How to sew a bandage for a cat after sterilization with your own hands

A blanket is not the most necessary item in a pet's wardrobe, unless the animal belongs to breeds susceptible to the effects of cold, such as the Sphynx. It is more often used for hygienic purposes when the cat requires medical intervention in the abdominal area.

• 2 Types of blankets
• 3 How to choose a blanket for a cat
• 4 How to make a blanket for a cat with your own hands

  4.1 Sock bandage

• 4.2 Fabric bandage

Features of sewing clothes for cats

One of the features of sewing clothes for cats is the choice of materials. Everything here is very individual, since this particular fabric and this particular style will suit each individual cat. And it’s not just about the breed, but also about the coloring of the pet’s coat, the size of the pet, and even the place it occupies in the owner’s heart.

Cat apron

In any case, special attention should be paid to natural materials. It is also possible to use fabrics with a small amount of synthetic fibers. The best option would be: cotton fabrics, linen, wool, viscose. They are pleasant not only for humans, but also for cats. You should also look at the characteristics of the material: how well it is made, whether it fades in the sun, or whether it deforms after washing.

Bow and dress

Also among the features is taking measurements of cats, which, naturally, differ from dogs, and even more so from humans. Taking measurements from animals is not so easy, since they constantly strive to break free.

McDonald's apron version

how to replace a blanket for a cat

Cat blanket

The story is quite sad. A couple of years ago, quite by accident, the older cat (Niki) discovered a lump in the nipple area. The lump was already quite large, about 1.5 by 3 cm. It was not discovered immediately because it felt like a sterilization scar to the touch.

A quick search on the forums showed that most likely it was cancer and the dilemma was that one had to make a choice - to operate or not. Most owners of cats and dogs who had surgery could not boast that their pets tolerated the surgery well and the stitches healed quickly. Moreover, it is a very common situation when, precisely after surgery, tumors appear everywhere in a very short period of time. Either this is due to the access of oxygen to the tumor tissues, or to mechanical intervention in the tumor, but the fact is a fact. High mortality after surgery during the first half of the year.

To finally make a decision, we turned to the vets. The Vets accepted the idea of ​​the operation without enthusiasm. The cat is old, the tumor is already large. The prognosis is negative. I suspect that they did not want or could not carry out the tests and surgery effectively. We don't even have our own laboratory here to do a biopsy.

In the end, we decided to leave everything as is, buying all sorts of dietary supplements such as Metastop and Cytostat. I can't say how effective or ineffective they are. It was just that it was the only thing that could be bought for a cat on the topic of cancer. And we bought.

The second problem with tumors in animals is that animals lick or scratch them. After this, it is almost impossible to heal back, due to the characteristics of the tumor tissue and the skin in its area. This is the solution to this second problem that we will talk about. At one point we realized that it was time, that we needed a blanket. The tumor grew significantly and the cat began to pay more attention to her stomach. Licked, destroyed

Surgical intervention (sterilization) of a furry pet is just the tip of the iceberg , followed by the most important point - proper care of a cat who has undergone surgery.

The healing period of the suture is extremely important for the future health of the cat. Proper treatment of the wound surface and compliance with the instructions received from the veterinarian will quickly return the animal to its normal state.

Wearing a blanket is one way to protect a wound from inflammation.

How to take measurements from a cat

The main measurements to take are:

• neck girth. This is the circumference of the neck at its thickest and widest point. This is usually its base. To ensure an even measurement, it is necessary to place the animal on a flat surface;
• back length. The measurement is taken from the base of the neck to the beginning (root) of the ponytail. A centimeter placed along the spine is best suited for this;
• sternum girth. This measurement is taken around the widest part of the chest - under the front legs.

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These measurements are enough for most products, but sometimes additional data is needed. For example, the distance between the paws.

