Wear a Jumpsuit Instead of a “shame Bump”
If your pet has ever recovered from surgery, you will remember how much they hate the Elizabethan collar , also known as the “cone of shame,” that hard plastic cone that wraps around their neck, preventing them from licking or tearing the stitches. The cone of shame not only creates discomfort, but also limits their field of vision, and it becomes more difficult for them to eat or drink.
The good news is that there are some more comfortable alternatives to the cone of shame that will make you and your pet feel a little calmer.
To learn more about pet grooming, watch the video below:
Dress your pet in a jumpsuit
One of the easiest ways to get rid of a bump of shame is to dress your cat or small dog in overalls . The jumpsuit will provide complete cover for your pet by covering its torso, preventing it from licking or tearing any seams. It’s also a much more delicious option.
When it comes to dressing your pet in a jumpsuit, you need to choose the right size. When I tried this on my cats, my 11 pound cat needed a nine month old jumpsuit and my 17 pound cat needed an 18 month old jumpsuit. (As you can see in the next photo, my 17-pound cat Cement looked very grumpy in his overalls, but this is nothing new.)
Depending on where the seams are, you may need a full jumpsuit with snaps at the bottom for which you need to cut a hole for the tail, or if you don’t need as much coverage, you can use a baby shirt that covers the shoulders and top. belly.
You may also need to tweak the jumpsuit a bit to make sure it fits comfortably, whether it’s scissors to expose the openings for the arms or neck, or pinning the torso for a snug fit.
Cut your old T-shirt
If you don’t have a jumpsuit on hand, another alternative is to cut an old T-shirt into a recovery suit. For this option, you’ll cut a large square out of fabric, cut through four holes for the arms and legs, place your cat or small dog in the leg / arm holes, and then use safety pins to secure everything.
You will need to adjust the leg and arm holes for your pet, and when it comes to securing the suit, for convenience, you’ll want to pin the top of your pet, not the belly. If your pet is patient enough, you can try using a darning needle and some yarn to sew the jacket in place instead of safety pins. (You will have to cut them out of the jacket, but this is why you are using an old T-shirt.)
Store-bought options
If you’re not in the mood for DIY, you can shop for an alternative to a hard plastic collar at the store. Some of these options include a padded collar that snaps around your pet’s neck and an inflatable collar that looks like a large fluffy donut.
So when your pet comes home from the vet and looks miserable due to recent surgery, you will have some more comfortable (and delightful) options for him, rather than exacerbating his humiliation with a cone of shame. Just be sure to take a photo.