How to tie a blanket for a cat: instructions for putting it on, features

The use of blankets for cats, as directed by a veterinarian, is a prerequisite for a quick and high-quality recovery of the animal. How to tie a blanket for a cat? It must be tied correctly and tightly according to the instructions, then it will be easier for the animal to recover after abdominal surgery.

In this article you will learn how to properly put a blanket on a cat; in addition to a written description of the procedure, we also decided to share with you a video of the procedure. Scroll to the end of the page to clearly see how to properly put a blanket on your cat so that she is happy and her stitches heal safely after sterilization.

Why do you need a blanket?

blanket (bandage) – a fabric covering prescribed for cats to wear after surgery

Veterinarians everywhere prescribe so-called blankets for cats during the postoperative period. A blanket, also known as a bandage, is a fabric covering that covers the entire abdomen and chest of a pet, thus preventing the animal from reaching postoperative sutures. The need for it is due to the fact that cats often not only actively lick the stitches, but also try to chew out medical threads on the incisions. And since in most cases the sutures need to be treated with medications several times a day, at least in the first days after surgery, and ingestion of such medications by animals is undesirable, the bandage also helps protect the cat from poisoning with antiseptics.

Depending on the nature of the operation, a blanket can be put on the animal in a veterinary clinic, or its wearing is prescribed as necessary, so owners must clearly understand not only how to put a bandage on their pet, but also what to use when choosing it.

What is a blanket?

A cat blanket is a special post-operative dressing that must be applied after surgical incisions in the abdominal cavity. The fabric is designed to protect seams from moisture, dirt and microorganisms, protects against infections, inflammation and purulent wounds of the mucous membrane. This prevents cats from being stressed, as saliva and mechanical stress can be detrimental to the animal's health. The blanket protects the postoperative wound from scratches, facilitating faster rehabilitation of animals.

After cat sterilization surgery, the veterinarian usually recommends the use of a blanket and gives recommendations on the timing and rules of its use.

The ability to obtain a blanket is acquired through experience, when the owner tries to tie it several times in a row. Your veterinarian should recommend a blanket for your kitten after surgery; if you tie one without following the recommendations, you may harm your cat. After all, inflammation of the sutures is the most common and unpleasant complication after surgery between animals.

How to choose a device

choose products in transparent packaging, study in detail the quality factor of the bandage

For a speedy recovery of your pet, it is important that the blanket meets a number of requirements:

Materials. It is better to opt for natural cotton products, so air will easily flow to the wound, which reduces the risk of inflammatory processes and suppuration. The ideal materials for a bandage would be a combination of cotton and lycra, but the inclusion of synthetic fibers will not negatively affect the quality, but on the contrary - it improves the stretchability of the fabric and does not hinder the animal’s movements.
Quality of tailoring. All seams of the device should be strong, but be neat so that the cat cannot tear them in an attempt to get rid of the bandage. Even numerous ties of the product should have a stitch around the perimeter. This will extend the service life during subsequent washes and prevent “fraying”. After all, even a small thread getting on a healing wound can result in rotting of the seam and a deterioration in your pet’s well-being.
Selected size. Mass produced blankets come in three sizes: S (for small cats), M (for medium cats) and L (for large cats). Given your pet's individual characteristics, choosing the perfect bandage for her may not be easy. In this case, the blanket can be sewn by hand.
Colors. On a light-colored or plain product, various stains will immediately catch your eye, which means they will be a signal to you that the blanket needs to be washed.
Package. Keep in mind that in a pet store you are unlikely to be allowed to take the blanket out of the package and try it on the animal. You can only visually, through the package, evaluate the quality of tailoring of the bandage. Therefore, choose a product in transparent packaging; unfortunately, unscrupulous, low-quality products are packaged with a bright design.

Sewing blankets at home

If you have tried all the methods described above, but they did not work for you, then in this case you can make a bandage for your cat with your own hands from scratch. Homemade blankets are in many ways superior to similar ones made from improvised means, however, this is not without its drawbacks.

The main difficulties are that sometimes it is very difficult to choose the right size, as a result of which the “case” has to be altered several times. There are still some problems with the choice of material. But if you do everything right, the bandage will turn out to be of high quality.

