Do-it-yourself protective collar for cats. How to choose a protective collar for your dog. How to put the product on a dog

Collar - protection for dogs: do it yourself

The life of pets is filled with a variety of events. Often there are sad moments with them. Sometimes it happens that the dog needs an operation or, as a result of a fight in which your pet took part, he received a wound and now he should not be given the opportunity to lick the wound. In addition, there are many other situations that occur in the life of a dog. If your pet's health has been damaged and needs healing, a protective collar must be used in order for it to heal properly. You can find this accessory for dogs in any pet supply store. If you do not want to spend money on purchasing this item, then you can easily make it yourself. How to make such an accessory at home, this is what will be discussed in this article.

Features of the protective design of the dog collar

As an element of restrictive therapy, a protective collar designed for dogs should be considered. The use of such an accessory allows you to exclude damage to your pet in the form of scratching and biting. Through the use of this item, you can significantly increase the effectiveness of wound healing in your dog. Veterinarians quite often prescribe just such restrictive devices. Their wearing is prescribed in cases where, when examining an animal, diseases of a dermatological nature were found in it. In addition, veterinarians prescribe such devices after the surgery performed on the pet. In addition, there are many other cases in which such an accessory is prescribed for a pet.

Often, being in a clinic is not a joy for a pet. For this reason, in order for the dog to be in the hospital as little as possible, the owners decide to purchase such an accessory as a protective collar. This prevents the pet from touching its wound. He will not be able to bite or comb her. As a result, this has a positive effect on the wound healing process. Injuries heal faster, which contributes to the rapid recovery of the pet. In addition, thanks to the protective collar, the risk of poisoning with drugs that are often used by veterinarians to treat the skin on damaged areas is reduced.

Speaking in detail about such an accessory as a protective collar for dogs, it should be noted that its appearance is a cone, the main feature of which is the presence of a cropped top. Plastic and nylon are used as the material for the manufacture of such an accessory. In addition to them, cardboard can also be used. One of the main advantages of such an item is that when such an accessory is worn on a pet, it does not create any obstacles for him to eat. If you make some effort and you can accustom your dog to a protective collar, then you will not have any problems with your pet. He will feel comfortable in such an accessory. Over time, the pet will perceive this item as a familiar thing, and will not be nervous when such a protective collar is present on its head.

Making your own protective collar for dogs

If you have a need for such an accessory as a protective collar, then you do not have to run to the pet supply store and purchase it. After spending some time and making some effort, you can make it yourself. At the same time, doing this business, you can make such an accessory that will be optimal for your dog. Note that when it is made, it is worth focusing on the breed of a pet. In principle, each owner can make a protective collar of absolutely any size, starting with a small one designed for Chihuahuas and ending with voluminous accessories that can be used on shepherds or bulldogs.

If we talk about the choice of materials for the manufacture of a protective collar, it should be noted that it is not limited in any way. Therefore, having looked closely, in your house you can easily find items that can suit you to create this accessory. Some people use buckets made of plastic to create this item. Some create a collar using x-rays as the main material. There are dog breeders who take old canisters and fit them into this canine accessory. Some use a material such as cardboard. Also, a tablecloth made of high-density fabric may be suitable for creating such an item. In general, there can be a lot of things in the house, subjecting which to certain manipulations, you will eventually be able to get the accessory you need. If you are the owner of a small pet, then when creating a protective collar, it is best to opt for a softer material. If a large-sized animal lives in your house, then the material should be quite dense so that the pet cannot get to the wound and does not comb it, aggravating its situation. By choosing the right material to create a protective collar, you can create a comfortable and reliable accessory that will ensure a faster recovery of your pet.

Materials and tools for making a collar for a dog

If you set yourself the goal of making a protective collar for your pet at home, then, of course, in the course of this work you will need certain tools and material from which the accessory itself will be created.

It is best to use cardboard as the main material, or you can opt for plastic. It must be found in your home in advance before starting work. If you did not find it, then you should buy plastic products or cardboard in the store. If you have some other suitable material at home, then it should be prepared before starting work.

As for the tools to carry out the work of creating a protective collar for a dog, you will need scissors, and in addition to them, adhesive tape. Alternatively, you can use a stapler. It is also necessary to prepare soft materials in advance or find an old collar.

