Preventing Licking: A Pet Parent’s Guide to Dog Healing Options

When your dog is home and recovering from surgery or injury, you’re probably dealing with the same frustrating (and stressful) situation many pet parents face: your dog won’t stop trying to lick the surgical site.

Licking is a normal instinct. Dogs lick sore spots the way we might rub a sore muscle. But after surgery, licking can quickly turn into a real problem. Constant licking causes irritation and can lead to infection. The good news: there are several effective ways to stop it, and you don’t always have to rely only on the hard plastic cone your vet sends home.

Below is a practical guide to the most common recovery tools—traditional plastic cone,  soft cones, inflatable donut collars, Bite-Not/neck brace collars, and full-body recovery suits—plus a few extra tips that make recovery easier.

Why dogs lick wounds (and why it’s risky after surgery)

Dogs lick because it can feel soothing—and sometimes they’re reacting to:

• itchiness as healing starts
• irritation from stitches or staples
• discomfort or inflammation
• boredom and restlessness while activity is restricted

But after surgery, persistent licking can:

• introduce bacteria and increase infection risk
• reopen the incision or pull out stitches
• create hot spots (moist dermatitis) around the site
• slow healing and prolong recovery time

That’s why preventing licking early is so important—especially in the first several days after surgery.

The plastic cone your vet sends home

Most clinics send dogs home in a hard plastic Elizabethan collar (often called the “e-collar” or “cone of shame”). It’s the classic option for a reason.

Why plastic cones work

• Very effective at blocking access to many wounds
• durable and easy to clean
• quick for clinics to fit and send home
• inexpensive and widely available

Common downsides pet parents notice

• hard, sharp edges that bump into walls, furniture, and your legs
• many dogs struggle with sleeping, eating, and drinking
  
• loud “clunking” around the house
• some dogs shut down or become more restless

Plastic cones can be the best choice for some dogs—especially very determined lickers or dogs who need a highly reliable barrier. But if your dog is miserable (or you’re seeing the incision still getting attention despite the cone), it may be time to consider alternatives.

Alternatives to the traditional plastic cone

Many pet parents look for more comfortable recovery options once they’re home and able to supervise healing more closely.

Option 1: Soft recovery cones (soft dog cones)

A soft recovery cone is a gentler version of the e-collar. Instead of rigid plastic, it uses structured soft materials to create a comfortable barrier.

Pros of soft cones

• generally more comfortable for sleeping
• can be less stressful for anxious dogs
• quieter and easier to live with day-to-day
• often easier for eating and moving around the house
• still effective at stopping licking when properly sized

Cons of soft cones

• fit matters a lot–if the cone is too short, licking is still possible
• extremely determined dogs may bend the cone
• depending on wound location, some dogs can still reach

Best for: many typical spay/neuter recoveries, skin procedures, and at-home healing—especially when comfort and rest are priorities.

Option 2: Inflatable collars

Inflatable collars (the “the donut”) work like a travel pillow around your dog’s neck. They reduce how far your dog can bend to reach the incision.

Pros of inflatable collars

• comfortable and lightweight
• dogs keep full peripheral vision
• less bumping into objects
• great for some upper-body wounds

Cons of inflatable collars

• often not effective for legs, paws, tail, head or eyes
• some flexible dogs can still reach around them
• if punctured, they deflate and stop working

Best for: neck/shoulder/upper chest areas, or dogs who mainly need mild restriction and do well with a “pillow” style collar.

Option 3: Bite-Not / neck brace collars

These are sometimes called Bite-Not collars or “no-bite” collars. Instead of blocking the head like a cone, they work by restricting neck movement, kind of like a supportive neck brace.

Pros of Bite-Not collars

• less bulky than a cone
• dogs can see normally and move around more easily
• can be comfortable for longer recoveries
• helpful for dogs who panic in a traditional cone

Cons of Bite-Not collars

• not effective for every wound location, especially eyes or head
• fit is critical—too loose and it won’t stop licking
• some dogs are flexible enough to reach anyway
• may not prevent chewing at paws/feet/tail

Best for: certain torso/upper-body wounds where preventing the dog from turning their head far enough is the main goal.