Instructions for putting on

most often the blanket is put on the cat right in the veterinary clinic

Most often, the blanket is fixed to the cat’s body using ties, but there are also options on sale with Velcro and zippers. It is easier to dress an animal in a bandage with Velcro or a zipper, but such products are usually much more expensive.

As you already know, most often a blanket is put on a cat right in the veterinary clinic; in most cases, at this time the animal is still under anesthesia or only partially conscious. In this state, the purr offers no resistance, which greatly simplifies the task. If difficulties arise, seek help from the veterinary clinic staff. Now the main thing for you is not to make sudden movements when manipulating the animal’s body, be extremely careful - fresh stitches are very easy to damage!

Subsequent times, when removing and putting on the bandage to treat the wound, you will have to deal with an active animal. It is important to act as calmly as possible. If your pet is noticeably nervous, try to calm him down with petting and a gentle voice.

DIY cat blanket: step-by-step instructions

When you make it yourself, you have the opportunity to choose the size and choose natural fabric.

Be sure to read:

Can neutered cats mate with cats: why sexual heat remains, what to do

Parameters for the pattern:

chest volume;
body length;
distance between paws.

Using the pattern, cut out the part and begin attaching Velcro or ribbons. When drawing, add a centimeter to the measurements to process the edges.

Recommendation! The edges of the product must be processed.

Ribbons are made from leftover fabric, sewn on by machine or by hand. The ties rarely come undone on their own. The long edges cling to the animal; it is recommended to shorten the finished ribbons. Velcro makes the process of removing the bandage convenient, but they are purchased additionally. They do not interfere with the cat's movement. Over time, the surface becomes non-sticky.

For large wounds, two-layer or three-layer protection is made. A pad is placed in a multi-layer bandage to absorb secretions. Changed periodically. Double or triple blankets are durable. During the sewing process, several layers are connected, leaving a hole for the gasket. Choose lightweight, breathable fabric.

Rules for tying on an animal

scheme for attaching a blanket to a cat

Let's focus on how you can put a blanket on a cat. First, make sure that the bandage is positioned correctly on the table, the reference points are symmetrical cutouts for the front legs. The cat's head should be slightly in front of them, and the cutouts themselves should be in the area of your pet's front armpits.

A standard blanket has 7 pairs of laces for fixation, symmetrically located along the side edges of the product. They have to be tied on the back of the animal. Considering that you will often have to remove and put on the bandage, you should not make the knots too tight. However, too weak a fixation can create problems: the cat will be able to untie the laces with its teeth and get rid of the bandage.

You need to tie the blanket correctly starting from the head. Taking the two laces at the front, fix them on the purr's neck.
The next two pairs of ribbons need to be tied crosswise on the animal’s shoulder blades, that is, the right tie from the third pair is connected to the left tie from the second pair, the right tie from the second pair is connected to the left tie from the third pair. So you should get a crosshair made of ribbons on your pet’s withers.
The following laces are tied in pairs on the back.
The last two pairs of ties should be secured crosswise on the back of the animal's body.

When fixing the blanket, do not squeeze the animal’s body too much. If you notice that the cat's movements have become constrained, slightly loosen the lacing. Also make sure that the bandage does not cover the animal’s excretory openings: the anus and urinary tract. Otherwise, due to discomfort, the animal will try to remove the post-operative bandage, and you will be faced with the fact that the blanket will very soon be dirty.

If the wound on your pet’s body is small, it is not necessary to completely remove the blanket to treat it - free only that part of the body where the surgical suture is located, this way you will save your time and your pet’s nerves in the process of fixing the bandage. When tying ribbons, do not leave long ends. Remember that your cat can easily pull them with his teeth, loosening or untying the knot.

It is allowed to remove the bandage for 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a day, especially if the cat does not get used to it well. However, at this time the pet should be under your close attention. When trying to lick stitches and wounds, you must immediately gently prevent this: caress the animal or distract it with food.

It's best to have another blanket just in case. You should not rule out the possibility that your pet may tear the bandage with its teeth or get it very dirty, in which case it will be necessary to replace the bandage.

