Pool Noodle Dog Cone: The $2 DIY Alternative to the Cone of Shame
There are occasions when our beloved pets must have surgery or have wounds or skin afflictions that require them to wear an Elizabethan collar aka the cone of shame. It works. It also turns a happy dog into a miserable, wall-bumping mess that can’t eat out of her own bowl. A pool noodle dog cone fixes that, and you can build one out of a dollar-store pool noodle in about 10 minutes for roughly $2, versus $15-20+ for a store-bought medical collar.
Why We Made a Pool Noodle Dog Cone
Our veterinarian recommended that our sweet girl wear one to prevent her from licking or pulling her stitches out when she was spayed. Unfortunately, she was so sick following the procedure it was nearly two days before she’d even lift her sweet head, let alone attempt to lick the stitches.
Once she started moving about, we followed the vet’s advice and adorned her with the pet medical collar, as we were instructed to do.
She was beyond miserable. You’d have thought that we had attached a medieval torture device from the way that she looked at us. Quite frankly, it was more than I could stand. Thus the pool noodle dog cone was born.
What You’ll Need
- 1 dollar-store pool noodle (a standard 2-3 inch diameter noodle works for most dogs)
- Kitchen shears or a sharp utility knife
- Your dog’s regular collar, or a wide piece of ribbon
That’s the entire supply list. No sewing, no special hardware, nothing to order and wait on while your dog is miserable in the meantime.
How to Make a Pool Noodle Dog Cone
- Cut the noodle into sections. Using kitchen shears, cut several 2-3 inch long pieces from the pool noodle.
- Thread the pieces onto the collar or ribbon. If you’re using ribbon instead of a collar, loop the ribbon back through each noodle piece before sliding on the next one. That keeps the pieces from sliding around and bunching up on one side.
- Secure it on your dog. Fasten the collar or tie the ribbon snugly enough that it won’t slip over her head, but loose enough to stay comfortable.
That’s it. Three steps and you’re done.
Choosing the Right Noodle Size
The number of pieces you’ll need depends entirely on the size and breed of your dog. Larger pieces work for larger dogs, and thinner pool-noodle pieces are appropriate for smaller breeds.
To restrict movement, licking, or chewing, choose a pool noodle thick enough in circumference to prevent your dog from reaching the area you’re trying to protect. A thinner noodle was more than enough to remind our girl Luna not to lick or chew her stitches, which let the area heal properly.
If your dog is a large or giant breed (think Labs, Shepherds, Mastiffs), look for the thickest dollar-store noodles you can find, sometimes two noodles layered together, and cut them slightly longer. For toy and small breeds, a standard noodle cut into shorter 1.5-2 inch pieces is usually plenty.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Pool Noodle Dog Cone
Ingredient | Walmart Item | Pkg Price | Amount Used | Cost Used |
Pool noodle | $0.97 | Whole noodle, cut into 2-3 inch sections | $0.97 |
💸 | Cost |
🧾 Total Batch Cost | $0.97 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Collar | $0.32 (one noodle makes about 3 collars’ worth of pieces) |
🏪 Store-Bought Cone/Collar | $15.00 |
💰 You Save | $14.68 per collar |
📅 Walmart prices last verified July 13, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change.
A single dollar-store pool noodle makes several cones’ worth of pieces, so if you’ve got multiple pets or your dog goes through more than one recovery, you’re covered from one $1-2 purchase.
Does It Actually Work?
Like a dream. Not only did she not bite or lick her belly, she also didn’t scratch at the collar trying to remove it the way she did with the plastic cone of shame.
Unlike other alternatives, there’s no fabric to trap heat or cause itching. It also doesn’t interfere with her ability to eat, drink, or sniff around, which matters more than people expect during a recovery period when a dog is already stressed and uncomfortable.
Bonus: It Doubles as a Swim Collar
In addition to being a great replacement for the cone of shame, the pool noodle collar doubles as a swim collar for dogs, giving dogs that are nervous swimmers or prone to swimmer’s ear a little extra buoyancy and support around the neck.
When NOT to Use This
While this pool noodle dog cone worked great for our girl, it won’t work for every dog. She’s not a chewer, meaning she doesn’t chew on things she’s not supposed to. If your dog has a tendency to chew, this isn’t a good replacement for the Elizabethan collar, since a determined chewer can tear through foam in a way that a hard plastic cone won’t allow.
If your dog’s incision or wound needs a rigid barrier that fully blocks access (for example, some ear or facial surgeries), stick with what your vet recommends. This hack is best suited for spay/neuter recovery, minor skin conditions, and situations where a determined chewer isn’t the concern. Always check with your dog’s care team before straying from post-op instructions. This isn’t a substitute for good veterinary care, it’s a more comfortable option for the dogs it’s appropriate for. While your dog is recovering, it’s also worth keeping an eye on their overall wellbeing, watch for warning signs like overheating on hot pavement during short recovery walks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cut a dollar-store pool noodle into 2-3 inch sections with kitchen shears, thread the pieces onto your dog’s collar or a wide ribbon, and secure it around their neck. If using ribbon, loop it back through each piece so they don’t slide around.
It’s safe for dogs who aren’t heavy chewers and whose recovery doesn’t require a rigid barrier. It’s not a good fit for dogs prone to chewing through soft materials, or for wounds that need full protection. Always confirm with your veterinarian first.
Most vets recommend a cone or collar alternative for 10-14 days after spay or neuter surgery, or until stitches are removed and the incision is fully healed. Follow your vet’s specific timeline for your dog.
A homemade pool noodle collar is one of the cheapest and most comfortable options. Soft fabric medical collars and inflatable donut collars are other alternatives, though both cost significantly more than a $1-2 pool noodle.
It works for most breeds, but sizing matters. Larger dogs need thicker noodle pieces (sometimes two noodles layered), while small and toy breeds do fine with a standard noodle cut into shorter pieces.
Yes. Unlike a rigid plastic cone, the pool noodle collar doesn’t block a dog’s ability to lower their head into a food or water bowl, which is one of the biggest complaints owners have about traditional cones.
Yes. As long as the foam stays intact and clean, you can reuse the same pieces for future recovery periods or swap them onto a swim collar setup.
It restricts how far a dog can bend their neck and reach, which is usually enough to stop licking and chewing at a healing incision, as long as the noodle is thick enough for that dog’s size and reach.
Did you make a pool noodle dog cone for your pup? Drop a comment and let us know how it worked out, or what size noodle you used for your breed.
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I always kind of wondered why they called it the cone of shame. It is also referred to as a Buster collar, Elizabethan collar, cone of shame, or pet lamp shade (which can be humorously called a radar dish, dog saver, cat lamp shade or cone of shame). The collars are modeled after Elizabethan collars.
I got my answer when I had to put one on my dog and he would no longer make eye contact with me, I’m not sure who was more ashamed, him or me! Thanks for the pool noodle idea, he has seemed to cheer up quite a bit since I removed the cone of shame and replaced it with the noodle collar.
My dog is having some surgery on her foot. If I use the pool noodle collar can she still reach her front foot to chew on it?