Quick & Easy DIY Cat Onesie (For Over-Grooming Kitties)

While I don't believe putting your cat in a onesie is a long-term solution for over-grooming, I've definitely found there are times when it can help, and save you BOTH a little sanity.

Since I first posted pics of Lily in a hastily-modified baby onesie almost two years ago, I've had a bunch of requests for a tutorial.

This was Lily less than 10 minutes after being put in her first onesie.

This is a ridiculously easy DIY (all you need are scissors!), so here's a quick rundown, plus instructions for putting it on your cat when you're done.

First, find the smallest zipper onesie you can:

The zipper is very important; I've tried one with snaps before, and they just don't work. (You cat can get a leg through the gaps.)

Lily is quite small and only weighs about 9 pounds, but the 0-3 month size is still pretty big on her:

 So if you have a tiny cat, look for a preemie size. Otherwise, this one should be fine for up to a 15 pound kitty, easy.

Once you have your onesie, check to see if it has a stitched zipper catch on the leg:

This prevents the zipper from going too far down. If your onesie *doesn't* have one, you'll need to stitch one on yourself. Nothing fancy; just run the thread around 6 or 8 times.

Now cut off the onesie feet BELOW that stitch line. 

I cut mine pretty short, so feel free to leave more on if you want more coverage on the back legs. (And you can always trim off more later.)

Now, with the zipper side up, cut a small slit on the left side of the zipper, just above the crotch. (You don't need to cut it quite as far up as mine.)  Make sure you only cut through the top layer of fabric.

Flip the onesie over, and continue that cut through the crotch and up the back side, like this:

Now cut out a square or triangular shape, like this:

Since the onesie goes on your cat backwards, this is actually the belly side, so that flap is how much of your cat's belly you want exposed. I advise starting with a much smaller amount, since you can always trim off more later. (I did this in a hurry, so it's far from perfect.)

Flip the onesie back over, and it should look something like this:

And here's the back again - which will be the front on your cat:

You can cut the sleeves shorter, if you like, but I prefer to just roll them up. That way you can extend them if your cat tends to over-groom her arms, like Lily.

And that's it!

So you've got a cat onesie. 

Now how do you get the cat in it?

If you have a relatively mellow cat, this is quite easy. I've put onesies on Lily by myself many times, but for the sake of the photos, I'll have John assisting.

First, lay your cat on her back on the back of a recliner or couch (or anything padded)  - or have someone hold her on her back, like this:

Start by sticking her back legs through the leg holes,

 ...  then carefully pull her tail through the crotch slit. 

Next stick her front paws through the arms:

 

Now, with a firm grip on either side of the onesie edges, flip your kitty over and set her on a table:

Don't drop those edges!

Don't worry; she'll forgive you. 

...eventually.

Now button the neck snap, and zip up the back. Stick your hand in there, though, to prevent the zip from catching any fur:

When you're done, the back should look like this:

This one makes Lily's legs look ridiculously short:

 Hee!

I had a hard time getting a picture of the back while she was standing, so John decided to help:

 Thanks, John. 

As you can see, though, her belly is exposed through to the top of the tail, which means she can visit the litter box without any fabric getting in the way.

 

Which reminds me: because the onesie goes around the back legs, expect your kitty to walk a little funny for a while. ("Have those cameras ready, sports fans!") And if you have a high-walled litter box, odds are she'll be reluctant to step over it, so watch out for "accidents"!  
(Ask me how I know. >.<)

But how do you stay mad at DAT FACE?

So, yeah, just to be safe I recommend taking the onesie off your cat for a few hours, at least once a day. We've been alternating with an inflatable collar or a Thunder Shirt, which works since Lily's hot spot is on her back this time:

(In the past her bad spot was always on a leg, so the Shirt didn't help.)

If your cat's problem area can be covered by a Thundershirt , then I highly recommend it. They run very small, though, so if your cat has a big belly, it may not fit.

I don't think the Thunder Shirt has helped with Lily's over-grooming (she just licks it, too), but at least she seems a little happier/more active in it versus the collar or the onesie.

And finally, I realize there are many, MANY treatments for over-grooming, so rest assured that John and I have tried almost all of them. We believe Lily's is mostly caused by a poultry allergy, but a stressful clinic stay seems to be the culprit for this latest flare-up.

All that to say: please don't mistake this DIY as a health recommendation for your own pets. It's just a tool I've found useful on occasion, like when we're waiting for new allergy meds to kick in, or trying to get an especially bad spot to heal. I hope it helps some of you, too.

Here's to healthy kitties!

*****

Come see ALL of my craft projects on one page, right here!