Cat measurements

Several pattern options

Directly cutting out the blanket involves marking and cutting out holes for the paws on a piece of fabric, in strict accordance with the previously made measurements. Sometimes a pattern of a bandage or blanket is made in the form of a triangle with a hole for the tail at its top. The long sides of the triangle are wrapped around the cat's body along the front legs, and their ends, wrapped around the body, are taken out in front and tied in a knot behind the back. You can make a bandage after surgery with passages only for the front paws and distribute them evenly around the perimeter of the ties, Velcro or buttons. The buttons are very convenient to put on, but can easily come unfastened during use, therefore, they are not recommended.

You can cut out and sew a blanket by placing the cats' paws in small circles and the head in a larger circle. With this cutting, you need to cross the back and front ties. When tying it, you need to be careful not to pull the cat's fur along with the tie. When tying the bandage, you should also leave allowances for free movement of the diaphragm when breathing.

How to sew a post-operative blanket for a cat after sterilization

Blankets after sterilization are not always available for sale in veterinary pharmacies and other pet stores. If there is an urgent need for a post-operative bandage for a cat, then you can make it yourself. By looking at any pattern, you can make sure that there is nothing complicated in such a product, since it is a continuous piece of fabric with recesses for the paws and ropes for fixing it on the cat’s body.

DIY cat clothes without a pattern

Before making a blanket, you need to know the dimensions of the cat, which will be reflected in the diagram. Next, a pattern is made, on the basis of which a single piece is made from cotton fabric or flannel.

Important! It is recommended to use a light-colored fabric that immediately shows all dirt. This will help you consult a doctor in time if bleeding occurs due to a sudden divergence of the stitches.

Homemade blanket after sterilization surgery

Choosing fabric for blankets

The fabric must meet the following requirements:

• be soft and elastic, but not stretch too much;
• do not crumble or fall off in pellets, so as not to contaminate the wound, around which it is necessary to maintain sterility;
• be plain and preferably unpainted, so that dirt can be more easily seen.

Scheme of the blanket and options for its fastening

Velcro or ribbons - which is better?

The pros and cons of fasteners can be included in a separate section, since the process of their manufacture is always one of the most important. For some animals, Velcro is more suitable, and for others, ribbons are more suitable. This is based on the advantages and disadvantages of any type of fastening. Among the positive aspects of ribbons are:

• the ability to be made from the same fabric as the main part;
• ease of sewing;
• impossibility for the animal to untie them on its own.

An option for making a medium-sized blanket
. There are also disadvantages:

• the animal will cling to some objects in the room with them and play when the length is too long;
• you can overtighten the animal;
• Difficulty in untying if the knot is too tight.

Homemade blanket
Velcro also has its advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages:

• ease of fixation;
• they are more compact compared to ribbons.

Flaws:

• their cost is higher;
• they quickly become dirty with wool;
• Easy to unfasten even for the most clumsy animal.

Blanket after surgery

How to properly put a blanket on a cat

If the animal resists, it is recommended to ask a family member for help. At the same time, it is forbidden to squeeze the animal too tightly, since such actions can lead to divergence of the seams.

Before putting on the brace for the first time, it is recommended to first practice doing it on a toy animal.

Step-by-step instructions on how to put on a blanket correctly:

1. First you need to lay out the product and straighten all the ties on it, and then place the pet on top.
2. Then you need to tie the laces that are closest to the neck into a knot, carefully clasping your head. The free ends of the ties should not be long, otherwise the animal may become entangled in them.
3. Now you should tie those ties that are located between the neck and front paws. All subsequent pairs of ribbons must be tied in turn from neck to tail.
4. The last two ties are tied crosswise around the cat's rump. In this case, it is necessary to leave the anus and urethra uncovered so that the animal can go to the toilet without soiling the blanket. If the animal wets the material, the bandage should be changed or shortened.

If after putting on the product the pet cannot move freely, it is necessary to loosen the tapes. 2 fingers should be placed between the blanket and the body of the animal.

Sewing blankets from improvised materials

Below we will describe how and from what you can make a blanket if you don’t have any suitable material or patterns at hand. You don't need any special cutting and sewing skills.

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Scheme of overalls for a cat

Pantyhose blanket

The simplest option, which requires virtually no resources. There is only one rule: you need to use clean tights, since the animal definitely needs sterility after surgery and sterilization. It is recommended to use thick tights that will fit the cat's body well.

