Wilson Veterinary, a vet clinic, says to measure your pet’s neck, choose a cone made for that neck size, and check that it reaches several inches past the nose, or go up a size. Then match the measurements to the maker’s own chart.
How a vet clinic says to fit one
- Neck: measure around your pet’s neck and choose the cone for that neck size.
- Length: the cone should reach several inches past the nose. If it doesn’t, go up a size.
- Snug: you should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and the neck, so your pet can still breathe and move around comfortably.
- Watch: keep a close eye on your pet to make sure it can’t reach the wound, and check the cone often for damage.
Humane World for Animals adds that your dog should still be able to eat and drink with the collar on, but not reach the healing site.
Comfy Cone sizes
| Size | Neck to snout | Around the neck (in) |
|---|---|---|
| X-small | 11 cm / 4.5 in | 9.25–11.75 |
| Small | 14 cm / 5.5 in | 10–12.5 |
| Small-long | 20 cm / 8 in | 10–12.5 |
| Medium | 20 cm / 8 in | 13.5–15.75 |
| Large | 25 cm / 10 in | 15–18.5 |
| Medium-extra long | 30 cm / 12 in | 13.25–15.75 |
| X-large | 30 cm / 12 in | 18.5–23.25 |
| XX-large | 36.5 cm / 14.5 in | 22–28.25 |
The chart lists Medium-extra long from 13.25 in around the neck and says it has the neck size of a Medium, which starts at 13.5 in. All Four Paws says to measure your dog before buying, and that the dog it suggests for each size is no guarantee of fit.
KONG E-Collar Cloud
KONG sizes its E-Collar Cloud by weight alone: Medium for 15–35 lb, Large for 30–65 lb and XLarge for 60–90 lb. Its page says the collar comes in five sizes, XS to XL, but lists only those three.
A weight band can’t tell you whether a collar keeps your dog away from the wound, so check that once it’s on.
How long it stays on
How long the cone stays on, and when it comes off, is up to the vet who treated your dog.