A cat cone may be necessary if your pet is recovering from an injury. Plastic cones the size of golf balls keep your cat’s mouth and wounds safe from licking and chewing. If a cat has recently undergone surgery, this product can help keep it from chomping on the wound stitches. Cat cones are often disliked by cats, and they will not wear them.
So, how do you keep a cone on a cat? In the course of this article, we shall discuss the same and everything relevant to cats and cat cones!
Before we move forward, you would be required to have the following things to keep a cone on a cat: cat food, cat toys, and chews.
Having these items handy will ensure that the whole process of keeping the cone on the cat seems like a play to the cat instead of a punishment. Cats often tend to think that having a cone put on their head is a sort of punishment, however, with the help of cat food, chews, and toys, you can induce the cat to think of it as a play of a good action for which the cat is offered treats.
In the detailed guide below, we will explain how these items mentioned above will come in handy:
Step 1:
Take a hold of the cone or position it in the general area of your cat — but do not attempt to place it on your cat at this time. If your cat sniffs anything, touches it with their nose, or even just glances at it, reward them with a cat treat or play with their toy on the spot. This step is all about establishing a good link between your cat and the cone and acclimating your cat to a new item.
Step 2:
Begin by putting the cone on your cat and taking it off again as often as possible. Treat them for wearing it by placing a little amount of their wet food on a spoon or small wooden stick (such as a tongue depressor) or by giving them a treat from your hand. To begin with, only allow them to wear it for a brief period of time, perhaps only a few seconds, before taking it off and providing them with some wet food or a treat.
Step 3:
Increase the number of times the cat wears the cone as the day progresses. If they freeze, try to back out of the cone, or paw at it in an attempt to get it off, either lessen the time they are required to wear it or return to step one of the process. Feed or treat them while they are wearing it, or, if they are play-driven, engage in some playful interaction with their favorite cat toy while they are wearing it.
Step 4:
If your cat is hesitant to move about while wearing the cone, use a treat, a wet food lure, or a toy to get them to wander around with the cone in place. Using varied perches, you can assist them to become used to the feel of the cone and how it impacts their sense of balance and awareness. Continue to praise and encourage your cat with food or play as they continue to become acclimated to their cone – eventually, they will feel comfortable going about their regular business while wearing it.
What is a Cat Cone?
If your cat has been injured, your veterinarian may prescribe a cat cone to keep it safe. When your cat scratches her face, the cone can help. Useful after eye surgery or if the cat is prone to scratching the skin on its face.
Open-ended cones that cover a cat’s face are called cat cones. They’re known by a variety of names, including “cone of shame,” “lampshade,” “pet radar dish” and “Elizabethan collars,” among others. Cat cones, despite their amusing titles, have a serious purpose. You can use them to protect your cat from a painful area. It’s a must for the wellness of your cat.
In the past, veterinarians would give their clients homemade pet cones. Pliable plastic sheets and cardboard would be used to make them. These days, you can buy a wide range of commercially available, pre-made cat cones. It’s possible to buy them online or at a pet store near you. If a soft-plastic or soft-cloth cone doesn’t work for your cat, there are additional options. If you want to discover more about the numerous varieties of cones available, keep reading.
What Are The Different Types Of Cones?
Cat cones come in a variety of sizes and materials, so you may find one that fits your cat’s needs. It’s possible that your cat will desire to wear a cat cone. Cat cones of the highest quality are both comfortable to wear and effective in preventing your feline friend from harming themselves. The following is a list of cat cones:
A Traditional Cat Cone
Cat cones of this style are the most frequently encountered. Round and sturdy, it’s easy to detect due to its shape Traditional cat cones can be found with a softer edge to prevent your cat’s neck from being pricked. Cones made of clear plastic can help your cat see better. The length of the standard cat cone can be reduced by asking your veterinarian to do so.
Soft Cone
Colorful fabric and soft foam fill these cones. Protective cones for cats are more comfortable with these protective cones. However, if your cat bumps into something hard, the soft cone may be ruined. Cats in soft cones must be closely monitored by their owners.
Fabric Cone
Cones made of soft cloth are popular with some cats. A drawstring secures these around the feline’s neck. The attached drawstring may be unappealing to some cats, so they may prefer having a fabric cone attached to the collar, according to experts. Your cat may be compelled to remove the collar if the strings cause irritation or itching on her neck.
Inflatable Cat E-Collars
Inflatable doughnut-shaped collars for your cat are available for purchase here. They are perfect for fussy cats because they are lightweight and less obstructive. Cats enjoy wearing their e-collars, which are inflatable and easy for them to wear.
What to expect when your cat wears a cone?
Cones are never a pleasure. Cats don’t like having a cone around their necks, and it takes some time for them to get used to it. A lot of cats have trouble even just walking about with the cone for the first few hours after getting it. Cats can move forward, backward, or straight into a wall, depending on their personality. There are cats who will only crawl or drudge over the floor, refusing to walk at all. Allow Kitty some time to acclimate to her new surroundings.
