The Pool Noodle Collar
Fortunately, I had a cheap pool noodle from the dollar store in the garage. A few days ago, I was complaining to my spouse about how small noodles had gotten, about half their previous size, and how one now needed to use two or three in the pool to achieve the same buoyancy.
But for slicing it into little pieces and making a noodle collar for our darling Luna, it was the most ideal thickness. Using kitchen shears, I cut several noodle pieces that were 2-3 inches long.
Attach them to a broad ribbon or your dog’s collar. To stop the noodles from sliding around, it helps to loop the ribbon back through them if you’re using it.
The size and breed of your dog will determine how many pieces you’ll need. Larger dogs can use the larger pieces, and smaller dogs should obviously use the thinner pool noodle pieces.
Select a pool noodle that is thick enough around to keep your dog from getting to the area you’re trying to protect in order to restrict movement, licking, or chewing. Luna was more than reminded not to lick or chew her stitches with this thinner noodle, allowing the area to heal.
After threading the noodle pieces onto the collar, fasten it firmly on your pet. They can move around much more comfortably because of this, but it also stops them from biting or licking wounds.
Unlike other alternatives, there isn’t any fabric to cause excessive heat or itching to occur either. It also doesn’t interfere with their ability to eat, drink, or sniff around.
The Cone of Shame
Sometimes our beloved pets need surgery, or they have wounds or skin conditions that need them to wear an Elizabethan collar, also known as the cone of shame.
Our lovely girl was spayed, and our veterinarian advised that she wear one to keep her from licking or ripping out her stitches. Regretfully, she was so sick after the surgery that she didn’t even lift her head, much less try to lick the stitches, for almost two days.
Once she started moving about, we followed the vets’ advice and adorned her with the pet medical collar, as we were instructed to do.
She was beyond miserable. The way she stared at us, you would have assumed that we had attached a medieval torture device. Quite frankly, it was more than I could stand. Thus the pool noodle collar was born!.
Things You Should Know
- Create a classic paper dog cone using poster board or paper plates.
- Create a necklace out of pool noodles for your dog to stop chewing and licking without obstructing their vision.
- Always check to see if your dog’s breathing is being affected by your homemade e-collar. Your fingers should easily slide under your makeshift cone.