Option 4: Full-body recovery suits

A recovery suit is a snug garment (like pet pajamas) that covers the body to protect an incision.

Pros of recovery suits

• excellent for abdominal or chest incisions
• no bulky collar around the head
• can feel soothing for some dogs (like a thunder shirt)

Cons of recovery suits

• not ideal for every wound location
• can be warm (especially with thick coats or warm homes)
• bathroom breaks require attention and proper fit
• some dogs still try to lick through the fabric

Best for: abdominal surgeries (like spays), torso wounds, and dogs who tolerate clothing well.

Which one should you choose?

The “best” option depends on a few key factors:

1) Wound location

• Paws/legs/tail/head often require the most reliable barrier (often a cone or a correctly sized soft cone)
• Torso/abdomen may do well with a suit or cone/soft cone combo
• Neck/shoulder sometimes does well with a donut or Bite-Not collar

2) Your dog’s flexibility and determination

Some dogs are basically contortionists. Others give up easily. If your dog is highly determined, you’ll want the most reliable protection.

3) Supervision level

If your dog will be unsupervised (sleeping overnight, you leaving the house), you may need the option that is most consistently effective—even if it’s not the comfiest.

4) Comfort and rest

Rest is healing. If your dog can’t sleep well in a rigid plastic cone, it can slow recovery and make everyone miserable.

What makes Cuddle Cone a strong choice (and why it stands out)

Many pet parents want something that’s effective like a cone, but comfortable enough for real life at home. That’s the sweet spot a well-designed soft recovery cone can hit.

Here’s what helps Cuddle Cone stand out as a soft dog cone option:

• Soft, structured protection that helps block licking without hard plastic edges
• designed with comfort in mind—many dogs sleep more easily and settle faster
• less noise and clunking around furniture (your shins will thank you)
• durability with materials chosen for real recovery use
• thoughtful sizing and coverage—because the most common reason cones “fail” is being too short
• a comfort-first option for pet parents who want their dog protected and calm during healing

A properly fitted soft recovery cone can be a great middle-ground—more comfortable than rigid plastic while still providing the coverage many dogs need.

Extra tips to stop licking (and make recovery easier)

Keep your dog calm and occupied

Bored dogs lick more. If your vet approves, try:

• frozen enrichment (vet-approved)
• short training sessions (sit, down, touch)
• snuffle mats or slow feeders
• approved chew toys (if allowed post-op)

Prevent “sneak licking”

Dogs often lick most when they’re unsupervised, at night, or when the incision starts itching during healing. 

Check fit and function daily

Whatever you choose—plastic cone, soft cone, donut, Bite-Not, or suit—make sure it’s snug enough not to slip, your dog can eat and drink safely, and it actually prevents access to the wound (watch closely the first few tries).

Check the incision frequently

Check your dog's incision daily, even multiple times a day. Be watchful for signs of licking such as a moist or reddened incision. If you see any oozing, swelling, missing sutures or something that just doesn't look right don't hesitate to call your vet. 

Consider a combo approach

It’s common to use a comfortable option during supervised time and a more secure option when unsupervised or overnight.

Final thoughts

Stopping your dog from licking a wound after surgery is one of the most important parts of healing—and it doesn’t have to mean days of misery for your dog (or you).

The plastic cone your vet sends home is effective, but it isn’t the only tool. Soft recovery cones, inflatable donut collars, Bite-Not/neck brace collars, and recovery suits can all be great options depending on the incision location, your dog’s flexibility, and how closely you can supervise.

If you’re looking for a comfort-first option that still provides real protection, a well-fitted soft cone—like Cuddle Cone— can make recovery calmer, safer, and much more manageable.