2 Ways to Make Pool Noodle Dog Collar [Unshreddable]

I had an epiphany while reading up for this article:

“Tho a pool noodle cone is way comfier than typical recovery collars, what’d become of it if a flexible canine still paws it vigorously to get it off him at any cost… shreds, right?”

I curiously hopped online to see how trying it out has turned out for people.

Here’s what I found:

About 91% of people, who tried it, didn’t have to look for the least itchy yet effective recovery cone.

But there was still reluctance I saw towards it.

There were some sceptical that their dog would shred/chew it away (and dreaded cones were freaking their dogs out).

And that made me ponder over making it indestructible so it can become a go-to contraption for preventing dogs from gaining access to sutures/wounds.

And just then, the idea of wrapping pool noodle cone in fabric chimed in my mind, and that without sewing.

So I checked online whether it’s done and saw people wrapping pool noodles, not for this, but for different purposes. And it works.

So read ahead to discover:

• 2 ways to make a dog collar out of pool noodle(s)
• How to make a pool noodle cone unchewable and unshreddable
• And much more.

Supplies Required

• Any dog collar/ribbon/rope/twine / strong string (we recommend a dog collar)

• Pool noodles (try to get hollow pool noodles, else, you would have to cut/make holes through every pool noodle section yourself, which can result in a mess-up)

You can buy the recommended pool noodles from this link.

• Scissor (not recommended for cutting, can be used for trimming) or serrated knife
• A beautiful wide, long strip of fabric (for two reasons)
• Duct tape / vet-wrap velcro
• Measuring tape (tape measure)

Way # 1

1. Measure the circumference/size of your pooch’s neck to know what length cone is required.

2. Add some extra inches to it (the measurement), like around 3 or 4, and extend or adjust the collar that long.

Or, if have twine/string, add around 9 inches to the measurement and cut it to that length long.

The cone doesn’t have to be too loose or tight. Loose or extra can be adjusted/cut but anything short can’t be extended later.

A perfect size is what lets you:

• tie or buckle the collar easily
• fit your two fingers

Plus, doesn’t choke your pooch once put on and fits snugly.

3. Now, either keep the pool noodles on a table or wherever it’s convenient for you. And keeping forth your dog’s neck (take some insights from the image below), start cutting pieces between 2 -5 inches off out of it with a knife (the way you usually cut round pieces out of Daikon Radish) as shown in the picture below:

Considering the length of the collar or twine, ensure you cut enough pieces to fill the string.

The thicker your dog’s neck, the more and thicker pieces are required.

3. Now, start passing the collar or twine through the holes of pool noodle sections, adjust it (spare enough length on both sides of twine/string to knot them later in case of a string), and buckle the collar (or knot the twine’s both ends and cut the extra flare (IYKYK)).

It should end up resembling a beaded necklace of pool noodles.

4. Proper POOL NOODLE SECTIONS by leaving some space among them, don’t let them accumulate close to each other.

5. Wear your pooch the collar and adjust it, see how he reacts to it. To know whether it is done right, see if he can turn or bend his neck close to his incision or wound (he shouldn’t be able to do that).

Wanna know how to validate it? Here is a woman doing after wearing a towel dog cone.

6. Take it off.

Making Collar Unshreddable

Let’s make the collar INDESTRUCTIBLE against your canine’s attacks.

Pool noodles and a dog collar alone neither look good nor work fine (barely), especially on aggressive dogs.

You need something as protecting shield.

Wrap the collar inside some fabric and use duct tape or vet-wrap velcro to secure it.

This way skepticalness of it being easily shreddable becomes zero. You don’t have to sew, you just have to use some adherent tapes.

It wouldn’t only make the collar unchewable and unshreddable but good-looking too (this trick will surely help a thousand owners escape irritating recovery cones).

You can get some insights from the image below, a lady has made his simple nylon collar pretty presentable. You can use multiple pool noodles of different colours to make the collar more stylish.

Way # 2 (not recommended for “no-neck” dogs)

If you don’t want to involve in the back-breaking process, you can cut pool noodles your dog’s neck circumference long or cut the pool noodle into two halves rather than cutting them into many pieces and loop them through the dog collar or the twine as this dog owner has done:

The gist: Whatever way you make it, just wrap it with some fabric cover.

A Tip

For maximum results, you can double it up. Make two pool noodles cones.

Others would use a longer string so they can loop it back through every noodle piece. 