Step-by-step instruction

Having decided to make a protective collar for a dog on your own, you can not worry, it will take you very little time to complete the work on creating this accessory.

The first step in the manufacture of an accessory is to take measurements. You need to measure the diameter of your dog's neck. This will be the starting point for creating the drawing.

After the measurements are taken, it is necessary to draw a circle on the material that you have chosen to create a protective collar. Note that when drawing the radius, the circle created must be significantly larger than the actual diameter of your pet's neck. In order for the created drawing to be as correct as possible, you should use a compass when creating a circle. If you don’t have such a tool at home, then in order to draw the most accurate circle, you should use a plate that will be slightly larger in diameter than your dog’s neck.

Next, you need to draw the outer circle. Note that 5 centimeters less than the length of the muzzle of your pet should be the distance between the outer and inner circles. By following this requirement, in the end, you will be able to create an accessory that your dog will not experience any discomfort when wearing.

The next step is to cut out the outer circle. Next, you need to cut out the inner. In order to do this, you need to make an incision in the center.

Then you need to pick up an adhesive tape or a prepared stapler and fasten the sides of the collar. To do this, they must be superimposed on each other. As a result, you will get something similar to a cone with a cut off top.

After that, you need to try on the collar on your dog in order to understand whether it is comfortable for your pet to be in it.

Then it is necessary to make short cuts of vertical orientation along the rim of the middle hole.

The subtleties of making a collar for a dog

Particular attention must be paid to the fact that you do not have sharp corners and surfaces on the created collar collar. Otherwise, in the process of using the finished accessory, they can lead to injuries to your pet.

Another important point: two fingers should fit freely between the neck and the collar. If this condition is met, then you can not worry, your pet will be quite comfortable wearing such a protective collar.

If you could not find a collar at home that is suitable for use as part of a protective collar, then you can very well apply various harnesses or use a suitable fabric.

If, when creating a protective collar, you decide to use a protective collar that is made of cardboard, then its service life will not be long. However, it is in your power to extend its operation. To do this, you need to take the tape you have and wrap it around the surface of the future collar. In this case, the saliva and water that will fall on it will not soak the cardboard. This means it will last longer.

In contact with

Dogs, like people, also get sick, but unlike people, animals do not understand that you can not disturb the wound, comb problem areas of the skin or lick postoperative sutures.

Therefore, in order to speed up the healing process of damaged areas of the body and prevent infection, pet owners have to resort to using a special protective collar for dogs.

A protective collar may be needed for the period of treatment of eye and ear diseases, diseases of the skin, as well as for the period of healing of cropped ears, burn wounds, for the period of false pregnancy, so that the bitch does not lick the nipples and does not stimulate the mammary glands, which leads to an increase in production milk, and this should not be allowed.

Types of protective collars for dogs

Classic version - elizabethan collar, which in shape is a truncated cone (lampshade). Made of flexible transparent, non-obstructive, translucent or colored plastic. Plastic collars for dogs are easy to clean, low cost, perhaps these are the most important advantages. The disadvantages include that plastic models make noise when in contact with other objects, crack or break over time, and most dogs feel uncomfortable in them. They are attached to a collar or harness with 3 or 4 plastic fixing strips. The circumference is adjusted with the help of special fasteners-tongues.

There is another kind of plastic collar, which is plastic tube, closed in a circle, over which a protective removable cover is put on. It limits the mobility of the neck, thereby preventing the animal from reaching its head to the damaged areas on the body and licking them.

Exist soft tapered collars for dogs, made of durable water-repellent non-woven material, non-toxic and non-allergic. Light and flexible, they do not interfere with the free movement of the neck, the animal can eat, sleep and not experience discomfort. The advantages include increased wear resistance, because such models will not tear even when chewed by animals. In addition, the soft collar can be folded compactly after use and stored away. However, not all soft models are suitable for large dogs, which have strength, long limbs and can reach with their paw to the head or tongue to the body, crushing the unreliable barrier. Soft models are not suitable for dogs with a long neck, because they do not cover the head enough.

Another type of soft collar is also a cone, made of soft, water-repellent nylon fabric, but with a plastic insert inside that is about half the size of the cone. The plastic insert at the bottom of the cone adds rigidity, which prevents the animal from bending the barrier. For convenient and reliable fixation to the collar there are Velcro.

