How to Choose a Medical Recovery Shirt or Sleeve for Dogs and Cats
This guide covers medical recovery clothing — not fashion apparel. If you’re looking for a calm, cone-free recovery for your dog or cat in South Africa, you’re in the right place.
By Gavin Levenstein • Updated 13 May 2025
Quick links:
- Shop Recovery Shirts for Dogs ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product-category/medical-recovery/suitical-at-home-recovery/
- Shop Cat Recovery Suits ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product-category/medical-recovery/suitical-at-home-recovery/
- Shop Front-Leg Sleeves ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product-category/medical-recovery/mps-vet-recovery/
- See Sizing Guide ? https://www.tailme.co.za/size-guide/
Pet shirts, sleeves and medical apparel are quite new — especially in South Africa — so how do you know which one to choose? We believe the most effective recovery shirts and sleeves combine superb comfort and fit with clinic-level quality and real value, giving your pet the protection they need without the stress of a cone.
When to use a recovery garment
A medical recovery shirt or sleeve helps when you need reliable, breathable coverage to stop licking, scratching or nibbling:
- After spay/neuter and other soft-tissue surgeries
- TPLO/CCL and other ortho procedures (use sleeves vs full suit as advised by your vet)
- Hot spots, dermatitis and lick granulomas
- Stitches, abrasions, drain sites and low-irritation protection
- IV/catheter sites and bandage hold-ups
- Hind-leg wounds where a cone simply doesn’t block access
Always follow your vet’s advice for your pet’s specific case.
Why choose a recovery suit instead of a cone?
The right garment is a calm, practical alternative to the cone of shame:
- Less stress, more normal life: Pets can eat, sleep, groom and navigate the house without bumping into things. Many vets report calmer patients and better compliance than with hard cones (see RSPCA post-op advice below).
- Better coverage: A suit or sleeve protects the exact area that needs shielding — not your pet’s entire head.
- Breathable comfort: Quality blends (like cotton/lycra) and mesh zones help regulate temperature, important in South African heat.
- Potty-friendly design: Smart panels and snap systems allow toileting without full removal.
- Encourages gentle movement: Walking comfortably reduces anxiety and supports healthy recovery.
Vet-approved materials and design features
Making pets comfortable after a painful injury or surgery is a top priority, so fabric, fit and fastenings matter. When sourcing our range, we looked for:
- Co-developed with veterinarians to maximise comfort and healing
- Pet-safe, non-toxic materials
- Breathable, stretch fabrics that won’t easily tear and are hard to chew
- Smart, secure closures that sit flat and don’t irritate the skin
- Thoughtful ‘hold-up’ systems for walks and toileting
- Professional patterning for a snug, reassuring (anxiety-calming) fit
- Machine-washable durability that lasts more than one recovery
Quality checks: Our chosen Suitical (At Home) and MPS (Veterinary Range) garments undergo multiple quality checks from manufacturing to delivery.
How to measure and size your pet
Getting the size right is half the battle. A good fit protects the wound and keeps your pet relaxed.
- Back length: From the base of the neck to the base of the tail.
- Chest girth: Around the widest part of the chest behind the front legs.
- Neck: Around the base of the neck where a collar sits.
- Weight check: Use weight as a tie-breaker if between sizes.
Pro tips:
- Between sizes? For dogs, choose the size that matches chest first; for cats, a closer fit usually works best.
- Male dogs: Many recovery suits include a fold-back or snap-away panel for easy peeing. Practice the panel once with treats so it becomes routine.
See the full Size Guide ? https://www.tailme.co.za/size-guide/
Toileting, walking, and daily comfort
- Potty time: Use the built-in flap/snap panel for male dogs; for female dogs and cats, simply unzip or fold back the area as shown in the instructions. Suits are litter-tray friendly for most cats.
- Walks: The hold-up system keeps fabric clear of legs so your pet can move freely on lead or around the house.
- Sleep: Soft seams and flat fasteners mean your pet can comfortably sleep in the garment at night.
Washing, reusability, and lifespan
- Wash on a gentle cycle (cold to 30°C). Fasten closures before washing. Air dry.
- Keep two on hand if possible, so one can be worn while the other dries.
- Reusable for future procedures, making it more eco-friendly than disposable bandaging or replacing broken cones.
Suitical vs MPS: which is right for your pet?
