A dog inflatable collar prevents your pup from scratching and licking his wounds after an injury or surgery. The traditional e-collar or cone-of-shame is used for the same purpose.

However, these e-collars block your pup’s vision, bump into furniture and the hard plastic is uncomfortable for your dog. Because of this, most pet parents would just do away with the e-collars.

This is where an inflatable dog collar comes to the rescue. It’s soft, prevents your pet from scratching the injury site, and allows him to move around comfortably. Here are the 5 best inflatable dog collars you can buy for your pup.

How Tight Should an Inflatable Collar be?

An inflatable collar should fit snugly around your pup’s neck. A perfect fit is when you can insert two fingers beneath the collar.

How Should a Dog Wear an Inflatable Collar?

The collar should sit comfortably around the neck allowing your pup to move and breathe comfortably. Place the cushioned part of the inflatable collar at the back of your dog’s neck away from his sight. That way, the collar wouldn’t affect his vision.

Is an Inflatable Collar Better Than a Cone?

An inflatable collar is a great alternative to the plastic cone. These recovery collars are puffy and padded, providing comfort to your pup while he recovers.

5 Best Dog Inflatable Collar

MIDOG Dog Cone Collar

MIDOG dog cone collar is the best inflatable dog collar for large dogs like German Shepherd and Boxer. The soft and breathable fabric is gentle on your pup’s skin allowing him to even use the collar as a neck pillow and catch a nap. Also, the collar is thick enough to prevent your pup from reaching the wounded area. It doesn’t block your pup’s vision and he can move freely around the house without bumping into the furniture.

The polyester material doesn’t allow dog hair to stick to the collar. It’s affordable and washing this dog recovery collar is super easy. Remove the durable bladder and throw the outer fabric in the washing machine.

The Velcro strap and metal buckle connection make adjusting the collar around your pup’s neck a breeze. The two-way air valve allows you to blow air into the collar using your mouth. No hand pumps needed! For more convenience, the attached collar on the inside has D-rings so you can connect the leash, like a no-pull harness, to the collar.

This collar is not suitable for dogs with long snouts as these dogs can still reach their paws and injury sites.

GoodBoy Comfortable Recovery E-Collar for Dogs

Goodboy comfortable recovery e-collar is a perfect collar for your pup post-surgery. It’s soft and lightweight, keeping your pup from scratching and licking the injury site so recovery is possible with comfort. The collar is thick but doesn’t block your pup’s vision nor come in his way as he moves around the house, jumps, and plays.

The premium fleece fabric allows for quick cleaning. When your furry friend spills food over the collar, take a damp cloth and wipe it just like that. 

You can attach the existing collar to the inflatable dog collar with the help of rings on the inside. The Velcro straps help you adjust the collar while the quick-release mechanism comes in handy when a dog is choking.

Although it’s a durable and comfortable collar, the thick valve makes it a bit challenging to inflate the collar by mouth. Also, the placement of a zipper directly below the dog’s mouth increases the risk of chewing.

KONG Cloud Inflatable Dog Collar

When it comes to dog products, it would be unfair to not mention KONG’s name. KONG Cloud inflatable dog collar is a comfortable and durable collar designed to resist rips and chews. 

The four different collar sizes (X small to X large) mean accommodating various neck sizes so you can get the tailored fit for the specific dog breed. 

Also, it’s compact when deflated, making it a space-saving collar. Plus, you can rely on your lung’s capacity as inflating it is as easy.

The collar is not recommended if your dog has an injury on the face or paws as it doesn’t keep him from reaching those spots.

ZenPet Protective Inflatable Recovery Collar

If you are looking for a basic yet durable soft dog collar after surgery, the ZenPet protective inflatable recovery collar is a good choice. The robust canvas material resists bites and scratches while the thick collar prevents your pup from reaching wounds. 

It’s available in six sizes (X-small to XX-large) making it suitable for various neck sizes. The collar doesn’t come in his way of vision, allowing him to eat and move around as usual.

The collar can be inflated both using the mouth or balloon pump. However, its air capacity should be improved as sometimes the inner tube can leak air.

BENCMATE Protective Inflatable Collar 

Bencmate protective inflatable collar offers convenience with functionality. Resistant to bites and scratches, the collar remains as good as new for a long time.

The smooth surface of the collar won’t mark or damage your furniture when your pup moves and plays around the house. 

Washing it is as easy. Unzip the zipper present on the side of the collar, remove the bladder, and wash the fabric in the washing machine.

It’s designed while keeping your pup in mind, allowing you to move the strap to the back of your dog’s neck, preventing chewing.

To achieve extra stability, we recommend you thread the existing collar through the loops inside the dog inflatable collar. When not in use, deflate the collar and store it in a safe place.

This soft collar is not recommended for dogs with long noses. Also, avoid its use for injuries on the front body as its flexible design could give way to your pup’s tongue.

How to Buy the Best Dog Inflatable Collar?

Here’s what to keep in mind while buying an inflatable collar for your pup.

Size

Size is an important factor when choosing the recovery collar. The collar should be as per your pup’s neck circumference. A loose collar can’t prevent your pup from reaching the injury area while the one that’s too tight may leave your pup gasping for air.

Soft and Comfortable

The best inflatable collar doesn’t add weight to your pup’s neck and keeps his skin rash-free. It should be soft enough that your furry friend can even take a nap on it.

Allows Mobility

The second thing to keep in mind while buying a dog recovery collar is that it shouldn’t keep your pup from moving around. An inflatable collar that keeps scratching and bumping into furniture isn’t worth buying.

Machine Washable

Collars, like clothes, can get dirty. Choose a collar with a removable outer cover made from machine-washable materials such as polyester fabric for easy cleaning and maintenance.

Easy to Inflate and Deflate

A dog inflatable collar that takes the strength of a Hulk to inflate can put pet parents off. A collar that you can inflate using your mouth with ease should make its way into your shopping cart. 

Attachment Options

Choose an inflatable dog collar that is easy to attach to your existing collar. This makes the recovery collar extra stable preventing it from sliding off your dog’s neck.

Conclusion

A dog inflatable collar can be a game-changer for your pup after surgery. These collars are comfier, don’t affect pet activities, and are more efficient than the traditional cone-of-shame. When buying an inflatable collar, ensure that it’s comfortable, allows mobility, easy to inflate, clean, and store.