How to put a blanket on a cat

Correct fixation of the postoperative bandage is carried out as follows. The animal must be calmed and caressed before being placed on its side. The first pairs of ties are designed for the withers area, where they are secured. The next two pairs (around the front legs) are tied at the beginning of the back into one common knot. Do the same with the ties in the area of the hind legs; they are tied on the opposite side into one knot.

It is better to cross the two ties on the hind legs around the cat's rump. This is also convenient if you need to regularly change gauze bandages and treat the seam with antiseptic preparations. There is no need to remove the entire blanket. It is convenient when the bandage has a zipper, buttons or Velcro instead of ties. There are blankets made by Dutch manufacturers that have a pocket inside. You can put medicine or a bandage there.

On average, wearing a postoperative bandage does not exceed 8-10 days. As soon as the wound heals, the blanket is removed. If the pet begins to actively lick the wound area, itch or bite the area, it is better to put the protective device back on. The animal should also be shown to a specialist who will check for hidden inflammation.

How many days to wear

in the question of how long to continue wearing the bandage, trust your veterinarian.
Postoperative care, which is fully the responsibility of the owners, is one of the most important points, for example, when sterilizing a cat. One of the most frequently asked questions is how long should I wear a blanket?

It is important to understand here that the duration of wearing the bandage directly depends on the complexity of the operation, the size of the wound, the individual condition of the cat and the healing processes. As a rule, after simple surgical interventions, the pet should wear a bandage for 10 to 15 days. However, these terms may vary either more or less.

The problem that you may encounter is that the cat may resist putting on and wearing the blanket, trying with all its might to remove it. Often the pet looks unhappy or is offended by the owners, so there may be a desire to rid the animal of wearing a bandage early. But it is important to remember that the optimal timing for removing the bandage will save your pet from unnecessary problems, and the decision to finally abandon the blanket should be made by a veterinarian.

Towel blankets

What makes them special? If the method of making a bandage with children's things did not work out, for example, you simply did not have any or you have problems choosing the appropriate size, then you can make it from towels. Perhaps this blanket can be considered one of the best, since it combines ease of tailoring, efficiency and practicality.

To make a bandage for a cat, you will need a regular cotton towel, in which four holes are cut for the animal's paws. And also ribbons are sewn on the ends of the material, acting as ties that secure the blanket on the back of the four-legged friend.

Advantages of the technique:

Everyone has towels;
You don't need to have high sewing skills.

The disadvantages include the fact that the fabric does not have sufficient elasticity and density, so the bandages do not fit well to the body and often tear.

Seam processing

treatment of postoperative sutures is an extremely important point

In addition, you should not miss such an important point as processing the seams. After sterilization, the suture is usually located in the lower abdomen of the animal. In this case, it is better not to remove the bandage completely, so you will save yourself the hassle of putting it on later. It will be enough to untie two or three of the outermost rear laces and bend the edge of the fabric so that it does not interfere with access to the treatment area. Antibacterialization of the wound is carried out with medications prescribed by the veterinarian and at intervals recommended by him, depending on the nature of the medical intervention and the general condition of your pet.

Purchasing a finished product

If the owner bought a ready-made postoperative apron, then the product packaging contains instructions on how to tie it correctly. When making a protective bandage with your own hands, it is sewn from a fabric base and 7 pairs of ribbons.

The first pair is tied around the pet’s neck, the second and third are tied crosswise among themselves (the front legs will be at this level), the fourth and fifth are fixed on the back, and the sixth and seventh are also crossed crosswise at the level of the hind limbs.

The bandage must be tightened sufficiently so that the pet’s movements are as free as possible. However, if it is tied too loosely, a resourceful animal will easily pull it off. No wool should get into the knots of the ribbons.

The back of the bandage should ensure free flow of urine and feces, otherwise it is better to cut off the excess fabric.

The veterinarian may, if necessary, prescribe treatment of sutures after surgery by applying bandages with healing ointments. Without removing the blanket, it is enough to untie only the last two pairs of tapes for processing, which simplifies seam care.

Many pets experience severe discomfort when they feel any foreign object on their body.

What can we say about an object that covers almost the entire body, hinders movement and cannot be removed. However, you should not immediately give in to your pet’s demands to remove the hated blanket; after a few days, the animal will get used to it and stop trying to tear off the bandage.

