Most people living in an apartment cannot do without a fluffy soft friend - a cat. To create comfortable conditions for her, the owner is ready to do anything. Clothes for cats can protect the animal from hypothermia during walks or drafts during a long journey in transport.
Whim or necessity
Sometimes, when you are outside, you can see a pet in some beautiful overalls or dress. And there is nothing wrong with that. Maybe the owner wants to make his pet more attractive. There are breeds of cats that simply need to put on additional clothes to keep warm. A tight-fitting jumpsuit will protect the animal from ticks and other parasites, and a light suit will protect it from overheating and exposure to sunlight..
The owner's desire to dress up their pet can be caused by several reasons. In most cases, clothes on the animal solve some problem and make the pet's life easier. For example, short-haired or hairless cats get very cold even in warm weather. If the animal has skin damage, medicine is applied to these areas, and protective clothing is put on to prevent the cat from licking the wounds. The wardrobe prevents the medicine from getting into the body and helps to recover faster.
There are times when clothes are used to stand out in the crowd, showing off a rather expensive piece of your pet's wardrobe. Fashion for cat clothes does not stand still, every year new styles and combinations appear, which require spending a lot of money.
Modern fashionistas refuse the range of clothes presented in specialized stores and prefer to go to an expensive studio to sew an exclusive outfit for their cat. And this is not only an everyday suit, but also many festive, warm and protective models. In addition, they do not stop and buy jewelry for the cat. After all, a fashionably and richly dressed fluffy cat is a sign of its owner's well-being.
So it turns out: for some, clothes are a necessity, and for others, a chance to stand out in society. And the fashion industry is developing and flourishing, bringing in huge profits.
Requirements for materials
The fur of most cats keeps them warm even in severe frosts. But there are breeds that simply cannot do without warm clothes, for example, sphinxes. If it is cold outside, and the heating in the house has not yet been turned on, the cat can catch a cold and get sick. A cold floor also has a negative effect on the animal's health. Even an adult can get sick from hypothermia, but a kitten of a hairless cat suffers especially. In such cases, a warm jumpsuit and socks on the paws will do for the pet.
Cats are very picky animals, so not every piece of clothing will suit them. The choice is influenced by the ability of cats to move quickly, jump and lead an active lifestyle. The cat should feel free, nothing should restrict its movements, so as not to cause injury to the animal.
Clothes are made from materials that do not become electrified and do not make rustling sounds. Otherwise, it will disturb and alarm the animal. The most commonly used fabrics are:
- Wool - mohair, angora or knitted wool fabric will keep your pet warm. Such fabrics do not cause allergies, “breathe” well and will be comfortable for the animal;
- Viscose is a soft, hypoallergenic material that absorbs moisture well, is easy to wash and is highly wear-resistant;
- Cotton, linen are natural fabrics that provide excellent thermoregulation. They protect against overheating on hot days, and in winter they will warm the cat at home. The fabric wrinkles quite a lot and may shrink after washing;
- Synthetic fabrics - suitable only for photo shoots or public appearances. Daily wear of synthetic clothing can cause allergies, and it does not allow air to pass through well;
- Mixed materials - have the best qualities of natural fibers and synthetics. They are soft, easy to wash, and hold color well.
The outer garment is lined with synthetic padding. It holds its shape well, is lightweight and can be washed in a washing machine. Bologna fabric, raincoat fabric or any material with water-repellent properties can be used as the outer layer.
Such clothes protect against overheating and serve as good insulation in winter. They are suitable for cats without hair, especially sphinxes. Everyday outfits should be practical and comfortable. And if they have zippers, then when fastening them you need to be careful that the hair does not get into it.
You can't keep a cat in clothes for a long time, this can lead to overheating of the skin and will not allow you to perform hygiene of your body.
Materials for production are selected according to the following criteria:
- The fabric must be highly durable. When wearing outerwear, the cat may catch it on sharp corners or its claws. Fragile fabric or large knitting may be damaged;
- A material that restricts the animal's movements causes discomfort. The model should be light and elastic, but not too loose, so that the cat does not get tangled or injured;
- The fabric should be easy to clean from dirt and wash;
- The material and accessories of the outfit should not harm the cat. Clothes with decorations are not suitable for everyday wear. It is necessary to carefully monitor the animal so that it does not bite off or eat any decoration. This can lead to unpleasant consequences.
When choosing clothes, you need to consider their purpose. Little rascals grow quickly, and purchased clothes for kittens made of expensive fabric will no longer be needed after a while.
The best styles
Modern manufacturers of cat products offer the following types of clothing for these furry creatures:
- a jumpsuit that is suitable for damp and cool weather and has the appearance of a one-piece cover with slits for the animal's limbs, head and tail;
- jacket – covers the front part of the body, also warms the cat in a cool room or when walking outside;
- sweater, vest, blanket - intended for home and walks during warm times of the day;
- a light shirt or pajamas - more suitable for summer and protect against ticks and other parasites;
- bodysuits – help the cat during the period after operations;
- exquisite outfits in the form of dresses and suits - exhibition pieces and samples for photographs;
- anti-sex bodysuit – the name speaks for itself: it does not allow the male cat to “take possession” of the female cat and mark the territory, and is also an excellent option for cats after sterilization;
- robe - put on the cat after taking a bath or visiting the hairdresser;
- fashionable headwear and paw accessories that cats wear during photo shoots and exhibitions.
