My older male cat has had issues in the past with itching big bleeding holes in his face. He just did this earlier this year and had to wear a cone for over a month (I waited until the fur began to grow back) and he was alright. Then in November, he itched a hole in his face in a different spot, so the collar went back on. I took it off after about 3 weeks this time since the fur was coming back in, but he decided to scratch at it. Not horribly, but he did itch hard enough to bleed a little. I didn't want to give him the chance to undo several weeks' worth of healing, so the cone went back on.The cone does not prevent him from eating, drinking, sleeping or moving...but I know he hates it. Is there any way I can speed up the process of healing or is there an alternative to the cone (like putting a sock on his one leg)? The spot looked healed - just missing some fur, and I couldn't exactly tell if it was still itchy because it's near his chin and he reacts the same when I scratch that spot regardless of skin irritation. I just don't want him to spend months in this cone because he doesn't know better than to not itch his face until it gushes. He was just at the vet's (without the cone) and she wasn't concerned that it was anything but a little skin irritation that got out of control and that I was doing everything right. Is there anything more I can do for him? I don't suppose I could put gauze and tape on the offending foot without causing him annoyance or stress, could I?