When to remove the blanket?

the period of wearing the bandage also directly depends on the type of suture treatment.
The duration of wearing the bandage also depends on the type of suture treatment used by the operating veterinarian. Was it treated with a special spray that protects the seam from harmful bacteria, or was no such treatment carried out?

In cases with the use of a spray, the likelihood of inflammatory processes is reduced. Provided the pet's condition is satisfactory and there are no complications in the suture area, at the discretion of the veterinarian, the maximum period of wearing the bandage can be a week. If the spray was not used after the operation, surgeons recommend wearing a blanket for ten days to be on the safe side.

As we have already said, the veterinarian should have the final say on removing the bandage. Sometimes the decision that a cat should stop wearing a bandage is made for the following reasons:

The pet behaves extremely aggressively and does not give up trying to remove the blanket (but in this case, the doctor may also prescribe sedatives to calm the animal).
The cat does not stand on its paws, is afraid to take even a few steps, or stops eating.
Clear signs of deterioration in the general condition of the animal (nausea, vomiting, tremors, breathing problems, fever or elevated temperature).
Scuffs and ulcers where the product comes into contact with the skin.

We sew the blanket ourselves

In this case, light natural cotton fabrics are suitable. This material allows air to pass through well and is quite durable. A light color will always indicate the presence of dirt.

Next you need to make a pattern on paper and transfer it to fabric. It will be easier to use the pattern layout and change the measurements to your own. Leave a margin of 1 cm for the space between the edges for stitching.

It is advisable to make a double bandage for the cat after surgery. To do this, fold the fabric with the wrong side facing out. During the stitching process, leave a small section through which you will then turn the product inside out and stitch it.

If you cannot finish the edges, you can fold them twice. Make sure that the fabric does not fray and the threads do not stick out. If a thread gets into a seam, it can cause suppuration. You can take the braid, trim the edges with it and leave some extra for the ties.

Next, we sew on the ties, or better yet, stitch them together. Take plenty of material, durable and wide, so it won’t put pressure on your pet. A cat blanket should fit perfectly to the body. We recommend making a replacement version immediately.

The main advantage of such a postoperative bandage for cats is reliability, because it is sewn to individual measurements.

Is a blanket always necessary?

The need for a blanket primarily depends on the nature of the surgical operation

Answer: not always! For example, after sterilizing a cat using laparoscopy, you can do without a bandage, because in this case there is no suture, and the reproductive organs are removed through a puncture. You can also do without a blanket if the surgeon used subcutaneous sutures. For their speedy healing, it is necessary that the skin is constantly open and “breathing”. The bandage is always put on the animal after sterilization along the white line, after abdominal operations and operations on the mammary glands.

We have already mentioned the owners who do not understand the need to wear a bandage and allow their pet to walk without a blanket. But let's look in detail at what negative consequences early withdrawal threatens.

Dehiscence of sutures due to licking or gnawing of surgical threads.
External and internal bleeding.
Inflammation and suppuration of the wound.

All these troubles can overtake your pet immediately, or over the next few days after the cat is freed from the device that was causing inconvenience. You need to understand that if you allow your pet to walk without a blanket, then you will no longer be able to make claims or count on medical care, which many veterinary clinics provide under warranty.

How many layers of material are needed?

It is best to sew a bandage yourself using three layers of fabric:

the top one should be decorative or waterproof;
the middle one needs to be made of warm or soft fabrics, it will have a warming function;
the inner layer will adhere to the cat's body. It is best made using flannel or knitwear.

The best option for a blanket after sterilization for a cat is two or three layers, stitched edges and tie strips. To make the bandage as durable as possible, it is better to sew it yourself using cotton.

The ties need to be made longer, and when you try the blanket on the cat, remove the excess from them. This is necessary so that the animal does not get entangled in them. Determine the location of the cat's paws immediately so as not to disturb her with fitting. If after sterilization there are wounds on the animal’s body, then a bandage based on several layers should be placed under the blanket.

A cat removes its blanket after sterilization: what to do

if the animal constantly removes the blanket or does not allow it to be put on, it is recommended to use a cat collar

What to do if the cat tries to free itself from the blanket, although the wearing period has not yet expired? It is not surprising that the animal tries to remove the blanket, because the pet is not used to having something on its body. In addition, the pain of the sutures encourages the animal not to give up trying to get to the problem area. It is obvious that the blanket causes discomfort to your pet, but this should in no case be a reason to remove it before the wound has completely healed.