Inflatable collars for dogs They come in different types and are classified according to the type of material from which they are made. All of them are shaped like an inflatable lifebuoy. For the manufacture of flexible and soft material. There are transparent models and models with nylon removable covers. Inflatable barriers are easy to use, cause the least discomfort, do not obstruct the view and at the same time perform a protective function by limiting the mobility of the neck. However, less wear-resistant, because dogs can break through the collar with their claws when trying to reach the head with their paw. But when using an inflatable model with a durable nylon cover, there are no problems with material damage. Effective when used on dogs with short limbs that cannot physically reach the protective barrier with their paws.

Elastic protective neck corsets made of soft foam are no less effective than other types of collars. They are worn around the neck and fixed with Velcro, preventing the movement of the neck. Convenient in cases where there are injuries on the body of the animal, and not on the head.

How to choose a protective collar for your dog

The main thing is to choose the right size, as well as the model, depending on the breed and purpose of use (restricting the animal's access to the body or head). The choice should be made according to the width of the protective field, which is most often 7.5, 10.5, 12, 15, 21.5, 25 cm. Among the existing options, you can easily choose the right collar for a dog of a particular breed and any age. An improperly selected barrier can obstruct vision, cause inconvenience during eating, sleeping, playing, and can also slide down to the shoulder blades, thereby providing no protection.

Price

The price of a protective collar for a dog depends on its size, type, manufacturer. So an ordinary Elizabethan collar costs from 90 rubles, the cost of other types varies between 200-1000 rubles. Soft collars are more expensive, for example, the Procone model costs 840-1000 rubles, and the cost of the Procone elastic cervical corset exceeds 1500 rubles.

If it is not possible to purchase a ready-made protective collar, you can make it yourself from improvised means, but at the risk of causing even more discomfort to the animal.

Do-it-yourself collar for a dog

For dogs of small breeds, the basis of the collar can be an x-ray, and for larger breeds, a plastic kitchen napkin, thick or corrugated cardboard. The workpiece is shaped into a cone, and the edges of the lower and upper diameters should be wrapped with a soft cloth (gauze), fastened with adhesive tape, or glued with adhesive tape to avoid injury to the animal's neck.

The bottom circle should be equal to the diameter of the buttoned collar. Collar width - the length from the neck (where the collar is) to the tip of the nose and an additional 5 cm.

Some dog owners simply wrap a towel around their pet's neck, securing the edges with a bandage or tape to keep the towel from falling apart. The towel acts as a neck corset, preventing the neck from turning.

How to train a dog to wear a collar

Many dogs express their reluctance to wear something that they do not understand, which causes discomfort, by numerous attempts to pull off the collar. Therefore, if it is known in advance that the pet will have barrier therapy, for example, after surgery, then the animal should be prepared before the operation.

To begin with, the collar should be placed next to the pet so that he can sniff it, understand that the item is safe. Then you should put a barrier on the animal for a short time and try to captivate the dog with a game, give a treat, stroke or otherwise encourage in order to evoke positive associations. Animals usually get used to wearing a barrier in a few days.

Often in the postoperative period, in the case of some skin diseases, the cat needs to create conditions under which she will not be able to lick her wounds or even just her hair, she will not be able to scratch her head behind the ear. An indispensable attribute of such barrier therapy is a special protective collar.

IMPORTANT! High collars allow the cat to touch the fur and skin with its muzzle. Therefore, the recommendation of a doctor should be taken seriously and responsibly.

Collar for cat wears beautiful name "Elizabethan", and indeed, it is somewhat reminiscent in design and shape of the exquisite accessories of the outfits of medieval ladies.

The design has a specially high height, which does not allow the cat to reach its head with its paws or tongue to its fur coat. When a veterinarian prescribes wearing a collar, cat owners have a question about how to make a protective product with their own hands.

And don't worry - if the collar is made correctly, in size, the animal will quickly get used to it.

When You Need a High Collar

• The doctor advises to put a hard and high collar on the pet's neck after castration, sterilization after performing others operations. These animals have an innate habit of licking their private parts after going to the toilet. If a cat touches a fresh wound with such a muzzle, it may become infected.
• Curious cats can claw or teeth comb the wounds, what also dangerous. Pet must not be allowed licked wool and skin after it was treated with chemicals. Such toxic and hazardous substances include various flea sprays, tick ointments, antibacterial drugs, hormonal creams.
• With lichen, treatment is carried out with the help of antifungal agents that are applied to the inflamed areas of the skin. Ingestion of the product into the esophagus can cause poisoning, and a high collar will prevent such entry.
• Saves the device in case dressing an animal's wound. The cat will try to remove the bandage or gauze bandage, thereby damaging the wound.

