
These kinder alternatives are certainly pricier than the plastic cone, with price tags ranging from $8 to $49, but might actually pay for themselves many times over with speedier healing times for happier convalescents -- not to mention sparing our own eyes the pathetic sight of our unhappy furballs desperately lurching around and pathetically pawing at their "torture collars." Aaaaaaah, at last -- sweet relief! :)
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