To prevent the cat from trying to remove the bandage, you can temporarily place the purr in a carrier or basket. By limiting your pet's movement, you will prevent him from trying to get rid of the medical device. It happens that the cat still manages to remove the bandage on its own. Most often this happens in the first four days after sterilization, since subsequently the animal gets used to it and behaves much calmer. If this happens, you need to check the seams for possible bleeding, purulent discharge or inflammation; if the external picture is encouraging, you need to immediately fix the product again following the instructions. It is possible that the blanket was tied incorrectly or too loosely.

If the cat is constantly freed from the blanket or does not allow it to be put on, it is recommended to use the so-called “Elizabethan collar” - this is a design that allows you to limit the mobility of the head and effectively prevents the removal of the blanket.

General information and purpose

Before we talk about how to tie a bandage on a cat, let's understand what it is and what functions it performs. In simple terms, a blanket is a special “cover” that is put on the animal’s stomach and tightened tightly.

It simultaneously performs the following tasks:

prevents infection and pathogenic microorganisms from entering an open wound;
prevents the cat from tearing the seam and licking the abdominal area, which is trying to speed up the healing process, which in practice leads to the completely opposite result;
After sterilization of cats has been carried out, the bandage helps to increase muscle tone and prevents sagging of the abdomen.

Thus, applying a blanket plays a very important role, since it allows you to avoid the development of many negative consequences.

Determining the method of fixing the blanket

After the bandage is ready, you need to think about how you will attach it to the animal's body. As a rule, the two most commonly used options are ribbons and Velcro, but which one is better and more practical? It is difficult to give any specific recommendations, since everything here depends on the individual preferences of a particular person. So that you can decide on the method of fixing the blanket, let's look at the main pros and cons of each of them.

Advantages of ties:

they can be made of any material;
easy to sew;
provide good fixation.

Disadvantages of ties:

may cling to surrounding objects;
A tightly tightened knot is difficult to untie.

Pros of Velcro:

comfortable and practical;
are small in size.

Disadvantages of Velcro:

require additional cash costs;
quickly get dirty, as a result of which they lose their quality;
your pet can learn to unfasten them.

When deciding on the method of fixing the blanket, carefully weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, and choose the best option for yourself.

Types of blankets

There are the following types of blankets:

insulating;
domestic;
postoperative.

Warming products protect animals from freezing during the cold season.

They are often purchased for hairless and short-haired cat breeds. There are also rain blankets designed to protect pets from cold winds, protect their fur from sticking dirt and getting wet in rainy weather.

Home blankets are used for hygienic purposes.

These products are made from natural fabrics that absorb sweat well. Wearing such a product protects the furniture on which the cat likes to rest from stains and stains. It is recommended to change such blankets 2 times a week.

A postoperative bandage is used during the postoperative period.

It protects the seams from scratching by animals and secures drainage bandages. Often this version of the blanket is used for allergies to fix bandages that are applied during the treatment of skin diseases.

Pet stores have a large selection of blankets. All products are made from environmentally friendly non-woven materials, which are highly durable and resistant to damage. Thanks to this, the pet will not be able to scratch the bandage worn on it.

The classic blanket model (with ties) is in great demand. It looks like a rectangular piece of material with cutouts for paws. 7 pairs of ties are sewn to the fabric. Three of them are located in the central part, 2 are sewn behind the cutouts for the front paws and the last 2 are fixed perpendicular to the ties located in the middle of the back of the bandage.

Bandages with Velcro are more expensive compared to models with ties. The advantage of this model is the ease of putting on and taking off the product.

Before tying a blanket on your cat, it is recommended to practice doing it without her participation. To avoid injury to the seams, the blanket must be removed and put on carefully.

Before buying a bandage, you need to familiarize yourself with the following requirements for it:

It must be the right size. Slipping of the product and restricting the animal’s movements is unacceptable.
The product should not interfere with the animal’s ability to empty its bladder and bowels.
The bandage must be made of high-quality breathable and tear-resistant materials.