Requirements for the shape and quality of the collar-collar

If it is necessary to put a high collar on a cat to protect its health, it is important to choose the right design that matches the size of the animal. The collar must be secure and reliable. The pet should not be able to independently remove this structure, break it with its paws.
It is also important that the cat collar did not interfere with free breathing, did not rub the skin of the neck. Before releasing a cat with such a design, you must carefully check the edges of the product so that they cannot be cut.

You can pick up and buy a plastic collar for rehabilitation after surgery at a pet store, but the designs do not always correspond to the desired parameters. Therefore, often the best way out is to make the product yourself for your cat. For this, a ready-made pattern is used, which is not difficult to find on the Internet.

INTERESTING! A veterinary collar is made not only from plastic, but from paper. For cats of gentle and calm breeds, you can use a dense fabric that folds into several layers.

Pattern Features

• In order to make a collar for animals, a pattern in the form of a half ring is used. It can have different height, length, width. From such a part he makes a cap with a cutout for the neck, its edges are securely fastened.
• When creating a pattern, you need to measure the girth of the neck (this will be the length of the inner semicircle), the length from the neck to the tip of the nose (plus five centimeters). You can make a small margin for the parameters, cut the workpiece, fold, try on and cut off the excess.

If the collar strongly blocks the cat's view of the environment, the pet will be very nervous, which will have a bad effect on the course of rehabilitation.

Fabric collar

In order to sew a fabric fixture, you should use a regular pattern, a dense edging is sewn along the edge, it will hold the structure. The soft version of the protective product may not provide full protection., you need to observe the behavior of the pet in this design. If the cat tries to remove the collar or crush it with its paws, a more rigid sample will be required. The health of the pet should be the main factor.

Plastic bottle collar

When buying at a veterinary pharmacy or pet store, the question arises of how much an Elizabethan collar for a cat costs. The price can be surprising, especially for imported products from famous brands. Since the design is most often used temporarily, for a short period, it is more practical to make it from improvised materials, for example, from plastic bottle. Additionally, Velcro, ribbons are needed.

• The bottle must be cut so that a cone is obtained.
• To prevent the cat from being injured by sharp plastic, the inner edge should be sheathed with tape or a strip of cloth.
• Where the details of the product will be connected, ribbons for ties are sewn on.

In this way, it is easy to make a product from a transparent plastic bucket, flower pot.

Quick veterinary collar option

In an emergency, there is no time to get busy sewing a veterinary collar or looking for it in pet stores. If you need to put such a device on your head urgently, you can use the temporary option.

• It is necessary to level the cardboard, cut out a semicircle from it. Then the material should be twisted, this will make it softer.
• The workpiece must be tried on the animal, cutting off the excess.
• The edges of the cardboard can be sharp, you need to cover them with tape.

A temporary option is used when urgent protection is needed for the cat's wounds. You can also use it for antibacterial treatment of a pet, when applying a flea or tick spray. The pet for some time should not touch its fur, skin. Then a simple collar is thrown away without regret. The best material for construction is thick cardboard of a packing box, shoe box. If the cardboard is very thick, it is better not to use it for cats, it is only suitable for a dog collar.

The simplest option for a cardboard collar may be if you only need it for a short time.(before visiting the veterinarian, before buying a more serious design).

ATTENTION! The design of even such a temporary structure can be thoughtful and convenient. If simple loops of paper or fabric are glued to the edge of the collar with tape, the collar can be laced up.

Wearing rules

Protective collars are needed for cats so that they do not lick in places of wounds, do not touch the treated wool. The device will not cause delight in the animal, but you need to be patient and most importantly, choose the most convenient and reliable option.

The high hard collar must be removed periodically, giving the cat the opportunity to take a break from the structure.

• As long as the cat is without barrier protection, it is better hold it in your arms or control it in some other way.
• There are pets that are especially stubborn or susceptible to discomfort. They may even refuse to drink or eat. because of the vet collar.
• Such pets need to remove the collar more often so that they can eat according to the regime, drink water.
• Felines are considered smart and cunning animals, at first they will try to get rid of the design that is inconvenient for them. It is important to follow the process so that postoperative rehabilitation occurs according to the rules.

