Product Review: VetOne ElizaSoft Recovery Collar

VetOne's ElizaSoft Recovery Collar is a flexible alternative to the traditional Cone of Shame. The soft cone is machine washable, folds flat for easy storage, and is made in the USA. It is available in six sizes.

Photo by Erin Koski

I can't remember where I got this soft cone, but I've kept it around because it's so convenient. It's soft enough for the girls to wear in their crates, which is impressive if you've ever tried to crate a dog wearing a traditional cone. It also doesn't hurt when a boisterous puppy smashes it into your shins.

I haven't yet needed to use it, so I have no idea how the ElizaSoft Collar compares to my other two Cone of Shame options, the ZenPet and the Cloud Collar. Both of those are inflatable donuts, I could use this with either of them for extra protection.

There are a lot of practical reasons to love this collar. It doesn't distort sounds like a big plastic cone. It's way easier to store, too. I think my favorite feature is that it is machine washable. We got to test that when Zip barfed all over it. Went through the wash and came out like new!

Pros

• Soft
• Quiet
• Doesn't smash into things
• Doesn't distort sounds
• Fits in crates and through doorways
• Folds up and fits in a drawer easily
• Machine washable

Cons

• Probably not as protective as a rigid plastic cone

Bottom Line

This is the perfect in-case-of-emergency cone. It's great for sensitive dogs, as well as those that like to use their rigid cone as a bulldozer.

Product Review: Kong Cloud Collar

Kong's Cloud Collar is an inflatable alternative to those big plastic lampshade cones. It comes with a soft machine-washable cover, and does not leave bruises when your puppy smashes it into your leg. Comes in five sizes (ours is a Large).

Photo by Erin Koski

I used this collar while Sisci was recovering from her spay surgery a few months ago. I had originally tried a soft head cone for her, but it was too scary for her to move around in. The Cloud Collar doesn't obstruct her vision or make the world sound weird, so she was perfectly happy to wear it around the clock for three weeks (The clinic said two weeks but I was feeling paranoid).

I had thought that this size large collar was significantly larger than the recommended size for Sis, but according to the package it is exactly the right size. It works just like the ZenPet Procollar, but the Cloud Collar is a bit bigger and I feel it provides more protection.

Pros: Way more comfortable than a rigid or flexible head cone. Does not obstruct vision or impact hearing. Can size up for more protection. Easy to store when deflated.

Cons: Not as reliable as a big plastic head cone, pet can still reach some parts of their body. Can be popped and then provide no protection at all.

Bottom Line: Sisci can be spooky about backpacks and other bulky things that I make her wear, but she literally does not notice the Kong Cloud Collar.

Product Review: ZenPet Procollar

The ZenPet ProCollar is an inflatable alternative to the traditional big plastic lampshade collar for dogs that have just had surgery or otherwise need to be prevented from chewing or scratching themselves. The inflatable core is surrounded by a washable cover that attaches to a regular quick-release buckle collar. Replacement for the inflatable part are available from ZenPet. The ProCollar is available in size sizes to fit pets with necks smaller than 6" and up to 22" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

Our Procollar is a size large, for 13-18" necks. Brisbane has about a 16" neck and the collar looks and feels a bit big on him. I bought it when we did the dramatic shavedown and I was worried about Briz chewing up his delicate naked skin.

We didn't end up needing the inflatable donut collar, but I did lend it to a friend for her dog. Penny is just about the same size and Brisbane, and she had to have a back toe amputated. Unfortunately, Penny had no trouble at all chewing her bandages off while Wearing the ProCollar.

I've had dogs come into daycare wearing ProCollars and have had similar experiences. For some dogs it's a big enough deterrent to keep them from chewing their bodies or scratching their faces, but most figure out how to work around it before long. ZenPet says to try the next size up for the dogs that work around it, but I'm sure there's a limit to how much bigger a collar you can use before you can't make it work right.

Photo by Erin Koski

The ProCollar is a C-shape that opens up, and closes with a long strip of velcro. On the inner edge there are loops through which the dog's regular buckle collar is passed. The regular collar is then buckled around the dog's neck and the velcro fastened to keep the ProCollar shut. On a donut several sizes larger than the recommended size, the regular collar will not be able to pass through all the loops to keep it on securely.

Pros: Comfortable for extended wear. Does not trap moisture against a drooly dog's chin and neck. Does not obstruct vision. Does not alter hearing or make everything sound weird. Does not make you curse wildly when an over-exuberant dog smashes it into your knees. Washable.

Cons: Is not as effective as a giant plastic Elizabethan collar. Unlike the Cone of Shame, many dogs can bend around it, making chewing their feet or tails pretty easy still. It's inflatable so it can pop.

Bottom Line: Part Cone of Shame, part air mattress for your dog's neck. This will probably work on Brisbane because he is easily deterred from hurting himself. So far all the determined dogs I've used them on have just gotten more flexible and/or creative.