Alternatives to the cone of shame?

[KateKat]

My cat got an abscess right at the base of his tail (on his back) that I had drained on Monday. Of course, since he had been licking the area there is a lovely raw patch that has to heal, thus he has been put in the cone of shame.

I have never seen a cat deal with it as poorly as he is dealing with it. And I’ve owned a lot of cats.

I mean seriously, he doesn’t even know how to cat anymore. He just yowls and hides in the closet with his cone pressed up against the wall. It would be really sad if it also wasn’t kind of funny.

Anyway…I’m looking for some suggestions on how to alleviate this torture he feels he is enduring right now. It area where the abscess was makes it impossible to bandage or really cover, without also covering his butt.

TIA!

[Simkie]

I wonder if a bite not collar would work?

http://www.bitenot.com/ForCats.htm

[arapaloosa_lady]

There are soft E-collars, http://www.amazon.com/TCOA-Soft-E-Collar-Sz-3/dp/B003XLBRGE, but many animals learn how to get around them.

[TrueColours]

The Novaguard has been used successfully with dogs and cats

http://www.truecoloursproducts.com/collections/frontpage/products/novaguard-the-is-best-alternative-to-the-elizabethan-collar-authorized-canadian-distributor

Here is a short video clip of the Novaguard being used on a cat following surgery. This video was taken 10 minutes after the Novaguard was used for the first time on the cat. They are VERY well accepted by dogs and cats alike! And because of their tapered, face framing design (NOT cone shaped!) they can still go through narrow openings, doorways, around furniture, etc without bumping into things and can eat, drink, play, etc with no
issues at all …
https://www.facebook.com/aniprotec.com/videos/852525084772140/

[KateKat]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Cat has finally decided COS isn’t that bad and is at least walking around like a normal cat. He’s still crying whenever I come into the room to see him…but I think its just a ploy

[Belmont]

[QUOTE=KateKat;8261345]
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Cat has finally decided COS isn’t that bad and is at least walking around like a normal cat. He’s still crying whenever I come into the room to see him…but I think its just a ploy ;)[/QUOTE]

Most animals get used to the COS eventually. Just pull food and water bowls away from the wall, and make sure your litter box doesnt have a lid on it. Kitty will be fine!

There are soft collars and inflatable tubes, but the tube wouldn’t work in your case and soft collars are easy to get around.

[KateKat]

I did actually also end up buying him one of those kitty “suits”…basically a cat onesie. I figure I would like him to rejoin the general cat population in the next couple days but he’ll still need to wear something over the spot until its totally healed. The onesie seemed like a good solution.