Protective collar for cats: description and DIY production

When to use a collar

A therapy cap is used to prevent a kitten or adult cat from reaching certain parts of the body with their tongue (teeth). This is necessary in the following situations:

• rehabilitation after undergoing castration;
• postoperative period;
• antiparasitic disinfection of wool using chemicals;
• treatment of allergic skin rashes accompanied by unbearable itching.

This collar is also worn when trimming the nails of particularly aggressive representatives, or when bathing a pet (to prevent water from getting into the ears).

Thanks to this protection, sutures after any surgical intervention and wounds as a result of dermatitis heal faster, without causing any complications. And medications applied to the skin are absorbed better. Thanks to the veterinary collar, the risk of infection getting inside and poisoning the animal is minimized.

Sock blankets

This method is almost completely similar to that described above. To make a headband, you need to find a sock of the right size and cut off the front part of it so that you can put it on the animal’s body.

This blanket has the following advantages:

• large selection of socks sizes;
• low cost;
• high fabric strength;
• no bandages.

Among the disadvantages are:

• since there are no methods of fastening, the cat often removes such a bandage;
• Cheap socks are made from low-quality raw materials, so they tend to shed quickly, which can cause wound infection.

Thus, this method of swaddling animals that have undergone sterilization surgery cannot be called the best. Its only advantage is the low cost of the socks.

What to look for when choosing

The effectiveness of a protective collar depends primarily on the correctly selected model. To avoid mistakes, follow basic expert advice:

1. The height of the cone should be such that the cat is both comfortable and safe. Don’t take one that’s too high, but a short one isn’t an option either. In the first case, the cat will not have lateral vision, in the second, it will easily reach painful areas.
2. It's not worth saving. In the production of budget models, harmful materials with a specific odor are often used.
3. The tapered part of the collar adjacent to the neck should not be extremely elastic. There must be free space between the bandage and the animal's neck so that the finger can easily pass through. Close contact with the skin is fraught with the occurrence of an allergic reaction and breathing problems, and weak contact can lead to quick removal of the cap.
4. The prickly protrusions of the structure must be sealed with tape so that the animal does not get injured.
5. It is not advisable to buy products that are too large and heavy, even if they are visually attractive. Such structures complicate movement and prevent free vision.

It is important that the pet is not able to rip off the collar or break it.

Taking measurements for a pattern

To ensure that the cat bandage is practical to use and does not constantly fall off your four-legged friend, you need to correctly determine its size. Before sewing a blanket, you must first take measurements.

To develop your own pattern you will need the following information:

• chest volume;
• body length excluding tail;
• distance between paws.

Some felinologists also recommend taking into account the coverage of the limbs themselves in order to calculate the optimal length of the ties, but this can be done without this data. When you have completed all the measurements, they should be transferred to paper. In this case, you need to take a small supply, which will be used for cutting. As for the type of seam, there is no fundamental difference. You can use any one you are comfortable with.

Size chart of protective collars for cats - table

Ready-made barrier collar structures for animals are convenient because it is possible to choose the right size. To do this, first measure the diameter of your pet's neck. Then refer to the table:

What to do if the animal has learned to get rid of the blanket on its own?

Many people are interested in what to do if a cat removes the bandage after sterilization. At the same time, a similar problem occurs not only with “covers” made from improvised materials, but also with blankets sewn with your own hands from elastic and durable fabric that have ribbons or Velcro. In this case, one of the following methods will help:

• limitation of physical mobility;
• installation of a surgical collar;
• sedatives.

Giving medications is not recommended without first consulting a veterinarian. It is better to put your pet in a basket or a regular cardboard box. This will limit the cat's mobility, and she will no longer be able to remove the blanket.

Wearing rules and instructions for use

It’s not enough to put a collar on your cat; you also need to give it time to get used to the new accessory. At first, it is removed during feeding. During the period of injection therapy, the attribute is worn so that the clasp does not come into contact with the injection marks. From time to time it is necessary to give the “sick” a break - remove the protective collar for a short time, but make sure that the cat does not begin to lick itself at this time and do other forbidden manipulations.

It is advisable to have the protective collar put on by a specialist.

How to wear

If the veterinary clinic did not put on a collar, you will have to deal with it yourself. The main thing is to make sure that the E-collar is the right size - it will not squeeze or dangle freely. Therefore, first measure the circumference of the animal’s neck and compare it with the size of the accessory.

Before putting it on, calm your cat down with petting and gentle words. If she suddenly gets nervous, put off the attempt for a while - you can’t force her. It’s more convenient if someone helps you - hold you while you put on the collar.

Be sure to check from time to time that the cone is seated correctly. The pet may try to get rid of it and move it with its paw, which will cause discomfort to it.

How to put on a collar correctly

How much to wear

The recovery period after surgery or illness usually lasts no more than 1-2 weeks. This is provided that the cat does not touch the stitches and wounds. You should not allow the animal to lick them, which will delay the healing process.

Therefore, you need to wear a barrier collar for a different time in each case. This depends on a number of factors: the age of the animal, the characteristics of the body, the speed of recovery. The cap is removed only when the veterinarian allows it.

If the cat doesn’t get used to it and removes protection

There is no need to despair if your pet constantly tries to remove the collar. Adaptation takes some time - usually several days. If the rejection period is too long, make sure that no mistake was made on your part:

• the wrong size of the collar, which makes it easier to remove;
• the presence of prickly edges;
• lack of attention to the pet from the owner;
• incorrectly selected material that causes irritation to the pet (it rustles loudly, does not allow you to see what is happening around, etc.).

