Clothes for cats, which ones are suitable for indoors and outdoors, what are the nuances?

Whim or necessity

Sometimes, while on the street, you can see a pet in some beautiful overalls or dress. And there's nothing wrong with that. Maybe the owner has a desire to make his pet more attractive. There are breeds of cats that simply need to wear extra clothing to stay warm. A tight-fitting overall 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 his pet can be caused by several reasons. In most cases, clothing on an animal solves some problem and makes the pet’s existence easier. For example, short-haired or hairless cats get very cold even in warm weather. If the animal has suffered damage to the skin, medicine is applied to these places, and protective clothing is worn to prevent the cat from licking the wounds. The wardrobe prevents medicine from entering the body and helps you recover faster.

There are times when clothes are used to stand out in the crowd, showing off a rather expensive piece of your animal’s wardrobe. The fashion for clothes for cats does not stand still; every year new styles and combinations appear, on which you need to spend a lot of money.

Modern fashionistas refuse the assortment of clothing 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, do not stop and purchase jewelry for the cat. After all, a fashionably and richly dressed fluffy cat is a sign of the well-being of its owner.

So it turns out: for some, clothing is a necessity, while for others it is an opportunity to stand out in society. And the fashion industry is developing and thriving, bringing huge profits.

Is fashion important?

Although cat clothing is used for protection and warmth, most pet owners choose to dress their cats because they look cute and fashionable. Seeing your cat dressed in funny and cute clothes is enough to make you smile, no matter how bad your day is. However, when choosing clothes for your animal initially, pay attention to the comfort and convenience of the clothing. If the animal is dressed in an uncomfortable but trendy suit, the pet will be irritated and not at all grateful to you for it.

Material requirements

The coat of most cats keeps them warm even in severe frosts. But there are breeds that simply cannot do without warm clothing, for example, Sphynxes. If it's cold outside and the heating hasn't been turned on in the house yet, your cat may catch a cold and get sick. A cold floor also negatively affects the health of the animal. Even an adult can get sick from hypothermia, but the kitten of a hairless cat especially suffers. In such cases, warm overalls and socks for the paws are suitable for your pet.

Cats are very picky animals, so not every clothing may be suitable. The choice is influenced by the cats' ability to move quickly, jump and lead an active lifestyle. The cat should feel free, nothing should hinder its movements, so as not to lead to injury to the animal.

Clothes are made from materials that are not electrified and do not make rustling sounds. Otherwise, it will interfere and alarm the animal. The most commonly used fabrics are:

Wool - mohair, angora or knitted wool 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 has high wear resistance;
Cotton and 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 can shrink after washing;
Synthetic fabrics - suitable only for photo shoots or public appearances. Daily wear of synthetic clothing can cause allergies, and it is also poorly breathable;
Mixed materials - have the best qualities of natural fibers and synthetics. They are soft, easy to wash, and hold color well.

The top outfit is duplicated with padding polyester. It holds its shape perfectly, is lightweight and washes well in the washing machine. Bolognese fabric, raincoat fabric or any material with moisture-repellent properties can be used as the top layer.

Such clothes protect against overheating and serve as good insulation in winter. It is suitable for cats without hair, especially Sphynx cats. Everyday outfits should be practical and comfortable. And if they have zippers, then when fastening them you need to watch carefully so that the wool does not get into it.

You cannot keep a cat in clothes for a long time, this can lead to overheating of the skin and will not allow you to perform personal hygiene.

Materials for manufacturing are selected according to the following criteria:

The fabric must have high strength. While wearing outerwear, the cat may get caught in it on sharp corners or its claws. Fragile fabric or large knitting may deteriorate;
Material that restricts the animal's movements causes discomfort. The model chosen is light and elastic, but not too loose, so that the cat does not get confused and injured;
The fabric should be easy to clean from dirt and wash;
The material itself 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 its purpose. Little tomboys grow quickly, and after a while you will no longer need purchased clothes for kittens made from expensive fabric.

