If you’re a pet parent, your buddy may have experienced the “cone of shame” —that lampshade-like structure worn around the neck to prevent wound-licking and face-scratching. But the cone also interferes with healthy behavior, such as eating, playing and lying down.

It’s not that animals are ashamed to wear the cone; they’re just uncomfortable. They also get stressed when they can’t see their surroundings, or when the cone amplifies sound, which hurts their ears.

So the cone is undergoing a makeover. Now you can choose an inflatable neck pillow style modeled after those worn by airplane passengers. Or you can opt for a soft fabric, flexible plastic or foam variety. There are even canine onesies, which cover the body instead of blocking the face.

Now you and your buddy can stop cursing the cone and opt for something kinder and gentler.