Clothes for cats – a whim of the owner or a necessity?

Today, pet stores offer a wide range of clothing for pets. In most cases, the clothes are for dogs, but some also purchase outfits for cats and cats. You will learn how to choose the right clothes for your pet from the article below.

Clothes for cats – a necessity or a whim?

Even the ancient Egyptians used clothes for cats. It was in Egypt that cats were especially revered and appreciated. As a gift, they were presented with precious stones, delicious food and expensive outfits. Despite the fact that the deification of cats has remained in the distant past, some features of their content have survived to this day.

Dressing pets is necessary not only for the sake of beauty or the whim of the owner, but also to protect the body from hypothermia, overheating, precipitation and drafts. Of course, not all four-legged friends will need clothing items: some breeds have a thick coat and thick undercoat, so they do not need to be warmed. What can not be said about sphinxes and smooth-haired cats, they need protection from the harsh Russian winters.

Also in the vulnerable category are kittens, old pets and animals that have undergone surgery with extensive cutting of hair. Check this for best cat clothes at lovecatstuff.

In any case, a blanket is put on a four-legged friend after the operation so that the animal does not lick and comb the wound. In this case, the medical bandage also protects the cat from cold and drafts.

Sphinxes

Are dressed not only in winter, but also in summer. To protect pets from the scorching sun, cotton T-shirts are used. If this is not done, the skin of sphinxes and lekvar will become dry and covered with spots.

Clothing saves cats that are accustomed to walking on the street, not only from precipitation, but also from wool pollution and parasites. In the latter case, there is no 100% guarantee of protection, but protective overalls significantly reduce the risk of disease. To protect the cat from casual relationships with other animals, you can also put on a protective suit, and then the owner will not have to solve the problem with the kittens.

Some owners dress up their pets in beautiful holiday outfits that are not very convenient for everyday wear. As a rule, this is done for participation in exhibitions and photo shoots.

Materials and requirements

The main materials in the manufacture of clothes for cats are:

Cotton and linen fabrics, coarse calico – ideal for sewing summer clothes. Thanks to excellent thermoregulation, the animal feels good, even on the hottest summer day. The only negative is that after washing, the clothes shrink and wrinkle a lot.
Synthetic materials – ideal for sewing elegant holiday costumes. In everyday wear, this version of materials is not used due to low air permeability.
Wool, knitwear – for winter clothing options. For example, mohair is highly breathable and warms perfectly, does not cause allergies in pets.
The material of things intended for walking is combined – for example, they combine water-repellent fabrics with synthetic winterize filler. These fabrics are easy to wash, they dry quickly and practically do not wrinkle. The top layer of clothing (especially for spring and autumn) is made of bologna fabric or raincoat. It perfectly repels moisture and protects the animal’s coat from pollution.

For everyday clothing options, it is necessary to select light fabrics that will not hinder the movement of the animal. If the material of the suit clings or causes any inconvenience, the pet may be injured during active games.

Home clothing for daily use must meet the following requirements:

Easy to wash
Fabrics should be strong and light. In the process of wearing, cats often cling to clothes with their claws, and in order not to tear the outfit, the material must be strong enough;
A minimum of accessories (i.e. exclude the presence of an excessive amount of rivets, buttons, zippers, fasteners and ruffles);
Seams and fasteners must be hidden. Buttons should not be sewn at all, the animal can tear them off and swallow them.

Cat outfits

Manufacturers of pet products, in addition to food, vitamins and other paraphernalia, also offer a wide selection of outfits. For example:

Overalls, jackets and raincoats are protective clothing for a four-legged friend from cold, rainy and muddy weather.
T-shirt, shirt – suitable for use at home or during the warmer months. This type of clothing protects the pet from Excessive overheating and harmful parasites (ticks, mosquitoes and fleas);
Blanket, vest – an indispensable outfit for walks or in the postoperative period;
Bathrobe – put on a pet after a bath and water procedures;
Protective bodysuit – prevents accidental mating of a cat with a male;
Original suits and dresses – for exhibitions and photo shoots;
Hats and boots – used either in cold, dirty weather, or for exhibitions and photo shoots.

How to determine the size of the product?

Each pet has its own characteristics of the structure and body size. When choosing clothes, you should focus not only on the physical parameters of the animal, many nuances depend on the breed and age of the pet.

How to determine the correct size? Take a tape measure and measure your furry friend. Required measures:

neck circumference – measure at the widest point.
chest girth (measured under the front paws).
length along the back from the withers to the base of the tail.
head circumference (for headwear).

Cat clothing sizes are classified according to the length along the back:

30 cm (XXS);
33 cm (XS);
35 cm (S);
37 cm (M);
40 cm (L);
45 см (XL)

Purchased clothing should be durable, comfortable and practical. Quality things after washing “do not shrink”, do not stretch and do not wrinkle much. When choosing clothes for your pet, consider the time of year: warm clothes are the best option in winter, and microfiber and raincoat fabric are suitable for the autumn-spring period. In summer, it is best to buy breathable outfits.

How to train a pet to dress up?

It is best to accustom the animal to wear clothes from an early age. Adult cats have a negative perception of clothing and get used to it for a long time.

Start simple – choose a comfortable thing. When your four-legged friend is in the mood, put this thing on him. Wait a few minutes, watch the reaction. If the kitten starts to resist, take off your clothes immediately. Repeat the experiment in a couple of days. Do not forget to encourage and reinforce your pet with a treat and a kind word.

If the animal makes contact, put clothes on it several times a day. After a couple of days, the pet will get used to it and will be calm about clothes.

The main thing in training is calmness and patience. You should not insist or force the animal, by such actions you can develop a negative reflex to all outfits. In the first place should be the needs of a beloved four-legged friend, and not the desires and whims of the owner.