Important! The blanket is made like this: a piece of trouser leg 20 cm long is cut off and pulled over the cat’s belly. Additionally, you can make holes for the paws.

New Year's suit for the British

Sock blankets without ties

The product is made from socks or stockings in the same way. Find the perfect size sock and cut off the front to create a fabric tube. The cat's body is inserted into it, fixing its stomach.

For your information! The most remarkable thing is that even if you don’t have the appropriate sizes at home, you can always buy clean and new socks at any clothing store for a few tens of rubles.

Cat blanket from a baby bodysuit

Blanket from old children's clothes

Old children's clothing in the form of jumpsuits and vests also works well. You should choose something that fits comfortably on your body and is fixed on it. If you don’t have anything like this at hand, then you can make a blanket from an ordinary sleeve of a children’s jacket that stretches well.

Fashionable outfit with a hood

Towel blankets

The most common option involves making it from a simple cotton towel. A cut of the required length is made, and holes for the paws are cut out, based on the anatomical features of the cat. Holes are cut in it for the neck, paws and sometimes the tail. The final stage involves creating a cylinder by sewing the ends of the towel together or sewing on strings.

If the cat is to be sterilized, then you need to buy a blanket

Sew or make it yourself

Before you start making new clothes for your pet, check with your veterinarian whether your cat needs a blanket: there are many techniques for suturing and post-operative care, and sometimes a blanket is not only unnecessary, but can also harm the cat. Sterilization also has a huge number of possible options today.

If you still need a blanket, then you still shouldn’t rush to sew it. As a rule, it is very inexpensive and any decent veterinary clinic includes it in the cost of the operation. But if such a need arises, use these instructions:

• Take the necessary measurements - chest volume, body length, distance between paws and paw circumference.
• Based on the presented pattern, create on any paper a similar drawing with the parameters of your pet.

  

• Then place the pattern on the fabric and do not forget to allow seam allowance for the edges.
• The bandage can be either single-layer or multi-layer, it doesn’t matter. But you should approach the choice of fabric more carefully: give preference to dense fabrics that are not prone to crumbling and can withstand the onslaught of cat claws, because your cat will probably touch it with its paws more than once.
• It is equally important that the fabric is breathable.
• At the last stage of creating the bandage, sew the ties. It is very important that the ribbons are durable and able to withstand all the cat's manipulations, but they should not be too tight.

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To create a bandage yourself, you often use stockings or long sleeves from T-shirts: it is very convenient to give them the necessary head start, and their fabric is suitable in all respects - it tightly covers the wound and allows air to pass through.

To create a stocking or long sleeve bandage, you will need scissors and a stocking.

Instructions for creating a bandage:

1. Based on the size of the cat, we cut off the stocking or sleeve. Next, if you are using a stocking, you should cut off its toe - this will be the hole for the head.
2. Now we create holes for the hind and front legs.

Experts recommend giving preference to purchased blankets: as a rule, the product is made of non-woven medical material, thoroughly disinfected and has an anatomically correct design. In this case, the process of changing the bandage is also significantly simplified, because many modern blankets are equipped with Velcro. If you want to find a use for your creativity, see how you can sew a soft house with your own hands.

However, a hand-made product also has its advantages:

• By creating a pattern yourself, you can sew a blanket that is perfect for your cat.
• Using a successfully saved pattern, you can, on occasion, sew as many bandages as you like.
• if the bandage is made from your clothes, the pet will wear it much more willingly, because it will smell like its beloved owner.

There are several options for blankets:

1. Warm. If your cat comes from a country with a warmer climate, you need to take care of winter insulation and purchase a blanket with insulation.
2. Homemade. Owners of Sphynx cats know firsthand what cat sweat stains on furniture are, even if the cat takes a bath once a week. Experienced owners of this breed have one secret that can make life easier for both the cat and the owner: homemade blankets in the form of “robes” made of light fabric. They will not only protect the furniture from stains, but will also allow the skin to breathe, which is so necessary in the postoperative period.
3. Raincoats. Bad weather is not a reason to stay home! Strengthen your immune system with walks in the rain, but don’t forget about special clothing for your cat, because animals also get colds. A raincoat will protect not only from moisture, but also protect from dirt, and therefore from unwanted germs getting into the wound.