Carnival kitten costume with ears and tail

A kitten's carnival costume must include charming ears and a long tail! We suggest you sew a comfortable hat with ears and mittens, as well as a top with a tail. With the help of our pattern and detailed instructions, you will sew a kitten carnival costume in just one evening!

Kitten carnival costume: material, size and how to complement the look

Fleece is a lightweight and comfortable material to wear, it breathes well and washes well. In addition, it does not require processing of cuts and therefore it is a pleasure to sew with it! The hat, mittens, top and tail are made of black fleece. In order to determine the amount of fabric, you need to measure the width of your shoulders and choose the length of the top. You will need a piece of fleece with a length equal to twice the desired length of the top + 10 cm and a width equal to the width of your shoulders.

The hat pattern is designed for a head with a girth of 55-56 cm. This size can be suitable for both children and adults. If you need a hat for your head with a girth of 53-54 cm, you can cut out the details of the hat without seam allowances.

Print out the pattern and lay it out on the table. Measure the area occupied and add to the size of the cut for the top.

Decide on the desired length of the mitts. Our model is made as an analogue of short gloves, but you can sew them to any length. Measure the circumference of your palm at the widest part, under the four fingers. Draw a rectangle that has a width equal to the circumference of the palm and a length equal to the desired length of the mitts. Add the resulting pattern in double size to the total cut size for the top and hat and add 10 cm of length for the tail.

The best styles

Modern manufacturers of cat products offer the following types of clothing for these furry creatures:

overalls, which are suitable for damp and cool weather and look like a one-piece cover with slots for the limbs, head of the animal and its tail;
jacket - covers the front part of the body, also warms the cat in a cool room or walking outside;
sweater, vest, blanket - intended for home and walks in the warm season;
a light shirt or pajamas - more suitable for summer and protects 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;
body-anti-sex - the name speaks for itself: it does not allow the cat to “take over” the 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 hats and accessories for paws, in which cats pose at photo shoots and exhibitions.

For many of these items you have to pay a tidy sum, therefore, housewives do not buy, but sew or crochet beautiful vests, hats and warm socks. Products knitted in this way are exclusive and interesting. You can knit summer options with lace or autumn-spring denser patterns. Depending on the thickness of the hook, clothing models for cats and patterns for 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 clearly think through how the additional details of the clothing will be located so that the animal does not get entangled in them and moves 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 knowledge of sewing, the easiest option to keep your pet warm is a warm cotton sock. All you need to do is take a sock and cut small holes in it for the paws and head. Next, put the resulting product on the 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 reserve a few centimeters.

Of all the existing models, there are several types of the best samples:

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 become electrified. Easy to clean, fleece prevents the product from stretching and shrinking after washing;
Fur-based vests are the favorite clothes of sphinxes. The surface of the product is treated with water-repellent impregnation, and the faux fur retains body heat and prevents the cat from getting too cold;
Plush sweatshirt - clothing for hairless cats and short-haired breeds: Peterbalds, Bambinas, Cornish Rexes, Britons. Absorbs moisture, warms the body well, does not fade under the influence of ultraviolet rays, withstands numerous washings and does not fade;
Terry robes of various styles are a convenient accessory after bathing;
T-shirts - protect outdoors from the scorching sun and various parasites;
Winter types of sheepskin coats - products made from 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 fashion trend, the so-called cat print - cats are depicted on clothes in the form of a three-dimensional pattern. These T-shirts and sweaters look very nice.

Variety of species

There are many such robes offered, and the most popular of them are:

one-piece overalls with recesses for the head, paws and tail. The most suitable option for maintaining heat;
jackets of autumn-winter style, covering most of the body;
sweaters and vests. Many people knit them on their own; there are a lot of patterns posted online;
light T-shirts, pajamas and shirts, which are worn in spring and summer (at this time ticks are active);
Among the “accessories” for tailed fashionistas, it is worth highlighting hats, blankets and socks.

