Measure the top of your dog’s head from the tip of their nose to the back of their collar with a fabric measuring tape. Add 1 in (2. 5 cm) to your measurement. Using a compass, cut out a circle of poster board or cardboard with a diameter 2 times your measurement. Cut through half of your circle, stopping in the middle. Measure your dog’s neck, and divide the number by 2. Cut a smaller circle out of your large circle that has the diameter of your previous measurement. Place the cone around your dog’s neck and tape the ends shut.
Place 3 thin paper plates on top of each other and fold them in half twice. Cut off the corner of the plates in a half circle. Open 1 of the folds and cut the bottom folded edge of the plates. Unfold the plates completely, and set aside 1 plate (this will be the base of your cone). Trim off the remaining folded edge of the 2 plates so you have 4 halves. Wrap the first plate around your dog’s neck, stapling the 2 ends together to hold it in place. Attach 3 of the halves to the cone’s rim to give it more length.
For smaller dogs, use a kitchen or tea towel. For larger dogs, use a beach or shower towel. Don’t be afraid to play around with the size and shape. If the towel isn’t thick enough to limit neck movement, keep folding it in halves or thirds. No towel? No worries! Use an old T-shirt instead. Know that this method won’t work if your pup has a wound on their front paws, as they could still lick it with the towel wrapped around their head.
Use your knife or scissors to make the pool noodle’s hole bigger if the “beads” don’t fit through the collar. If you don’t want to use your dog’s everyday collar, try using a piece of twine or string the same length as their collar instead. Make sure your pup can move their head around with the collar on, and that you can slide a finger easily between the beads and their neck.
Don’t have a measuring tape? Bring your dog’s collar to the store with you. If it sits comfortably inside the bottom rim of the bucket, it’s the right size. Sand down the edges of the bucket with sandpaper, so your pup doesn’t get cut. Don’t have an extra bucket? Try using this method with a cleaned-out butter tub. [6] X Research source
Can’t find a piece of foam the exact size? Buy a larger piece and cut it down to size. Eyeball your DIY collar and make sure the foam is long enough to trap your pup’s nose inside. Otherwise, they may be able to lick their paws. If you’re not handy with a needle and thread, try super gluing the velcro to the foam.
Soft e-collars have cushions around the inside sides for a more comfortable fit. Inflatable e-collars don’t block your pup’s vision and are much comfier to wear and play in. Surgical recovery suits keep your pup from chewing or licking wounds without a hindering cone.
