What can I do? Solid deodorant sometimes will work to stop licking—same thing, apply it around the incision. Too much of this can be bad for your pet, though, so if he or she continues licking, you will need to find another solution. T shirts and onsies can also work to help block licking.
Alternatives to the “cone of shame” are inflatable collars, soft E-collars and neck brace collars. Try covering the wound with soft fabric secured by medical tape to prevent licking. Keep pets busy with other fun things to distract them from licking wounds.
If your cat persists in licking her incision, you may need to use an Elizabethan collar (E-collar or cone) to prevent this behavior (see handout “Elizabethan Collars in Cats” for more information). Not surprisingly, many cats find these collars strange at first and will attempt to remove them.
Flexible fabric E-collars: Soft and flexible yet keep most dogs away from their wound site. Neck control collars: Immobilize your dog's neck so he can't access the surgical site. Inflatable E-collars: Puffy and padded but not the best option for determined chewers.
One of the simplest alternatives for the cone of shame is to dress your cat or small dog in a onesie. A onesie will provide full coverage for your pet, covering their torso, preventing them from licking or tearing at any stitches.
The most important things
Absolutely no licking of the incision area is allowed! If your pet is going to lick or begins to lick their incision, they need to wear an E-Collar (plastic cone) for 7-10 days after surgery. A pet can pull out stitches easily which can lead much more damage.
There is an animal-friendly alternative for the cone: medical protective apparel. The Medical Pet Shirt® protects and covers the pet's body after a medical procedure like neutering, during recovery, in case of skin problems or whenever protection is needed.
Most cats should wear their cone for 5-7 days after neutering to avoid licking the incision. Most scrotal incisions heal very quickly. If an abdominal incision was necessary to remove retained testicle(s), then the cone should remain on for 10-14 days or until your cat's recheck examination to assess healing.
Another option is to bandage the wound to prevent the cat from licking or biting it. The dressing must be tight enough to stay on, but not so tight that it causes discomfort. You can buy special cat bandages with a bitter taste to deter your cat from chewing or biting them.
Bandages can be readily applied to the head, neck, chest, tail, or lower legs of a cat.
If you need to clean discharge from around your cat's incision, use a clean cloth or gauze slightly moistened with warm water and be very gentle. Avoid alcohol and hydrogen peroxide unless instructed by your veterinarian, as these products can cause discomfort and slow healing.
Triple Antibiotic Ointment is a combination of three antibiotics for cats and dogs: Bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B. It is used as a first aid for wounds in cats and dogs. A popular dog and cat medication, it is used to treat bacterial infections of minor cuts, burns or scrapes on the skin of the animal.
An Elizabethan collar (also known as an E-collar or the cone of shame) is a plastic or fabric hood or cone that helps protect injuries or wounds from further damage. These collars prevent the cat from licking or chewing at an injury on its body, or from scratching or pawing at its face or head.
You pet can pee, poop, eat, drink and sleep with the cone on. There are other options but they don't work as well. You can use bitter apple around the wound but some pets love the taste of it. There are softer collars at the pet store and they could be tried too.
Take a paper plate, cut a circle in the middle, put it around the cat's neck and duct tape it to fit. It works amazingly well and is light and comfortable for the cat (as opposed to those plastic cones). Home-made Cat cone of shame - (don't like that name but it's what people know it as now).
To keep him from pulling the cone off, I tied a long ribbon (actually a bandage) through the loops in the cone, once around his neck, crossing down on his chest - behind the front legs - and crossing once more on his back, before connecting to the loops in the cone again. Then it is neatly tied with a bow on his back.
If your cat licks at a wound, they may cause the wound to become infected, which is never good. Your cat may be able to get away with licking minor wounds, but a more serious wound could get infected by a cat lick and put the cat through a lot more unnecessary pain.
Prevent your pet from licking the surgery site as licking at the incision can cause a painful infection. Your pet's E-collar should prevent him/her from licking. Please use the E-collar for seven to 10 days after surgery.
In a normal, healthy cat, properly healing, non-infected incisions typically heal within 10 – 14 days and a permanent scar forms within about 14 – 21 days.
Due to the specially tailored opening on the back, the majority of cats can use the litterbox while wearing the shirt fully closed.
Water may not only disrupt surgical glue at the incision site, but it may also attract moisture-loving bacteria. If your veterinarian directs you to clean your cat's incision, make sure the area is thoroughly dried to reduce the risk of infection.
Be gentle as the skin around the wound is often sensitive and easily damaged. A little bit of Vaseline placed into the wound first can help catch any stray hairs and can then be gently removed afterwards.
Step 1: Position yourself so the cat's head is to your left. Step 2: Reach with your right hand over the cat's body and under its chest so the chest is resting in your palm. Step 3: Lift the cat firmly toward you so that its body is secured between your forearm and your body.