Can a Dog Sleep in a Crate With a Cone?

Why Do Dogs Need to Wear Cones?

Once a dog has gone through surgery or has been spayed, it is sometimes susceptible to discomfort and itchiness. This is when the dog tends to lick its wounds to relieve itself temporarily from irritation.

The cones were introduced to prevent the dog from having easy access to its wounds. The dog’s response to licking its wounds is normal, like how humans find it intuitive to scratch themselves when they feel irritation on the skin. However, the dog’s wounds might open up more due to the constant licking as the saliva would not let the skin dry up.

If a dog keeps on licking its wound, it will remain moist, allowing the presence of bacteria to multiply in that area and causing more harm to the dog. It not only affects the dog but also affects the owner financially, as it would mean an extra trip to the veterinarian.

For those that know how to take care of a dog, you understand that dogs need to wear cones to help them heal faster and better. The cones are usually longer than the length of their faces, which prevents them from reaching their wounds. If you are a dog lover, you should prioritize using a cone to help your dog’s healing process even though they might face discomfort.

What Are the Different Types of Dog Cones?

The most popular and traditional dog cone is the plastic cone called the Elizabeth collar. It is also famously referred to by some as the cone of shame. The cone was designed to stop dogs from licking their wounds or other parts of their body which might be vulnerable to infection.

Though the plastic cone is the most popular one, there are also cones made of other materials designed to give the dog more comfortable. You can find soft cones, inflatable cones, cones made of Velcro, etc.

• Plastic Cone

The plastic cone is the go-to for most dog owners and is highly recommended by veterinary doctors. This is because it completely puts off the dog from reaching the part of its body that is wounded.

Plastic dog cones are very light and do not stress the dog’s neck. As all dog lovers have noticed, dogs tend to chew on anything whenever they are in the mood. Chewing on things gives dogs a sense of relaxation and calm.

Other cones will be easy for dogs to chew and gnaw on, making the plastic cone a much more ideal choice as they won’t be able to chew through the fiber plastic. Plastic cones are also easy to clean and manage. All you have to do is wipe them off with a piece of wet cloth.

• Soft Cones

If your dog is not a lover of plastic cones, you can opt to use cones made of softer and more comfortable materials. The soft cone has foam paddings and is made of nylon. They come in different designs, shapes, and sizes.

If a dog is well-behaved and has patience, you can use a soft cone on them. It will make them much more comfortable than a plastic one. However, the downside to soft cones is that dogs can easily chew them off and get access to their wounds.

So, it is essential to understand how your dog will react to soft cones. If you know that your dog is restless and full of energy, soft cones may not be the best choice.

• Inflatable Dog Cones

Dog owners who want to emphasize comfort can opt for the inflatable dog cone. It is designed with the exact blueprint as the travel neck pillow for humans. It is easy to inflate and can be carried around comfortably when you let the cone off the dog at times.

To help the dog find the best comfort during its healing process, you can use an inflatable dog cone. It is easy to blow it up, and the size can be adjusted according to the dog’s neck size.

Though the plastic cone is the best option, the inflatable one comes closest to it as it is also made of chew-resistant material. It also gives dogs a better vision, especially around the sides. With plastic cones, they can only see what is in front of them.

Inflatable cones are easy to maintain and do not cause any scratches on furniture.

Why Do Dogs Sleep in Crates?

Dogs, like any other animal, sleep in spaces that feel secure. That is simply animal instinct. Crates provide them the perfect environment to get sound sleep as it is protected from all sides.

It is also important to teach puppies to sleep in crates to have their own space at home. Letting a dog sleep in your bed sounds sweet and wonderful until you realize their fur is all over your bed covers, blankets, and clothes.

Getting rid of their fur is one of the most annoying things to do, and it can also be allergic for some people. Crates are also a great way to potty-train a dog.

Dogs are known to keep their sleeping areas as clean as possible, so crates create an environment where the dog will feel that it should not potty there.

Since the dog is used to going out in the morning with you for its nature’s call, it will not dirty the crate but instead, wait for you till you take them out the following day. Once the dog learns to get control over its nature’s call, you can leave the crate’s door open so that it will go and come as it pleases.

The main point to remember is that dogs find it safer to be in enclosed spaces than on the porch or any open area. Crates are especially great for dogs with anxiety issues. You can build them a nice and comfy bed inside the crate to give them a comfortable place to rest on.

What Is the Best Way to Make a Dog Sleep in a Crate With a Cone?

The best way to give your dog the most comfortable sleep in a crate with a cone is to understand your dog’s needs. Different types of cones and crates can cater to a dog’s needs, but not all dogs are the same.

Some dogs can quickly adapt to a plastic cone; some find it very uncomfortable. You also should not let a dog with a cone sleep in a crate that is too small to fit both the cone and the dog together. The more the space, the better the sleep.

If the crate is small, the dog will only find it inconvenient and make noises that will ultimately disturb your sleep.

On the other hand, even if the crate is big enough, your dog might not be able to adapt to the plastic cone since it is very lengthy and also disturbs the dog’s vision. For such dogs, you can try out different types of cones on them.

Most dogs will be happier with soft dog cones made with enough padding that gives the dog a comfortable sleep. The soft dog cone gives the dogs more vision and helps them reach some of their body parts.

Inflatable dog cones are also another option. They come closest to the traits of a plastic cone. Inflatable dog cones are easy to carry around, don’t take time to inflate, and are chew-resistant.

One big difference between the soft cone and the inflatable cone is that a dog can chew off the soft cone, whereas it is impossible to chew on the inflatable cone.

If you want to learn how to take care of a dog, understanding its needs is a basic necessity. The cone must be comfortable for its neck, and the crate should not have a crampy space.