How To Make An E-Collar For A Cat

If you have ever owned a cat, you know what a great asset an E-collar is for a cat, especially when it is injured or has undergone surgery. E-collars prevent cats from lciking themselves around a wound or surgery site.

A DIY E-collar is simple to make and needs only a few things that you probably already have in your home. Let’s look at a few E-collars you can make with easy-to-find materials.

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What Is An E-Collar?

An E-collar for cats is also referred to as an Elizabethan collar and is used to prevent cats from licking, scratching, or irritating wound sites that need healing. These activities can put the wound site at risk for infection or further injury.

The Elizabethan collar gets its name due to its appearance resembling the Elizabethan ruff, a piece of attire common during the Elizabethan era.

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How Does An E-Collar Work For A Cat?

E-collars, also known as cat cones, are usually made of rigid plastic and fastened to the cat’s neck using an elastic gauze or clasp. These collars can be made using various materials found at home as well.

Cats require these collars when there are wounds caused by injuries or surgical stitches. The collar reduces the cat’s range of motion, thereby preventing them from further irritating the wound or surgery site.

The collar comes in cone form, making it possible for the cat to see from the front while making it difficult to reach and lick various parts of its body.

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How To Make Different Types Of E-Collars For Cats

Although you can buy cat E-collars from pet stores, it’s simple to make them at home using things you have. You may not even imagine that it’s possible to make E-collars out of the materials you are about to learn below.

Due to convenience and cost-effectiveness, DIY cat E-collars are becoming more popular among pet owners. Let’s look at how you can make these E-collars at home.

Cardboard E-Collar

Cardboard is easy to find at any home and is a simple E-collar to make for cats.

Materials required

• Cardboard
• Pencil
• Ruler
• A pair of scissors
• Tape
• Compass
• Puncher
• ribbon

Method

• Measure the distance from your cat’s nose to the collar rest and add an inch to it to determine the collar height.
• Measure the diameter of your cat’s neck.
• Draw a circle on the cardboard with these measurements using a compass, pencil, and ruler.
• Cut around the circle and then cut out the traced diameter.
• Inside this circle, draw another smaller circle with half of the diameter of the first. (Keep an allowance of ½ inch).
• Cut out the small circle.
• Fold the circle into a cone shape and connect the edges using tape.
• Punch 4 to 5 holes around the inner circle and send the end of a ribbon through them.
• Know the end of the ribbon to secure the collar around your cat’s neck.

Paper Plate E-Collar

If you are someone who keeps paper plates to avoid doing dishes, then this E-collar is simple to make with what you have in hand.

Materials required

• Paper plate
• Pair of scissors

Method

• Cut a straight line to the center of the paper plate and cut a circle in the middle.
• Keep the resulting collar shape around your cat’s neck to determine the correct size.
• Staple the edges to create your cat’s E-collar.

Butter Container E-Collar

This E-collar is a strong one that will be difficult for your cat to destroy.

Materials required

• Butter container
• Pair of scissors
• Knife
• Tape
• String

Method

• Measure your cat’s collar size, keeping an extra inch to allow its ears to poke through.
• Cut a hole at the bottom of the butter container using a knife.
• Blunt any sharp edges using a pair of scissors and tape the edges to prevent them from irritating your cat’s skin.
• Poke from 1 to 2 holes on the two sides at the bottom of the container.
• Take a string through the holes, slide the container on top of your cat’s head, and fasten the string.

Towel E-Collar

You’re sure to have some extra towels, not in use in your home. These towels, including hand towels, can be used to make a simple E-collar for your cat.

Materials required

• Towel
• Adhesive tape

Method

• Wrap a towel around your cat’s neck, ensuring it’s not too tight that your cat can’t breathe or too loose to fall off.
• Fasten the two ends of the towel using adhesive tape to make a simple E-collar for your cat.

Poster Board E-Collar

The poster board collar is a fun activity you can try out with the help of your kids. It can help test your math skills as well.

Materials required

• Poster board
• Pair of scissors
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Tape

Method

• Measure the distance from your cat’s nose to where the collar usually sits on its neck and add an extra inch to this value.
• Cut out a circle with a diameter double the above measurement.
• Cut a line down the circle’s radius.
• Measure the circumference of your cat’s neck and divide this value by four.
• Create a circle with a radius of this value and cut it out.
• Make a cone out of the larger circle and connect the edges with tape to make an E-collar for your cat.

Tube Sock E-Collar

Socks are also something you have lying around in pairs in your home. A pair of socks you don’t use can become handy for making an E-collar for your cat. It is one of the cheapest options available and one that is very comfortable for your cat.

Materials required

• Tube socks
• Plastic bags
• Rubber bands

Method

• Fill the tube sock with plastic bags.
• Attach the sock around your cat’s neck and secure it using rubber bands to make an E-collar for your cat.

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Tips When Making An E-Collar For A Cat

Here are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure that your cat gets an E-collar that is comfortable.

• Let your cat inspect the E-collar by hanging it somewhere it can see.
• Initially, put the collar on your cat for a little while to test if it’s the correct tightness and make it get used to wearing.
• Secure the collar using fabric such as a ribbon to prevent your cat from removing it.

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Advantages Of Homemade E-Collars For Cats

DIY E-collars for cats are the latest trend, and there are many benefits to this.

• It’s cost-effective.
• It is easy to make.
• It takes less time to make.
• It teaches you new skills and improves some of the skills you already have.
• It helps you spend more quality time.

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Alternatives For Homemade E-Collars

If you’re not creative enough or can’t be bothered to make an E-collar at home, below are a few options that you can try out as an alternative.

• Onesies and bodysuits for cats
• Soft cloth E-collars
• Inflatable E-collars
• Cervical collars

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Other Types Of E-Collars Available For Pets

People often tend to confuse Elizabethan collars with e-collars available for cats. An e-collar or shock collar is used for training pets and allows pet owners to send an electric shock to cats through the press of a button on the remote.

The prongs on the e-collar make contact with the cat’s skin, thereby sending a mild shock as a warning to help change unwanted behavior.

An Elizabethan collar is different from an e-collar, as the former is mainly used to prevent cats from licking from wound sites.

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Conclusion

Making an E-collar for a cat is simple, quick, and cost-effective. In addition, you can do it using multiple things available right in your home.

Next time you need an E-collar for your cat, don’t rush to the pet store. You can easily make any one of the E-collars above by yourself.

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FAQs

My Cat Keeps Removing The E-Collar; What Should I Do?

Ensure that the E-collar is not too tight on your cat. Try to feed your cat or give it treats to keep it distracted from this activity.

How Tight Should A Cat E-Collar Be?

The collar should be loose enough that you can insert two fingers between it and your cat’s neck. The gap should not be more than this, as then the E-collar could easily fall off your cat’s neck.

Can My Cat Sleep With The E-Collar?

Cats can eat, drink, and sleep with the E-collar. All these activities are encouraged as doing these will encourage your cat to get used to wearing the E-collar.

How Long Should I Keep The E-Collar On My Cat?

You need to keep the E-collar on your cat until the wound has completely healed. This time could range between a few days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the wound.