07/23/2025
With so many options these days for recovery suits, cones, and donut collars, how do you know which one to pick? Lets talk about it! Keeping a cone on a cat is much easier said than done, and so a recovery suit that can be clipped on may be a better option. Donut collars can be useful for keeping a dog away from licking an incision that is directly under the cone, but for an animal who has just been spayed or neutered, a traditional plastic cone would be the gold standard (And as a bonus, it can reduce the risk of ear infections for long term use since it doesn't trap moisture around the ear the same way a traditional cone does). Fabric cones can be a good option for big dogs that have a tendency to scrape paint off the walls or move tables as they move around the house, and you size them the same way you would a plastic cone (The end of the cone should sit at the end of the dogs nose, and can be secured around their neck by fastening it to the collar). Dogs that are muzzle trained can comfortably wear muzzles with a plastic interceptor at the end so they cannot lick their sutures out, but its important to remember that will any of these options, supervised breaks can and should be given. Never remove your pets cone, body suit, or muzzle when you are not able to supervise them, as even the most well behaved pet can do a lot of damage within a few minutes. There are pros and cons for each option listed above, and if you need help figuring out which one is right for your pet we encourage you to talk to your Veterinarian during their pre-surgery consult visit.
