Best Inflatable Dog Collars

When your dog is recovering from a surgery or has an injury he’s not supposed to lick or chew, the safest and most convenient option is an elizabethan collar. Elizabethan collar, or as it is more commonly known, e-collar or pet cone, are protective accessories for dogs and cats who have an injury, wound, incision site, rash, hot spot, e.g. They are shaped like a truncated cone and are fitted like a collar (usually attached to the existing collar with tabs) and they are meant to prevent your pet from licking and chewing spots on his body, as well as scratch his face. Most cheap e-collars are rigid and made from plastic, but nowadays, soft alternatives to traditional pet cones are becoming more and more popular. The reason for this is that they still offer the kind of protection your pet needs but are much more comfortable to wear. Pets tend to dislike e-collars and can often make a big fuss when they have to wear one, and the chances for this happening are much lower when the elizabethan collar is made from soft materials. The most popular choice for soft cones, and with good reason, is inflatable dog collars.

There are different types of elizabethan collars, all with different advantages and disadvantages to them, and inflatable dog collars are loved for their unobtrusiveness and convenience. Like the classic rigid e-collar, inflatable dog collars also keep your pet from reaching the injured spot but do so without restricting his view or making him feel claustrophobic. While they’re not the same thing as travel pillows they do resemble them – they go around the neck (with secure fastenings) and are filled with air to create a barrier that doesn’t feel heavy on your pet. The innovative design of inflatable dog collars allows them to be lightweight and comfy while still being functional. Dogs can sleep while wearing inflatable collars, eat their meals, go on walks – there are no restrictions whatsoever, which is one of the main things that draws pet parents to these cones. No fuss, no hassle, and your pet will feel much more comfortable.

Why does my dog need an elizabethan collar?

To the misfortune of our dogs, e-collars are not optional when they are recovering from a spay or neuter surgery, have a hot spot they can’t stop picking, a wound or an incision site, etc. The reason for this is that dogs have a natural instinct to lick their wounds. A dog’s saliva is packed with healing enzymes and actually decently clean when compared to that of other animals (e.g. humans), so licking minor wounds could promote faster healing: it cleans the wound from dirt and debris and coats it with saliva that contains antibacterial compounds. However, this can work to a degree- you can let your pet lick a small scratch or a superficial wound that doesn’t require stitches. In all other cases, licking (and chewing that often follows it) could only worsen your pet’s conditions.

When your pet has an incision spot with sutures, his licking and chewing behavior could lead to him ripping out his stitches, leading to a repeat trip to the vet and possible complications such as an infection. In the case of a hot spot, further licking can only exacerbate the symptoms, and even introduce new problems such as severe damage to the skin. Needless to say, for the majority of problems, an e-collar will be a must-have. These protective accessories will restrict your dog’s access to the injured spot on their body or face and let it heal on its own (and with the help of creams, if applicable).

Types of e-collars for dogs: pros and cons

Even though all elizabethan collars have the same function, their design differs. After all, there are various ways to restrict a pet from reaching different areas of his body- even though if not all of them will be equally effective or equally comfortable. The main differences between types of e-collars are in the material used to make them, as well as the shape (not all of them look like cones). Here are the most popular elizabethan collar options for dogs:

Classic rigid cone

By far the most common option, these cheap, readily available e-collars are often dubbed ‘the cone of shame’ as they make your pooch look like a lampshade- albeit, an adorable one. They are made from plastic, either translucent or colored, and extend over your pet’s head. Not too surprisingly, dogs are not the biggest fans of plastic e-collars. These pet cones can completely obstruct your dog’s vision and make them feel claustrophobic, scared, and irritated, which in turn can lead to a whole other world of trouble. If possible, skip on the outdated classics in favor of less constraining (but still effective) options.

Soft elizabethan collars

As the name suggests, these e-collars are made from softer, more flexible materials than plastic. If the problem with the plastic elizabethan collar was that it chafes your pet’s neck, soft cones are a good alternative. They are still quite similar to the classic pet cone, though, and some of the issues will remain the same with these, too. Unless you go for the less common design which is the soft circular e-collars, your pet will still have obstructed vision and feel more restricted. Plus, if your pet is persistent to reach the wound, the less rigid form of the collar might be just what they need to break out of it.

Inflatable dog collars

This type of dog collars combines the best of two worlds: functionality and comfort. Designed as an inflatable cushion that fastens securely around your pet’s neck, inflatable dog collars are lightweight, comfy, and unobtrusive, as they won’t block your pet’s line of sight while he wears one. This doesn’t mean that these cushioned e-collars are not effective, though. This is basically a donut your pet wears around his neck, so he won’t be able to properly bend it to access most areas of his body. There are limitations to inflatable dog collars, of course, and for crafty doggos with wounds on less hard-to-reach spots, they might not be the most efficient solution.

Neck control collars

Resembling a neck brace to a degree, these elizabethan dog collars immobilize your dog’s neck, thus preventing them from reaching their incision site or hotspot. Naturally, these won’t work if your pet’s problem is located on his head, as dogs can still scratch when wearing a neck control collar. On the plus side, your pet will be able to eat, drink, and sleep without a problem. This is a less popular choice as it can still feel constricting but doesn’t offer the same level of protection as some other alternatives.

Ease of cleaning

Even though your dog probably won’t be wearing the e-collar for more than a few days or a few weeks, it doesn’t have to mean that you won’t have to clean the cone in the meantime. In fact, it’s highly likely you’ll have to, as your pet will be sleeping, eating, and drinking while having his e-collar on. Inflatable dog collars often have removable covers over the inflatable cushion, but even in cases they don’t, you should be sure to check if you can clean it with a damp cloth or rinse to remove stains and dirt that’s bound to appear.

How to place a collar on my dog?

To properly place a collar on your dog, unhook or unclasp it, place on the lower part of the dog’s neck and adjust the tightness- you should be able to put two fingers in between the collar and the neck, and then secure- either with a buckle or a clasp, depending on the collar design. The process is similar for inflatable dog collars- place around the neck and then inflate it. An even better option is to thread an existing dog collar through the inflatable e-collar for added security.

How tight should a dog collar be?

A dog’s collar shouldn’t be too tight nor too loose- you don’t want it to cause chafing or discomfort, but you don’t want your pet to be able to slide it over their head, either. A good rule of thumb is to leave two fingers worth of space between the collar and the neck- you should be able to wiggle your fingers in when the collar is snug on the neck. This will ensure that your pet is comfortable wearing the collar but still unable to get out of it unless you take it off.

For how long should my dog wear a collar?

Dogs shouldn’t wear collars all day long- even the comfiest of collars can irritate the skin, cause chaffing, and even hair loss and thinning after prolonged constant wear. General rule is to let your pet wear the collar during the day -at the very most- and take it off before you go to bed. During the night, the skin will be able to breathe and relax from friction, so you can safely put it back in the morning without worrying about discomfort.