Recovery Collar

In another lifetime, I worked as a vet tech. We dispensed quite a large number of hard cardboard Elizabethan Collars that we laced up around the pet’s neck to encase them in a cone, sometimes referred to as “the bucket” or “the lampshade.” I can’t remember a single cat or d*g that enjoyed the experience, and kitties in particular detested wearing these things. Shy cats simply crouched in place and refused to move. More outgoing kitties banged the collar or scraped it against walls. I suppose the cats decided, “If I’m gonna be aggravated by this @#$%^ thing, then my humans are, too!” They needed to wear them, of course, to prevent nibbling or clawing at a wound. The collars help injuries heal. And these days, many veterinary clinics continue to dispense Elizabethan collars. They’re no longer cardboard, and instead usually are made of bulky plastic, and they fit much better than in the old days. But cats still hate them. Cats still refuse to move too much. Even worse, wearing these makes many cats reluctant to eat. Enter the “recovery collar.” It’s still a lampshade of sorts, but rather than hard plastic, the soft vinyl is lightweight. Softer means more comfort for the patient, and easier to maneuver means cats are more likely to eat during their recovery period. This new product comes in five sizes--even for tiny kittens! You can learn more here.