What to do if the animal cannot get used to the collar

The owner of the cat may notice that his pet is removing the protective collar, what should I do in this case? Most likely, an unreliable design was chosen, which is easy to remove over the head or unfasten, break.

maybe the product has sharp edges that rub the neck, cause irritation in the animal. This assumption should be tested.

IMPORTANT! Cats perfectly feel the relation to themselves of the person. If, in addition to an uncomfortable design, they also receive indifference from the owners, rehabilitation after an injury or operation will be difficult.

There are cats who cannot put up with a collar for a long time, you need to show maximum attention to your pet, take it in your arms more often, and calm it down. When it's time for dinner, the "Spanish cow collar", as it is sometimes called, needs to be removed to feed the kitty with something delicious.

A cat may be irritated by certain types of collars, such as those made of plastic or opaque. If you change the design, the cat calms down and eventually gets used to a little discomfort.

Useful video

An easy way to make a collar at home

The collar for dogs and cats is also called the Elizabethan, veterinary, protective dome collar.

This is a medical device that prevents the animal from combing and licking the body during the treatment of various injuries.

Such a collar is worn on dogs and cats with inflammation of the ears and eyes, after cupping or sterilization, and with other diseases. After all, our smaller brothers get sick just like we people. If your four-legged friend, who but you, a loving owner, will help in this case?

I will tell you my story.

Cats and dogs accompany me throughout my life, so I had to deal with a variety of diseases of my pets.

I had a dog, Jules, with whom we were expecting babies.

The time came for her to whelp, she suffered all night, but she never gave birth. In those distant times, private clinics were just emerging, so we urgently learned the doctor's address and rushed to save the life of my pet. Just like women are given a caesarean section, they also cut my Julie.

The doctor warned that the operation itself is not complicated, the postoperative period is dangerous, when the dog, licking the wound, can bite the threads and the stitches will open. You can't tell her not to do it.

After the operation, I "packed" my dog ​​in a blanket: I took a piece of fabric, cut out 4 holes for the paws, and laced up the back. While my Julie was recovering from anesthesia, everything was quiet and calm, she was lying in her bed, sniffing her nose.

But then she began to get up, and what was my surprise when I saw my Julie without this horsecloth. How she managed to escape, I have no idea.

In order not to suffer the fear that I experienced, such a collar for dogs is needed. Fortunately, everything ended well for us and my beloved dog lived a long life at the age of 17, and left for another world in old age.

This simple device can be bought at any pet store or made by hand.

DIY collar for dogs and cats

The magazine collar is made of transparent plastic through which the animal can easily see everything around. If you choose this useful thing correctly, it will not prevent your pet from freely taking water and food. And after a couple of days, he will completely get used to wearing such a useful device.

Now I will tell you how to make a collar for dogs with your own hands. It is advisable to cut it out of transparent, thin plastic, but if one is not available, thick paper, cardboard or, in my case, a kitchen napkin will do:

First, draw a small circle around your dog's buttoned collar.

And then the big one:

The larger the large circle, the higher the dome collar will be.

Cut it out with scissors:

Be sure to try on the dog and outline the cuts:

So that the neckline does not rub the dog’s neck, you can glue the edges with a plaster or, if possible, sew with a soft oblique trim:

On the neck of the animal, the collar can be glued, sewn or put on Velcro.

HOW TO KNOW THE WEIGHT OF A DOG.

Weigh yourself on the scales, and then together with your pet. Subtract your weight from the total weight to get the weight of the dog.

I want to bring your attention to! With large dogs, this number may not work.

I perched on a household scale with a German Shepherd and it broke.

HOW TO GIVE A PILL TO A PET.

Before speaking on this topic, I studied animal sites on the Internet and was very surprised.

It seems that the owners of these sites have never had their own cats or dogs. These advisers write: open the dog's mouth, put a pill in it, then close it and hold it until the dog swallows it.

Complete nonsense!

The dog will not swallow this pill, it will simply escape from your hands. How do you imagine a shepherd dog or Caucasian, which you will clamp your mouth?