Find out the essence of the problem and try to solve it, then the cat will quickly get used to such equipment.

Homemade blanket at home

It is not at all necessary to buy a bandage for your cat after sterilization. You can make it with your own hands from various available materials. At the same time, you may not even have cutting and sewing skills.

Next, we will look at the most common options that will allow you to make a good bandage. And so that it does not become contaminated with ichor and always remains clean, you can put a regular sanitary pad, which will absorb all the secretions. However, in order to prevent the spread of pathogenic microflora, they should be changed every day.

In addition, it is recommended to periodically do air baths so that the wound can breathe. This contributes to a speedy recovery of the animal and its return to a normal lifestyle.

How to make such a product yourself

You can buy a rehabilitation bandage for your pet at a pet store, but commercially available models do not always fit the required parameters. Therefore, they often get out of the situation by making such a structure themselves. It’s not difficult to make, since you can use any available material and find patterns on the Internet.

Collar made of plastic

The lightweight plastic construction is no less reliable than a store-bought one. The work will require the following:

• an ordinary stationery folder or a bendable cutting board;
• tape (wide adhesive tape);
• stapler;
• soft fastener or Velcro.

Sequencing:

1. A pattern is made on an A4 sheet. To do this, you need to take two measurements: neck circumference and the distance from the nose to the shoulder area. On paper, two circles are drawn with a compass: a large one and a smaller one (the indent between them is equal to the value of measurement No. 2, and the diameter in the center is measurement No. 1). Do not forget to leave an extra allowance of up to 3 cm at the edges.
2. Using the finished paper pattern, a cone is cut out from the original material.
3. Try the resulting blank on the animal. Excess fabric is cut off.
4. The pointed edges are covered with tape.
5. Fix the fasteners along one edge of the product using a stapler.
6. Place the collar on the pet and fasten it.

Blank
Video instructions for production:

An alternative option could be a bottle made from a plastic bottle (usually a two-liter bottle is suitable).

Step by step process:

1. In the upper part of the bottle, find a place corresponding to the size of the animal’s neck circumference and outline it with a marker.
2. The required height of the bandage is measured from the marked line. The excess is cut off.
3. Make one incision vertically. On each side, along the edges, cuts are made for threading the cord (it will serve as a clasp).
4. All sharp edges are treated with a lighter (they will melt and will not be able to injure the cat).
5. Thread a string through the holes.
6. Try on the finished accessory on the pet.

A plastic bottle collar is the most budget option

Cardboard collar

In this case, you will need thicker cardboard. And the rest of the materials and tools will be the same as in the previous example.

A protective collar can be made from cardboard in a few minutes.

Sequence of steps:

1. Using the pattern (it is the same as when making a plastic collar), a blank is cut out of cardboard paper.
2. Roll into a funnel shape.
3. The loop fasteners can be cut separately and glued to one side of the cone. Another option is to make holes for lacing with an awl or attach Velcro.
4. Put the accessory on the cat and fix it in the way that was chosen. If there are no fasteners, then fasten the edges of the gate with tape or a stapler.

Video:

Fabric collar

The fabric collar does not put pressure on the animal’s neck

A textile neck bandage is considered the most comfortable for an animal. There is no particular strain when wearing it. Also, it does not cause any unpleasant sensations to the animal. It is sewn from natural fabric (linen, cotton).

The manufacturing process takes a minimum of time. It is enough to draw a pattern on the material and cut out the details. They are then sewn together.

Cutting the blank according to the pattern

Alternative manufacturing options

There are other interpretations of homemade windbreakers for the rehabilitation of pets. For example, you can use foam rubber. A ring is cut out of the sheet, no more than 2 cm thick and about 30 cm in diameter.

Beauty and benefit at the same time

Another alternative solution is to use a plastic plate. A hole is cut in the center corresponding to the diameter of the cat’s neck with an increase of one centimeter. The inside of the workpiece is covered with soft cloth. Place the product on the “patient” and fasten the edges with tape or another effective method.

A bandage made from a disposable plate is not a solution

It is important to understand that homemade collar models will not last long. Therefore, if possible, it is necessary to purchase a ready-made one in a store if long-term rehabilitation is expected.

Blanket from old children's clothes

If you still have unnecessary blouses or vests, then they are perfect for sewing a bandage for a cat. The main thing is to choose things that will fit well on the animal’s body without causing it any particular inconvenience. First, you will need to take measurements from your pet, and then sew a blanket using them on a sewing machine. And you also need to think about how it will be attached. To do this, you can provide ties, buttons or Velcro. This option has absolutely no disadvantages, but only one advantage, which is that you do not have to spend money on purchasing materials.

Dependence of price on material

And maximum comfort will be provided to your pet by the so-called Elizabethan or lifebuoy-shaped models made of non-woven materials or soft fabrics with padding made of padding polyester and an upper part with water-repellent impregnation. They are equipped with their own collars or the size is adjusted by tightening the thick cord.

And finally, the most expensive - inflatable rubber rings . They are reusable and can serve more than one generation of cats. Ideally comfortable while sleeping and when wearing them for a long time.

The simplest models are inexpensive compared to more complicated ones , consisting of several parts and layers, universal in size with the ability to be adjusted directly when put on the cat.