I took our 2 young cats to the veterinarian for necessary surgery (an incision in the abdomen requiring stitches). After the operation the vet supplied the usual plastic head cones which stop the animals from licking or biting their incisions. But the cones make the animals miserable since they can't see or hear properly, move around, eat, drink or use their litter box without a lot of frustration. So I had to invent some non-cone solution: THE CAT JACKET. No doubt it will work on dogs, too.
Two kittens adopted us several weeks ago. They are female and one is black (I named her "Bella" after my Dracula bella orchid), and the other is grey (my cousin, Linda named her "Buttercup" before I could stop her). This is their story. (No, not Linda's!)
Two kittens adopted us several weeks ago. They are female and one is black (I named her "Bella" after my Dracula bella orchid), and the other is grey (my cousin, Linda named her "Buttercup" before I could stop her). This is their story. (No, not Linda's!)
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Signing UpStep 1: Tools & materials you'll need.
1. Old T-Shirt or other piece of material about 20" (40cm) square.
2. Scissors.
3. Marker (felt pen, etc.) if you want to mark the cloth before cutting.
4. Four safety pins.
NOTE: This is for a medium-sized cat. You will need a bigger piece of cloth and more safety pins for larger animals.
CLOTH NOTE: I have found that tee shirt material works best (not sure, but I think it's called "Jersey"). I did try another type of cloth that was more "crisp", but it failed miserably in less than a day -- it frayed and ripped, and of course the poor cat was desperately trying to lick the frayed threads. Be careful what material you use.
FASTENER NOTE: You can of course use something fancier than safety pins, but before you sew on buttons, snaps or velcro, remember that the jacket only has to last a few days - until the stitches are removed. And while it's being worn the cloth will stretch and have to be repositioned, you should look under the jacket every day to check the wound and if the jacket rips, gets soiled or has to be re-tailored you may be sorry you didn't just use quick & easy safety pins.
MOST IMPORTANT NOTE: The whole purpose of the jacket is to protect the wound and stitches from being licked or chewed. It's okay if your cat licks the cloth; no harm done. BUT IF YOUR ANIMAL BITES OR CHEWS THE WOUND AREA THROUGH THE CLOTH then you must put the head cone back on. Or possibly use a heavier cloth, or a patch of chew-proof material sewn over the wound area. So far, my cats haven't made any effort to chew through the cloth - only lick it - so hopefully you'll have the same luck.
PICTURE: Buttercup gnawing on the hated cone.
2. Scissors.
3. Marker (felt pen, etc.) if you want to mark the cloth before cutting.
4. Four safety pins.
NOTE: This is for a medium-sized cat. You will need a bigger piece of cloth and more safety pins for larger animals.
CLOTH NOTE: I have found that tee shirt material works best (not sure, but I think it's called "Jersey"). I did try another type of cloth that was more "crisp", but it failed miserably in less than a day -- it frayed and ripped, and of course the poor cat was desperately trying to lick the frayed threads. Be careful what material you use.
FASTENER NOTE: You can of course use something fancier than safety pins, but before you sew on buttons, snaps or velcro, remember that the jacket only has to last a few days - until the stitches are removed. And while it's being worn the cloth will stretch and have to be repositioned, you should look under the jacket every day to check the wound and if the jacket rips, gets soiled or has to be re-tailored you may be sorry you didn't just use quick & easy safety pins.
MOST IMPORTANT NOTE: The whole purpose of the jacket is to protect the wound and stitches from being licked or chewed. It's okay if your cat licks the cloth; no harm done. BUT IF YOUR ANIMAL BITES OR CHEWS THE WOUND AREA THROUGH THE CLOTH then you must put the head cone back on. Or possibly use a heavier cloth, or a patch of chew-proof material sewn over the wound area. So far, my cats haven't made any effort to chew through the cloth - only lick it - so hopefully you'll have the same luck.
PICTURE: Buttercup gnawing on the hated cone.
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If you use a premade item, make sure that any seams won't rub on the incision you are trying to protect. Irritating the incision could cause the very behavior we are hoping to prevent.
I also used this idea when we went on vacation with our dogs (both chihuahuas) when we were surprised by cold night time temperatures. It makes an easy, impromptu sweater.
I do this whenever I am making something that I don't already have a pattern for.
but last time my oldest one had a major surgery on her behind leg and her knee and then... couldn't make a trousers have tried it a lot, but....
so after all i let her walk in the bench without the cone but it costed me lots of attention.LOL
she is now recoverd without the cone and she walks great again.
but love the sharing of your idea, well done.
Glad that she is well again;-D much fun with her.
My changes that I made to this were to use the bottom seam on the t-shirt that is finished as the back end edge. Since this is the one they are likely to be able to access directly, having it cleanly finished is probably better.
I just cut slits into the material rather than actually making holes. It is for a cat, so larger beasts may need holes.
Thanks for this great idea, Scooter is much much happier now without the collar, and it will be a lot easier to make sure she is well fed and rested now. She is happy to finally be able to groom herself after three days of the dreaded collar.
Buttercup looks massive in that muscle t! great guns, grrrrr.
i will try out yours if my dog ever needs it some day(god forbid).