How to Cut a T-Shirt for a Spayed Dog

Products designed to keep dogs from licking their stitches may seem at first glance like medieval torture devices. Made from hard plastic, cold metal or unforgiving starched fabric, these products serve a very real purpose, particularly for female dogs that have undergone ovariohysterectomies (spay surgeries). Spaying is a major surgery, albeit a routine one. Stitches ensure the surgical wounds heal properly and without complication. Keeping your dog from chewing these stitches after her spay is imperative to prevent infection and promote healing. Avoid barbaric-looking, uncomfortable deterrent aids like Elizabethan collars by refashioning a simple, comfortable cotton t-shirt to keep your dog from licking or clawing at her surgical sutures.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Marking pen
  • Scissors
  • T-shirt
  • Needle
  • Thread
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the circumference of your dog around her stomach at the tuck. The tuck is the area of the dog's body immediately following the chest, where the body narrows out. Divide this measurement in two. Measure the distance from the base of your dog's tail to the beginning of her tuck.

    • 2

      Turn the t-shirt inside out. Lay the t-shirt flat on your work surface. Smooth out any wrinkles. Align the seams of the shirt.

    • 3

      Measure the t-shirt, starting at the neckline. Measure out a length of shirt that matches the measurement of the dog from the base of her tail to the beginning of the tuck. Mark this spot using a pen or felt-tipped marker.

    • 4

      Cut cleanly across the torso of the t-shirt at this mark. Discard the cut bottom hem of the shirt.

    • 5

      Measure the width of the t-shirt. If the t-shirt width matches your dog's circumference divided by two, or is slightly smaller by a half inch or less, no further cutting is needed. If the shirt width is larger than your dog's circumference divided by two, further manipulation is needed to ensure a snug fit.

    • 6

      Mark the center point of the t-shirt using a felt-tipped marker or pen if the shirt needs further alteration. Further divide your dog's circumference by two. Measure out from the center point of the shirt using this measurement. Mark the spots on either side of the center mark. The three marks, from end to end, should measure equal to half the circumference of your dog.

    • 7

      Draw a line from these marks straight down, extending them onto the sleeves of the shirt.

    • 8

      Cut along the lines that extend from the marks to the sleeves. Discard the excess material.

    • 9

      Sew a line of stitching down both sides of the shirt. Preserve the neck opening, sleeve openings and torso opening of the shirt. Sew only to replace the discarded seams that you cut away from the shirt to make it smaller.

    • 10

      Turn the t-shirt right-side out and place the t-shirt on the dog's hind end, threading her back legs through the arm holes and her tail through the neck hole. Make further adjustments if needed.