The Pool Noodle Hack That Will Save Your Dog From The Dreaded Cone Of Shame

Taking a dog to the vet for surgery can be an emotional time. While you'll feel relief after being told the procedure went well, you and your pup will face a new challenge after pickup: the dreaded cone of shame. Veterinarians often prescribe a cone, also known as an Elizabethan collar, to keep a dog from licking their stitches or biting a certain area of their body. But with so many dog cone alternatives available to ensure a safe and speedy recovery, many vets designate cones as optional. One substitute that pet parents have tried is replacing the cone with a pool noodle.

Even if you've never had a dog wear an Elizabethan collar before, you've probably seen enough photos or videos to know how unpleasant they can be. They're rigid and awkward, and they create visual obstructions, so the poor dogs wearing them usually end up bumping into everything around them. Can a dog sleep with a cone on? Yes, but why make them do so if there are more comfortable alternatives?

A pool noodle is softer and more pliable than the standard plastic that veterinary cones are made from. Plus, you can buy one for under five bucks, which is cheaper than an Elizabethan collar that can cost upwards of $30. You can make the noodle collar in a couple different ways: the segmented method or the donut (one-piece) method. For both techniques, you'll only need a pair of scissors or a knife, your dog's collar or a paracord, and a cloth tape measure.

To make a segmented noodle collar, as shown in a YouTube video from lifestyle content creator Sandra Faustina, take your dog's regular collar and place it against the pool noodle. Make sure one end of the collar is flush with one end of the noodle. Since the noodle will be wrapped around your dog's neck, you'll need to expand the length of the collar to allow room for it later — if you plan to use the collar, that is. If you're using a paracord, cut it to a length that's about twice that of the expanded collar.

Now for the cutting. Cut the noodle to a length that's a few inches shorter than the standard collar, even if you don't plan to use it to secure the foam tube. This is because the paracord, when tied, will be about the same circumference as the standard collar. For the next step, cut the noodle into multiple sections of about 2 to 4 inches each. You can also hollow out the openings with scissors to increase their size.

Next, feed the collar or paracord through each tube until you have what looks like a giant candy necklace. If using your dog's regular collar, fasten it around their neck the way you normally would. If using a paracord, tie it around your dog's neck and make a knot, ensuring that it's secure. Cut off any excess pieces. For both approaches, make sure the collar or paracord isn't too tight. You should be able to fit at least two fingers snugly underneath it.

The second pool-noodle collar method involves creating a donut collar. As seen in a video posted by lifestyle TikToker Half Pint, you'll follow the same steps above to cut the noodle to size. However, because you'll be working with one long tube, you likely won't be able to hollow out the tube like you can with the segmented method. For reference, the average inner hole diameter of a standard pool noodle is about 1 inch.

To feed a standard collar through the tube, you can tie a piece of paracord or a cloth tape measure to the metal loop on the collar. Make sure the length of the cord is longer than that of the tube. Then, feed the cord or tape measure into the tube opening and pull it through the other end, holding on to the other end the entire time. If you did it correctly, you should see one end of the collar on either side of the noodle. Fasten the collar around your dog the way you normally would, keeping the "two-finger rule" in mind. Finally, make sizing adjustments as necessary.

Regardless of which method you choose, you'll have a cushioned, bulky collar that's thick enough to prevent your dog from reaching whatever part of their body that needs to heal. They should be able to eat and drink like normal. The pool-noodle collar also won't hinder their eyesight or cause them to bump into walls, furniture, or other pets around them. Speak with your veterinarian about making a pool-noodle collar before your dog's procedure for additional tips.