Both brands are trusted globally — here’s how to pick:
- Suitical (At Home)
– Everyday comfort with breathable, soft fabrics – Great for cats and most dogs after spay/neuter or soft-tissue surgery – Range includes: Cat Recovery Suit, Dog Recovery Suit, Single/Double Front-Leg Sleeves, Hind-Leg Sleeves – Shop Suitical ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product-category/medical-recovery/suitical-at-home-recovery/
- MPS (Veterinary Range)
– Clinic-grade durability and reinforcement for heavier use – Useful for determined lickers or more active dogs – Range includes: Veterinary Shirt 4-in-1, Single/Double Front-Leg Sleeves, Hind-Leg Sleeves, Head Cover, Medical Recovery Boot – Shop MPS ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product-category/medical-recovery/mps-vet-recovery/
Not sure? Send us your pet’s measurements and a photo to Support — we’ll help you size and choose.
Choose your solution
- Full Recovery Suit (Dog/Cat): Max coverage for abdominal or thoracic incisions and hotspots. Shop Dog Recovery Suit ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product-category/medical-recovery/suitical-at-home-recovery/ | Shop Cat Recovery Suit ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product-category/medical-recovery/suitical-at-home-recovery/
- Single Front-Leg Sleeve: For wounds/bandages on one foreleg. Shop Front-Leg Sleeve ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product-category/medical-recovery/mps-vet-recovery/
- Double Front-Leg Sleeves: For bilateral issues or added symmetry/comfort. Shop Double Sleeves ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product-category/medical-recovery/suitical-at-home-recovery/
- Hind-Leg Sleeves: For rear-leg surgeries, hotspots or lick granulomas. Shop Hind-Leg Sleeves ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product-category/medical-recovery/mps-vet-recovery/
- Head Cover: For ear/cranial protection when a cone isn’t tolerated. Shop Head Cover ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product-category/medical-recovery/mps-vet-recovery/
- Recovery Boot: Keeps dressings dry and clean on walks. Shop Recovery Boot ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product-category/medical-recovery/mps-vet-recovery/
- Feeling the heat? Pair with the Dry Cooling Vest during heatwaves. Shop Cooling Vest ? https://www.tailme.co.za/product/suitical-at-home-dry-cooling-vest/
Real voices from SA pet parents
- Thuli & Nala (Cape Town): ‘Our cat wouldn’t tolerate the cone after her spay. The Suitical Cat Suit kept her calm and she used the litter tray as normal.’
- Jaco & Bruno (Johannesburg): ‘After TPLO, the MPS sleeve stayed put on Bruno’s front leg bandage. Walks were easier and he stopped fussing.’
- Ruth & Milo (Durban): ‘Two shirts meant we could wash one daily. No more crashing into furniture with a cone.’
Delivery and returns (South Africa)
- Fast delivery: 2–4 working days nationwide
- Easy exchanges on sizes
- Secure online payment and trusted courier partners
Helpful reads:
- From a cone to a recovery shirt ? https://www.tailme.co.za/from-a-cone-to-a-recovery-shirt/
- Why cats hate cones (and what to do instead) ? https://www.tailme.co.za/why-cats-hate-cones/
- Helping wounds heal naturally with barrier garments ? https://www.tailme.co.za/helping-wounds-heal-naturally-with-barrier-garments/
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FAQs: after spay/neuter, licking and timing
Q: Can my dog or cat pee and poop while wearing a recovery suit? A: Yes. Most suits have a fold-back or snap-away panel. Practice once calmly so your pet is confident using it.
Q: How long should my pet wear a recovery shirt after surgery? A: Typically 10–14 days (until stitches are out and the site is fully closed), but always follow your vet’s timeline.
Q: How do I measure for the right size? A: Measure back length, chest girth and neck, then check weight as a tie-breaker. See Size Guide ? https://www.tailme.co.za/size-guide/
Q: Can my pet sleep in the suit at night? A: Yes. Soft seams and breathable fabric are designed for all-day and overnight wear.
Q: Is a recovery shirt better than a cone for healing? A: Many pets experience less stress and better day-to-day comfort. The best choice depends on wound location and your vet’s advice; sometimes a suit plus supervision is ideal.
Q: How do I wash and dry the suit? How many do I need? A: Gentle cycle (cold–30°C), fasten closures, air dry. One to wear and one to wash is the easiest routine.
Q: Suitical vs MPS — what’s the difference? A: Suitical focuses on home-use comfort and breathability; MPS is a clinic-grade range with added reinforcement. Both are vet-approved and washable.
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Sources and care guidance:
- RSPCA: Post-operative care for pets ? https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/afteroperation
- WSAVA Global Pain Council Guidelines ? https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/global-pain-council-guidelines/
Author: Gavin Levenstein Need help sizing or choosing? Contact Support ? https://www.tailme.co.za/support/
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Notes for clarity:
- This article focuses on medical recovery shirts/suits and sleeves — not fashion apparel.
- Prices shown across the site are in ZAR and products ship within South Africa.
