Three Cones in Three Days

In three days, Buster's worn three collars intended to stop him from licking: Ejay Bite Free, Procollar Inflatable, and the Comfycone.  Actually, if you count the cone of shame that he wore home, he's modeled four collars.  Today's picture is an aerial shot of Bup in the Comfycone.  We liked the Ejay collar best but soon learned Buster could lick his lower leg while wearing it.  We then bought a Procollar and learned he could lick his knee and upper leg.  So then we tried the Comfycone.  At least he can't lick anything, except his foot.

As soon as we put the Comfycone on him, he hung his head.  You know the posture of a dog shamed by a lampshade?  Yep.

The positive features of the Comfycone is that it is easy to wipe clean and is adjustable.  The edges fold back so that your pup can eat and drink.  It is softer so the dog can lie down more comfortably.  Beyond that, it has the same disadvantages as a cone of shame--isolation, inhibition of the dog's movements, blocking peripheral vision, etc...

It is bendable to make it easier for the dog to eat and drink.  We don't find that the fold makes it much easier for Buster to drink and only makes it a little easier for him to eat.  Also when it is folded back, Buster can place his front paws against the fold and try to pull it off.

The Procollar's advantages are that it is very comfortable, does not block the dog's peripheral vision or isolate the dog, and does not inhibit the dog's maneuverability as much.  Our friends at Pyrenees Pets have heard that they pop.  For us the failure to prevent Buster from licking any part of his leg led to its immediate removal and subsequent return to the big box retailer.

The Ejay Bite Free's advantages are that it gives clear peripheral vision, maneuverability, is comfortable (it is foam-lined), and is adjustable.   The negatives are the name, that you have to measure your dog and special order, and that it didn't restrict Buster enough.

Annoyingly, the surgical cone that the surgical center used was NOT reusable.  This really bothers me because plastic is not biodegradable and we would have simply placed that back on Buster but instead had to cut it off him in the first place and then had to go out and spend more money.

We are not in love with any of these products, especially given that they are far more expensive than a typical surgical cone.  In the end, your dog should be kept quiet after knee surgery and should not move a lot.  You should be with your dog when he or she is moving through a room, so you should be guiding your dog past obstacles.  You are the eyes, ears, and leader.  So these cone alternatives, like so many pet products, are more for the owners than they are for the dog.