After surgery or an accidental injury, our cats have a tendency to lick the affected area. However, if it is licked and bitten, the lesion will become infected, and stitches may open if present.
To avoid these incidents, we all know the existence of Elizabethan collars, but if you find yourself in an emergency you will need to know some alternatives to the Elizabethan collar in cats In this article on our site we are going to list some of them, take note!
What is an Elizabethan collar? What is it for?
The Elizabethan collar is a resistant plastic collar with a conical shape that is placed on the cat's neck to prevent our cat from all bodily injuries, both surgical and accidental.
Licking and handling wounds interfere with their healing, contrary to what was thought many years ago. Also, after ophthalmological or dental surgeries it is used to prevent the cat from injuring itself with its paws.
If the cat gets used to it and doesn't have a bad time, it is the traditional and standardized method with which we prevent the cat from damaging its wounds. In addition, it is an economical and simple method. Currently, many of them have a rubber liner on their edge to prevent damage from it.
The appropriate size must be indicated by the veterinarian, since it should not be too small or too large and will be attached to a collar to an elastic gauze. The first day that he wears it, we must understand that our cat is more nervous or, on the contrary, does not practically move until he gets used to it.
6 alternatives to the Elizabethan collar in cats
Below, on our site we propose 6 alternatives to the Elizabethan collar in cats that can help you in an emergency:
- Bodysuit for cats: they are not particularly expensive and are perfect for preventing the cat from scratching or licking specific areas of the body, for example after a castration. We can find this product in pet supply stores or on the Internet.
- Premature Baby Bodysuit: The sizes of these bodysuits are ideal for kittens, just customize them by cutting out where the tail will go. With these bodysuits we will cover the abdominal and dorsal wounds, so care must be taken that they do not macerate as they present more moisture than if the wound were exposed to the air, which in most cases is ideal.
- Inflatable Neck Collar: These are very popular and appreciated nowadays. They surround the neck and do not impede peripheral vision, something that usually bothers them quite a bit. They are more comfortable and ergonomic than classic neck braces. We can buy them online, at a veterinary clinic or at a pet products store.
- Fabric or EVA material collar: softer and more flexible than plastic, but difficult to find on the market. You should go to a specialized veterinary center.
- Rigid cervical collar: Like the ones mentioned above, these types of products are difficult to find on the market, so what should go to a veterinary clinic. In addition, its price is very high.
- Paw socks: Placed carefully not to compress too much, they can help prevent the feline from rubbing its paws in a wound and hurt yourself. You can also use cohesive bandages, sold at any pharmacy, which adhere only to themselves.
Recommendations related to the Elizabethan collar
From our site we want to highlight that the best options for our cats are the classic Elizabethan collars and commercial or premature baby bodysuits. The method to use will depend a lot on the character of the cat and you can try several until you find the right one. We also help you solve some frequent problems:
My cat takes off her Elizabethan collar
It is common for cats to try to remove the Elizabethan collar and, in short, anything that we place on them. If your cat tries or is able to remove the Elizabethan collar, it will be essential to bet on other options, yes, after ensuring that the size is correct and that is well adjusted
My cat licks the wound too
Maybe it's because the collar isn't tight enough, even so, sometimes it will still be able to if it has enough stretch. If we observe that our cat manages to lick and touch the wounds even taking the appropriate measures and trying the alternatives already mentioned, we must communicate it to our veterinarian to evaluate other options that actually prevent the cat from injuring itself.
My cat cannot eat or drink properly
In these cases it is advisable to place the feeder or drinker directly on the ground, so that the feline can feed and drink without any problem. We can also sow, that is, spread the food on the ground, to make it easier for you.
My cat has a wound caused by the Elizabethan collar
Although many commercial collars have a rubber band incorporated to prevent this type of problem, it can sometimes happen that the cat suffers injuries caused by this tool. We recommend replace the collar with a body and contact your veterinarian to treat the wound
My cat is very nervous
There are on the market food supplements and feed that are supplemented with mixtures of amino acids and vitamins that will help our cat to cope with these situations more stressful. We can also find synthetic pheromones, currently very popular.
Finally we can try to distract him and relieve nervousness with caresses, food vending toys, intelligence toys, classical music, the presence of a friend or different relaxation activities.