Be Mindful

When buying pool noodles, keep your dog’s neck thickness in mind. Use larger/thicker pool noodles for big dogs and smaller/thinner for small dogs.

• Want to replace the inflatable dog cone? Here is how to make one like that at home.

Few FAQs regarding Pool Noodle Dog Collar

Here are a few repeatedly asked questions answered below;

What is a pool noodle dog collar? Is it worth putting effort into it?

The name is quite self-explanatory — an e-collar that is made of pool noodles. It is a lightweight, breathable, less itchy, cosy collar that easily can revolve around the neck, which can help prevent your pupper from licking his wounds with a 97% success rate. It is not irritating like typical recovery collars that make your pooch fidget with restlessness.

It has got potential to make recovery way more comfortable and easy.

Don’t judge it for its weight, it is capable to stop your dog from gaining access to its wounds. Even if you’re sceptical of it, I wanna tell you we usually happen to have a dog collar and pool noodles at home, so giving it an attempt wouldn’t cost you much.

Why one should choose a pool noodle collar over a regular healing collar/cone?

A pool noodle collar easily offsets a regular recovery cone as it can impede your dog from licking his wounds or stitches/sutures. To my surprise, during research, I found typical recovery cones have deteriorated the life quality of dogs by up to 80% by impacting negatively their way of consuming and excreting, causing skin irritation, causing their neck to stay constant, etc.

Other than that, it is light, spongy, and breathable, due to which more dog owners are preferring pool noodle cones over typical healing cones.

The eating bowl is on the ground, is there a way to help make it easier for my dog to eat without him bowing down and me going out and buying a new stand-up bowl?

You can put a bowl in a small wastebasket or a plant stand, or a potted plant, or can use a shallow bowl.

If your dog belongs to brachycephalic dog breeds such as Pug, Bulldog, etc., then you can take it off while his mealtime.

Would a pool noodle collar work on every dog?

Well, if you don’t do the fabric thing, it might not work for naughty, cheeky, and flexible dogs with long legs and sharp paws. They might shred it away. Otherwise, it would work perfectly for any sort of dog, depending on the site of the suture on his body.

My dog will look weird or ugly in this collar thing, what are the other alternatives to a collar?

Bandages, surgical suits, and T-shirts can be replacements for Elizabethan collars.

They can refrain your dog from licking, but your dog will look ugly or weird in those too. You should keep the long-term benefit of the collar in mind. Your dog might start looking ugly, but he will get his wounds healed.

Why do dogs lick wounds? I heard it has healing capability. If that is true, why do we stop them?

Dogs lick their wound because it gives them comfort and releases pain. Their licking has antibacterial properties, for sure that give them relief, but it can cause more harm than good. If their licking goes intensified, they can spoil the tissues around the wound and get some infections of different kinds.

So there is more bad than good.

Licking

Wound-licking is an animal’s instinct, which is pretty common. They do this to assuage pain, and irritation and get their wounds clean. But when it is not in their favour, like when they have wounds—their tissues around wounds can damage, we have to come right in there. Always remember that their licking can make them prone/vulnerable to bacteria and awful infections.

Though studies show that dogs should not even lick their paws. But dogs are not humans, so they don’t know the consequences of licking wounds. You can stop them by putting a pool noodle collar on, which is also known as the Elizabethan collar or cone of shame. No doubt, your dog might have to compromise its beauty, but you have to keep your eyes on the long-term benefits.

Your pooch will, for sure, give you alluring and innocent puppy looks to get you in its trap, but you don’t have to be using your head here over your heart.

Usually, we use these pool noodle collars after our dog has gone through surgery.

Last Words on Making Collar out of Pool Noodles

Making a pool noodle dog collar is as same as a making pearl bead necklace. Just loop the objects.

There are times when we are left with no choice apart from wearing our pooch terrible cones, so why not a way more comfortable pool noodle collar? Because something has to be on your dog when he is injured or has an incision. And you can make his recovery as if nothing happened.

You will get your pooch reluctant to wear this fancy-looking collar (maybe weird). It might give you cute and alluring looks or fidget to remove it from over it, but you don’t have to be trapped.

If your canine is aggressive, it might try to tear it down, and the collar may not last long. So, in that case, you might need something strong and long-lasting material for the collar.

Though these collars are comfortable and supportive almost all the time, a few dogs, especially, small dogs might face it hard to eat food. You can get your dog rid of it during mealtime but supervise it, so it does not lick while having food.

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