What is the best blanket for a cat after sterilization? Ready-made or hand-made?

Advantages of a ready-made bandage:

• factory accessories are environmentally friendly and biologically neutral;
• durable and stable, do not tear;
• allow air to pass through well, which promotes rapid wound healing;
• The fasteners are often velcro, which is more convenient than ties.
• “purchased” accessories are often fastened with Velcro – this is convenient.

Advantages of self-tailoring:

• if you know how to sew, then a blanket created according to individual measurements will be as comfortable as possible;
• the pattern can be saved to make several bandages;
• If you used your old clothes to sew the bandage, then even ironed, they will retain a piece of your smell, and your pet will be calmer.

Blankets are not always available for sale, and sometimes their cost seems too expensive. No problem: you can make a blanket for your cat with your own hands.

If you look at it, the product is not something complicated. This is one element to which the ties are attached. Of course, there is a certain system for these ties, so look at the photo of the cat blanket.

Before you make a cat blanket with your own hands, you need to decide on the size. They make a pattern: measure the circumference of the abdomen in centimeters, the length of the cat’s body - from the neck to the tail, since this is how the postoperative bandage will be located.

One of the bandage options. To sew a bandage yourself, you will need thick, clean fabric. Preferably cotton. But you can also make it from soft fabric, then it is best to take, for example, flannel.

Recommendation: if you decide to sew a blanket yourself, choose a thick, plain fabric that shows signs of dirt. If you see traces of blood, this should be a signal to visit your veterinarian immediately. Because this is a signal that the seams have come undone.

You should not choose material for blankets with unstitched areas. If even a small thread gets into the suture area, it can cause suppuration and inflammation.

Cut out a square piece, leaving a small allowance. Then, recesses are created in the square of material so that the animal’s paws can be inserted: both front and back.

Important: you need to leave a little material in front of the front paws so that after putting on the blanket it does not creep towards the stomach.

A ribbon or rope is sewn to each outer corner. It is better to choose tape because, unlike rope, it will not cut into the body and cause additional discomfort and pain to the animal. These elements are necessary as ties.

The ties should not be tightly secured. Check that you can fit 2 fingers between the blanket and the cat. Otherwise, the bandage may chafe, which will require additional assistance to the animal. And your pet will feel uncomfortable.

Sometimes, if you don’t have ordinary fabric at hand, and you need to make a blanket quickly, other available means are used. For example, unnecessary leggings or tights of sufficient density, a piece of a turtleneck sleeve or a trouser leg. Of course, it is important that this item is suitable for your cat, taking into account the length of her body. And you can make the holes for the front paws yourself. Fixation with a knot on the neck should not be too tight or pinch.

Sometimes it happens that the seam is made too low. Then such a bandage made from improvised materials can ride up, and there will be no particular use from it. In this case, it is worth cutting holes in the blanket for the hind limbs.

By the way, such a product will be easier to put on and take off, and you won’t have to worry about strings. And it will be more convenient for the animal. It will not constantly slide down, it will sit tightly on the body.

Considering that in the postoperative period you will need several blankets, you can save money and make them yourself.

Pattern

It all starts with measuring your pet. For sewing you will need the following measurements:

• neck girth;
• chest circumference;
• abdominal circumference at the hind legs;
• paw girth;
• length from neck to base of tail.

Next, you can start building the pattern itself. Basically, a blanket is a fabric that covers the cat's belly and chest with slits for the paws and ties at the top. Based on the data obtained about the size of your pet, you need to build such a complex figure. The length of the ties is calculated based on the girth of the body, but it is better to make them with a reserve - when the finished blanket is already put on the cat after the operation, it is better to cut off the extra tails of the ribbons than to correct the ties that are too short.