Many of these items cost a pretty penny, so housewives do not buy, but sew or crochet beautiful vests, hats and warm socks. Items crocheted this way are exclusive and interesting. You can crochet summer options with lace or thicker autumn-spring samples. Depending on the thickness of the hook, clothing models for cats and patterns of the future outfit are selected. Examples of patterns can be taken from magazines, where knitting patterns are presented.
When creating a future outfit, you need to think carefully about how additional clothing details will be located so that the animal does not get entangled in them and can move freely. It is better to refrain from attaching any brooches with sharp corners to the costume, which the animal can tear off and accidentally swallow.
If you don't have any sewing skills, the easiest way to keep your pet warm is to use a warm cotton sock. All you need to do is take a sock and cut out small holes for the paws and head. Then put the resulting product on your cat.
To choose comfortable clothes for your pet, you need to correctly measure its length, neck and chest volume. For young pets, it is better to make a reserve of a few centimeters.
Of all the existing models, several types of the best examples are distinguished:
- A fleece sweater is warm clothing for cats, the loose cut of which does not restrict the animal's movements, retains heat and does not electrify. It is easy to clean, the fleece does not allow the product to stretch and shrink after washing;
- Fur-lined vests are the favorite clothing of sphinxes. The surface of the product is treated with a water-repellent impregnation, and the artificial fur retains body heat and prevents the cat from getting too cold;
- Plush sweatshirt - clothing for hairless cats and short-haired breeds: Peterbalds, Bambinos, Cornish Rexes, British. Absorbs moisture, warms the body well, does not fade under the influence of ultraviolet rays, tolerates numerous washings and does not shed;
- Terry robes of various styles are a convenient accessory after bathing;
- T-shirts – protect from the scorching sun and various parasites on the street;
- Winter types of sheepskin coats - products made of natural sheepskin will not let you feel the severe frost outside. The product is decorated with a collar and cuffs;
- For cat lovers, there is a trend in fashion called cat print – cats are depicted on clothes in the form of a three-dimensional drawing. Such T-shirts and sweaters look very beautiful.
How to Train a Cat to Wear Clothes
Not every cat likes it when you start putting clothes on her. Cats are animals with character, and to dress her you need to spend time, effort and nerves. These wayward queens do not want to wear wardrobe items on themselves, they try to get rid of them - they pull them off with their teeth and claws. It may not be possible to approach and calm her down by picking her up right away, you need to wait for her to come to her senses, attract her with something tasty.
It is best to teach cats to wear clothes when they are young, while they are still kittens. First, put on a knitted item without any accessories: sweaters, overalls. Let the kitten spend some time in the clothes at home - this is his territory and here he will behave more calmly. The item must be selected so that it does not hang loose and does not hinder the animal's movements.
But what to do if the cat has already reached a certain age? How to accustom a cat to clothes? You need to be patient. First, you need to put on clothes for a short time, being kind and gently stroking the cat. It is necessary to repeat the procedure several times a day so that it begins to get used to the clothes. If the cat tries to take off the outfit - do not resist, but help to free itself from the clothes. Everything depends on the mood of the beauty. If there is no result, then you should try to apply a few drops of valerian to the clothes.
Sooner or later, your efforts will not be in vain – the cat will get used to the outfits and will be calm about them during walks.
Options for the New Year
The New Year celebration is considered one of the main events of the outgoing year. On this night, you can see many magnificent fairy-tale costumes. Not only people, but also animals dress up as heroes from fairy tales and cartoons. The cat, being a member of the family, also takes part in the costume celebration. And you can make a carnival costume for the New Year with your own hands, and one that will be the center of attention for children and adults. The choice of costumes is huge - from a hat with a bow on the neck to Santa's chic short fur coats.
A carnival costume, like other clothes for a cat, should be comfortable. The pet should not look ridiculous in it.
Costumes are sold ready-made, but they can be quite expensive, so there is nothing complicated in sewing a New Year's outfit with your own hands. You need to have desire and a little patience. Knowing the basics of cutting and sewing will help create a brilliant and unforgettable outfit. When making it, you need to take into account the temperament of the cat. If it has a refined character, then it is better to choose a princess or fairy ball gown. And vice versa, with mischievous and eccentric behavior - sew a pig or chicken costume. As a result, the costume may not match the original, but this is even better. You will not find such things anywhere else!
When the outfit is ready, it is necessary to take a photo with your pet as a keepsake. Cats in New Year's themed clothes look so funny and amusing. Every family member, especially children, receives gifts on this night. New Year is no exception for a cat. The most long-awaited gift is a tasty treat. It should be prepared in advance and not given from the holiday table.
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