As you can see, there is no shortage of clothes. The stores offer sets of different sizes, including clothes for kittens. You can do it yourself by sewing a “suit” or knitting a sweater, based on the “dimensions” of your pet.

How to train a cat to wear clothes

Not every cat likes having clothes pulled on it. 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 items of clothing; they try to get rid of them - they pull them off with teeth and claws. It may not be possible to come up and calm her down by picking her up right away; you need to wait time for her to come to her senses and attract her with something tasty.

It is best to train cats to wear clothes at a young age, while they are still kittens. First, a knitted item is put on without any accessories: sweaters, overalls. Let the kitten spend some time in clothes at home - this is his territory and here he will behave more calmly. The item must be selected so that it does not dangle and does not hamper the movement of the animal.

But what if the cat has already reached a certain age? How to accustom a cat to clothes? We must be patient. First, you need to put on the clothes for a short time, being kind and affectionately stroking the cat. It is necessary to repeat the procedure several times daily so that she begins to get used to the clothes. If a cat tries to take off her outfit, you should not resist, but you need to help him get rid of his clothes. It all depends on the beauty’s mood. If there is no result, then you should try applying a few drops of valerian to your clothes.

Sooner or later, the efforts will not be in vain - the cat will get used to the outfits and will calmly treat them during a walk.

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 find 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 of children and adults. The choice of costumes is huge - from a hat with a bow around the neck to chic Santa short fur coats.

A carnival outfit, like other clothes for a cat, should be comfortable. A pet should not look ridiculous in it.

Costumes are sold ready-made, but they can be expensive, so there is nothing difficult in sewing a New Year's outfit with your own hands. You need to have the desire and have a little patience. Knowledge of the basic basics of cutting and sewing will help you create a brilliant and unforgettable outfit. When making it, you need to take into account the cat's temperament. If she is of a sophisticated nature, then it is better to choose a princess or fairy ball gown. And vice versa, with mischievous and eccentric behavior, they sew a pig or chicken costume. As a result, the costume may not match the original, but that's even better. You won't find such things anywhere else!

When the outfit is ready, you must take a photo with your pet as a souvenir. Cats in New Year's themed clothes look so funny and funny. Each family member, especially children, receives gifts on this night. New Year for a cat is also no exception. The most long-awaited gift is a delicious treat. It must be prepared in advance and not served from the holiday table.

DIY horse or how to sew a symbol of 2014

A DIY horse is not only a cute soft toy! The horse is the symbol of 2014! Let's make cute New Year's souvenirs together and get into the good graces of the hostess of the coming year)

Fabric horse

Everything you need to create this toy can probably be found in the bins of any needlewoman:

Cotton fabric (two colors) - base
Holofiber - filler
Color matching threads
Wool - for the tail and mane
Buttons - fastenings for legs
Beads - eyes
Paper
Scissors
Needles and pins
Fabric marker (chalk)

We print this pattern on paper and transfer all the elements except the ears (we will return to them later) onto fabric folded in half.

Please note that there is only one piece for the legs, but for convenience when cutting, you can make 4 identical patterns.

Before cutting, we sew all the details, first of all, the dart on the head.

After making a small allowance, we cut out all the details. Then we make small cuts along the allowance in the places where the curves are rounded.

We turn the parts inside out and start stuffing them with holofiber. You don’t need to make your horse too dense with your own hands, but don’t skimp on the filler either.

After this, we sew up all the holes with a hidden seam.

Using buttons we attach the horse's legs.

The next step is to give our toy a mane. Let's wind the prepared yarn onto a piece of some small cardboard.

Next, the thread must be cut on one side. Then we lay out the threads on paper and stitch them in the middle. We remove the paper very carefully.

Sew the mane along the seam on the horse's head.

For the tail, we repeat the algorithm with the mane, only this time you don’t need to cut anything. We make a kind of tassel and sew it on the back. The DIY horse is almost ready.