During the first several hours, keep a watchful eye on your cat’s behavior. Keep an eye on your cat’s behavior while the cone is in place to see if it’s working. If a cat tries to scratch against a hard plastic cone, it could injure itself. Cones can be tricky for some cats, but others may get stuck beneath a bed or in a tight space if you don’t keep an eye on them.
Even if your cat is accustomed to going outside on her own, she must remain indoors for the duration of her cone of shame. There are many risks lurking outside for a cat because of its cone of vision and hearing.
How will my cat eat and drink while wearing the cone?
Even with a cone on, some cats are able to get to their food and drink. Some people don’t. For the first day, keep an eye on Kitty’s eating and drinking habits to ensure that they can eat and drink from their feeding dishes. The dishes can be elevated by placing them on a stable but narrow base if the cone is keeping their faces too high off the floor. Cutting off some of the cone may be an option if that doesn’t work. A few hours a day is all that is necessary for your cat to eat and drink without the aid of a cone.
How To Stop Your Cat From Removing The Cone?
The cat collar may scare your cat, but don’t worry about it. Your cat may need time to adjust to new situations. Here are some helpful hints for your feline companion:
Tie the cat cone to their collar
There are holes or openings at the bottom of the cone. In order to tie gauze or a piece of fabric to the collar, owners need these apertures. You can attach the cat cone to the cat’s collar with a simple knot. Cats can scratch and smack their heads on it, and this will keep the collar from slipping off.
Fit the cone properly
A cone that is too little or too large for your cat will be ineffective. If the cone does not fit properly, it is obvious the cat will try and remove it.
Below we have explained how you can measure and custom-craft the cone to fit your cat’s neck:
How To Make A Cone Fit Your Cat?
Step 1: Measure your cat’s neck size
This can all be done with a flexible measuring tape. For a more traditional approach, you can use a cat collar to get an accurate reading of your feline’s neck size. Put the collar on your cat and see whether there is enough room between the cat’s neck and the collar for one or two fingers to pass through. Then, take a measurement of the cat’s collar’s circumference. This will help you determine your cat’s neck circumference.
Step 2: Put the cone on.
Cat cones follow the same restrictions as collars. One or two fingers should fit comfortably between your cat’s neck and the cone after it is on your cat. If you’re unable to, the cone may be too tight for you. With more than two fingers, the cone may be overly flexible.
Cats can be stopped from removing a cone by using the correct size.
Step 3: The length of the cone
Your kitty’s nose should be slightly beyond the end of the cone. According to the area of the cat you are seeking to protect, some doctors may propose shorter or longer cat cones. For instance, a cat’s mouth can more easily reach locations around the foot or tail. Longer cones may be required to cover these locations. Head wounds, on the other hand, are difficult to access and may not necessitate a long cone. If you’re not sure what size cone is best for your cat, ask your veterinarian.
What Are Some Better Alternatives To Cat Cones?
Our selection of better alternatives to the standard protective item includes options for cats who refuse to wear collars, for those who prefer something more comfortable, as well as for those who wish to prevent their cat from knocking lamps and ornaments off the sideboard. Here, we’ve listed both commercially available and homemade options.
Pillow Collars
Essentially, the pillow collar is a pillow that covers the shoulders and neck. For cats, it’s easier to use because it’s shorter and softer than a cone.
Using an e-collar means that your cat will have to put their head on the collar whenever they wish to sleep or relax. Even the most jovial of cats may become irritated by it because it’s painful for them. In order to prevent your cat from licking the affected area, a pillow collar still serves as a barrier. In addition to being more flexible than a hard plastic collar, these are also shorter, giving your cat a better field of vision.
It is possible that your cat will want to move backward to get out of a pillow collar, even though they are more pleasant than hard plastic collars. When a cat is determined to get out of the collar, it will usually accomplish so through double-jointed articulation or clawing and chewing. This can lead to serious harm.
Inflatable Collars
A travel pillow, such as an inflatable collar, can be purchased for use on flights and during travel. As long as you don’t try to puncture the velvety outer layer, you shouldn’t have a problem with them. You can fix a punctured cushion with cellophane tape, just like you would fix a puncture in a bicycle wheel.
Because this collar may be molded to accommodate your cat’s body position, she should be able to relax when lying down and moving around comfortably. Because it’s lighter than a typical collar and doesn’t protrude as far, it shouldn’t put your cat at risk of accidentally striking or knocking.
Neck Control Collar
Cats can’t fully swivel their heads because the neck control collar is so thick that it doesn’t protrude from the neck. Dogs are typically the target of this type of device, but there are several cat-specific variants available, and if you can persuade your pet to wear one, it can be really beneficial.
This sort of collar has the major problem of preventing your cat from fully moving her head to the side, which could lead to broken decorations. It’s not going to be a good fit for your cat, either.