The vet taught me this. Have your dog sit in front of you. Open your mouth with your left hand and hold it up. In your right hand, hold the tablet with your thumb and forefinger and quickly push it as far as possible into the larynx, helping with your index finger. Do not be afraid, the dog will not suffocate, because. her larynx is arranged differently than in humans.

Liquid medicine can be injected from a syringe without a needle: pull back the corner of the lower lip and pour in the mixture.

You can take it with a trick, but it doesn’t always work: chew a piece of boiled meat, roll a ball and put a pill into it.

You may need some life advice regarding our favorite animals, but it would be better if they were never in demand, so that we would always be cheerful and healthy!

These are my four legged friends!

In some situations, pet treatment involves barrier therapy, which is carried out with the help of special devices and accessories, including bandages (they must be worn after), Elizabethan collars ... It’s good if these products are sold in veterinary pharmacies in your city, but if not? What to do in this case? In our today's publication, we decided to tell you about how to make a protective Elizabethan collar yourself ...

What is an Elizabethan Collar

Why you need an Elizabethan collar

What should an Elizabethan collar look like?

Based on the purpose of the Elizabethan collar and its description, we can conclude that this thing should be reliable and safe for the pet, not cause him any inconvenience - do not make breathing difficult, do not rub his neck. Despite the fact that today in most cases you can purchase a similar collar at a veterinary pharmacy, it is not always possible to choose finished products to fit the size of your sick pet. As a result, a collar that is larger in size flies off and is of no use, and a collar that is smaller in size rubs the neck and literally suffocates the animal. That is why it will not be superfluous to master the technology of making an Elizabethan protective collar at home. This information can be useful for absolutely all pet owners. After all, you can wear an Elizabethan collar not only on cats and dogs, but also on rodents, if necessary ...

How to make your own Elizabethan collar

To make a protective collar for a sick pet, you will need a pattern - it will have the shape of half a donut. Depending on the size of the animal, the width of such a donut may be more or less, as well as the length. That is, to make a pattern, you need to take only 2 basic measurements - this neck girth(this will form the length of the inner little semi-circle and represent the cut diameter of your cone if you fold the pattern), and neck length- measured from the collar line to the tip of the animal's nose + 5 centimeters (this is the optimal width of the Elizabethan collar). Cut out such a pattern from paper, and then, depending on what materials you have at hand, and for what purpose you want to put a protective collar on your pet, start making it ...

Soft collar option

This version of the collar is of increased comfort, the animal can even sleep in it, the head will lie on a soft pillow. As a manufacturing material, you can take chintz, linen, cotton, any natural fabric, inside you put a layer of strong thick fabric that could hold its shape well, or you can fold any material in several layers and quilt it so that the fabric does not stray. Be sure to make the outer piping tight - this will help the collar to hold its shape. Sew secure Velcro across the entire width of the edge of the collar - this will prevent unauthorized removal of the collar by animals. If, in your opinion, Velcro is not very reliable, they can be replaced with lacing, but in practice it is not very convenient to quickly unlace and lace up the collar.

For a snug fit of the collar in the neck area, you can sew a not very tight elastic band into the collar area.

Despite a number of advantages, such a soft version of the Elizabethan collar has its drawbacks - active animals easily tear even the densest fabric, the material quickly gets dirty during eating and the collar looks untidy after the first feeding of your pet, if he did not care too much about following the rules etiquette. So, much more reliable, although less glamorous, will be a protective collar with a plastic insert.

Plastic version of the protective collar

Today, in stores, you can easily purchase ready-made plastic cones to cut a collar of the right size from them. If the size of the plastic bottle matches the size of your pet, you can also use plastic bottles. Some enterprising owners use plastic pots for seedlings, children's buckets ... It doesn't matter what you take, as long as the sizes match the sizes you need.

However, I would like to draw attention to one important point,

as practice shows, in a collar made of transparent plastic, animals behave more calmly than when their view is limited.

You will need to take care of the straps for the girth of the neck - they will be like loops, and the clasp for such a collar. Instead of the collar itself, it is better to take a harness - it will ease the load on the pet's neck area and create additional support. To prevent the edges of the collar from injuring the animal and others, sheathe them with a cloth.

In order to put on such a collar, it will be necessary to circle it around the neck of the animal, thread the clasp through the corresponding slots, pass the ribbons under the collars, bend and pass them through the slots. The plastic collar is ready. It is easy to clean, quite comfortable, practical and has virtually no flaws.