The pattern of the blanket is based on the measurements of the animal and involves complete closure of the abdomen with recesses for the paws.
Materials for the blanket should be natural and well breathable, so regular cotton would be an excellent option (it should not be shabby, it is better to choose high-quality fabric). A good solution would be a multi-layer design: the top layer is decorative, the inner layer can be made of knitwear or flannel. You can sew an additional layer of fabric in the place where the seam will be located - it will serve as a gasket and absorb the released ichor.

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There should be from 5 to 7 pairs of fasteners, otherwise the bandage will not fix well and the cat will be able to get out of it. The simplest option is fabric ribbons 1.5–2 cm wide, which will be tied into bows. If desired, you can equip them with Velcro - then putting on the blanket will be somewhat easier. The parts cut out according to the patterns in the required quantity are simply stitched together.

If you need a blanket urgently, and there is no way to either buy it or sew it specially, then you can make a simple option that is perfect for the first time. To do this you will need:

1. Take a long sock or sleeve from a knitted sweater. Cut off the excess, leaving only a tissue tunnel corresponding to the measurements of the animal from neck to tail.
2. Cut holes for the front and hind legs so that when put on, the fabric does not cover the space under the tail and does not interfere with the cat going to the toilet.
3. The alternative blanket is ready. The downside is that it is difficult to put on - it will have to be pulled through the entire body of the animal, which must be done extremely carefully due to the seams.

What else can you make for your pet?

In addition to blankets, decorative and warming things are often sewn for cats: tuxedos, skirts, light clothes for summer and thick ones for winter. Each requires the use of certain materials and entry-level sewing skills.

Cat skirt

The tuxedo

A stylish accessory that will highlight the elegance of a slender and long cat. This jacket is made according to a simple pattern, but it looks very beautiful, and most importantly, it does not hinder the movement of the animal. For production you will need:

• white fabric (old shirt);
• black fabric (any cut);
• some red cloth;
• Velcro for fixation;
• tailor's tools in the form of scissors, chalk, sewing machine or hand sewing accessories.

Costume for a British kitten

Airy skirt

If a tuxedo is more suitable for keeping warm, then a skirt is more suitable for going out. Usually these outfits are made for show animals, which appear before spectators and judges in original outfits. Skirts as clothing have become increasingly popular lately. The most important thing is that for manufacturing you will need a few materials and ordinary tools:

• a piece of tulle;
• satin ribbon;
• scissors, needle and thread.

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Important! This set is quite enough to make a beautiful skirt for a cat like a tutu without diagrams or patterns.

Pattern of a dress for a cat

Emergency heating

It happens that clothes for a pet are needed extremely urgently and there is not enough time to create patterns, transfer them to fabric and sewing. To quickly warm up, you can use a regular sock. For production you will need:

• one warm sock;
• scissors;
• chalk.

The idea is to make a vest out of a sock. It is very similar to a blanket, but does not require sterility. A tube is made from a sock with holes for the paws. After which it is put on the cat.

Warm sock

Summer minimalism

For the warm season there is no need for warm clothes, so things for summer are aimed at decorating the cat in a certain style. Such accessories can include ties, bow ties, hats and many others. So, to sew a bow tie you will need:

• collar;
• needle, thread and scissors;
• fabric for the butterfly.

Some tips for caring for your cat after surgery

If the animal refuses to let its owner near, fights and breaks out, then you should:

• give the animal sedatives during the recovery period;
• do not show aggression or dissatisfaction with the behavior of the animal, talking affectionately and stroking it;
• carry out the treatment after swaddling the pet with a soft towel.

It is forbidden:

• use alcohol tinctures for processing;
• rub the surgical site;
• Thickly lubricate the seams with a healing agent;
• apply a tight bandage.

Proper care and the presence of blankets are the key to a speedy recovery.

Real care for pets on the part of owners is manifested in providing their pets with comfortable conditions during the recovery period after surgery. The acquisition and use of special protective blankets is one of these moments. In addition, these devices are needed as clothing for pets.

Dress for the sphinx

Using a simple pattern, you can make a beautiful dress for your hairless Sphynx cat. The most remarkable thing is that a dress of this kind can be made from just two pieces. First of all, the main part is made, and then the sundress, which is sewn to the base.

