He needs it...we only take it off when he's using the stairs, eating or going for a walk. Yes, he will lick his stitches. I would never forgive myself if he tore his stitches out and needed more anaesthesia to replace them.
I have to admit, there are times when I laughed. He was going to lick out his bowl but the cone prevented him from reaching the bottom. that's why we take it off when he eats. And he can't quite figure out how to go upstairs with the cone on, even though it doesn't hit anything or prevent him from going up
It's cute to come home and see him and the cone waiting for me at the door...it's not so cute though when sweet Brooke gets hit in the head with the cone.