For your information! All this takes very little time, but looks very attractive. Do-it-yourself clothes for the sphinx, the patterns of which are presented in the picture below, can be made in a matter of hours.

Knitted suit on a Canadian cat

When can you remove the blanket?

A bandage (blanket) tied on the back is used to protect the sutures on the abdomen placed in the clinic during surgery.

The healing period of the suture is extremely important for the future health of the cat.

Sometimes it is possible to remove the blanket from a cat after sterilization already on the second day after the operation, but if emergency situations arise, the period of wearing the bandage can increase to 10 days or more.

The main problem when wearing a protective device can be considered that the tailed pet protests with all his might against putting it on , tries to get rid of it, seems very unhappy, which causes the owner a natural desire to make the cat’s life easier. But there are a number of nuances that affect the period of wearing the bandage.

How to train a cat to wear clothes

Extra attributes are unusual for animals, even if they perform quite useful functions. If a cat rejects clothes, then at first you will have to do everything to get the pet used to it. There is one rule: it is necessary to accustom the animal to clothes from a very early age. This very quickly becomes a habit, and the outfit no longer causes rejection.

Important! If the cat is already an adult, then there is no need to be upset. It is worth putting things on it for just a couple of minutes a day, and then gradually increasing the time you spend in clothes. This will teach her not to be afraid of accessories.

DIY pattern and measurements for a Sphynx cat

Thus, patterning clothes for a cat is a simple process that does not require deep knowledge of sewing or the ability to handle highly specialized tools. Warm or decorative clothing for a pet can be made in a couple of hours, following precise step-by-step instructions.

What affects the duration of wearing a blanket?

The number of days to wear a postoperative bandage will depend on how the stitches were treated:

• using a spray. Veterinarians often find it necessary to treat seams with a special protective spray. Its action is aimed at preventing the development of inflammatory processes, accelerating healing, and also reducing the duration of wearing a blanket. When using it, the bandage can be removed after 6-7 days;
• without using spray. If the spray has not been used, the doctor will recommend removing the blanket no earlier than after 8-10 days.

In general, postoperative blankets are made from cotton fabric. It should not lead to skin irritation. And its main task is to protect wounds from infections and licking by a cat.

Note! It is possible that while in the bandage the animal may move and behave unusually, but after removal, its behavior and gait will return to normal.

Dressing up

The functionality and effectiveness of using a bandage for a cat during its postoperative period after sterilization depends not only on the correctness of its cut and manufacture. After surgery, the bandage must be tied correctly and carefully. If the fasteners or ties of the bandage are pulled too tightly, it will be too tight, and this will have a bad effect on the healing processes of stitches and wounds. A very loose tie is also ineffective; it will move, rubbing the seam on the animal, or the cat will pull it off altogether, and also damage the seams.

When dressing correctly, you need to unfold the bandage, straightening all the ties. Then the cat carefully lies down on it and the ties are secured in front near the head and front paws. After this, the back ties are tied in pairs above the paws and they are bandaged in the pelvic area. With different cuts of blankets, there may be a different order of dressing. The main thing after putting on the bandage is to make sure it is properly fixed. To do this, you need to let the cat move around the apartment. If she feels comfortable, moves around freely and does not try to tear off the bandage, then he is wearing it correctly.

It should be noted that there is no need to take off and put on the blanket every day. If you need to treat a seam after sterilization, or change a bandage, you can just untie a few ties. But still, we must take into account that during the period of wearing the blanket, which is 10-14 days, it may be necessary to change it to maintain cleanliness.

However, most cats feel uncomfortable wearing a bandage. They try to get rid of it, gnaw and tear it with their teeth and claws. Therefore, a properly selected fabric for a bandage, especially its upper part, should be relatively durable. If the cat nevertheless takes off the blanket, then first of all you need to inspect the seam and, if necessary, contact a veterinarian. If everything is fine with the seam, you need to carefully put the bandage back on so that it fits tighter.

Be more kind and gentle to your pets during this difficult period for them, pay them more attention and then they will forget about the bandage.