Pressure-applying animal garment

Abstract

A garment to reduce an animal's anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof. The garment may include a central portion and first, second, and third flaps. The first and second flaps extend from opposite sides of the central portion and the third flap extends from a central, inner surface area of the central portion. The inner surface is configured to be proximate to the animal's body. The flaps are configured to extend around the animal's mid-body such that the central portion and flaps form a shape conforming to the outside of the animal's mid-body. The third flap may be between the central portion, the second flap, or a combination thereof and the animal's body. The garment may apply pressure to the animal adequate to reduce anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof in the animal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment for an animal having a body including a neck and a mid-body between a first pair of appendages and a second pair of appendages, the garment comprising:
 a central portion having a longitudinal axis and a front end, a first side extending laterally in a first direction from the longitudinal axis, and a second side extending laterally in a second direction from the longitudinal axis, the second direction opposite the first direction;   a first flap extending from the first side of the central portion;   a second flap extending from the second side of the central portion; and a third flap having a proximal end and a free distal end,   
       wherein each of the central portion, first flap, second flap, and third flap have an inner surface adapted to be proximate to the animal's body and an outer surface adapted to face away from the animal's body, the third flap extending from the inner surface of the central portion, the first flap, or the second flap where the proximal end is attached, and 
       wherein the flaps are adapted to extend around the animal's mid-body such that the central portion and the flaps form a shape conforming to the outside of the animal's mid-body. 
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the third flap is configured to be at least in part between the inner surface of the central portion, the second flap, or a combination thereof and the animal's body. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment applies pressure to the animal adequate to reduce anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof in the animal. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the first flap and the third flap are configured to fasten together to form a sleeve around the animal's mid-body, and wherein the second flap is adapted to extend at least partially around the sleeve and to fasten to the central portion, the first flap, or a combination thereof to further tighten the garment to apply pressure to the animal. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 4 , wherein the third flap extends from its proximal end at the central portion inner surface proximate to the longitudinal axis of the central portion. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion, the first flap, and the second flap are made of a fabric that when stretched provides resiliency adequate to reduce anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof in the animal. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment comprises a fabric including from approximately 5% to 25% spandex. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment comprises a fabric including approximately 10% spandex, 55% cotton, and 35% polyester. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the second flap is configured to conceal the third flap. 
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein mating fasteners are provided on the outer surface of the third flap and the inner surface of the first flap, and mating fasteners are provided on the inner surface of the second flap and the outer surface of the first flap. 
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the central portion has a front end adapted to be positioned proximate to the head of the animal, and a rear end opposite the front end, and further comprising a pair of straps extending from the front end of the central portion in spaced relation, wherein the straps are adapted to extend around the animal's neck and fasten to each other. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 11 , wherein the pair of straps comprises a first strap and a second strap, wherein each strap has an inside surface adapted to contact the animal, an outside surface adapted to face away from the animal, and a free end, wherein the straps fasten to each other with hook and loop fasteners, wherein the inside surface of the first strap includes a hook section of fastener and a loop section of fastener, and wherein the outside surface of the second strap includes a hook section of fastener and a loop section of fastener. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein the hook section of fastener on the inside surface of the first strap is interposed between the free end of the first strap and the loop section of fastener on the inside surface of the first strap, and wherein the hook section of fastener on the outside surface of the second strap is interposed between the free end of the second strap and the loop section of fastener on the outside surface of the first strap. 
     
     
         14 . A garment for an animal having a first pair of appendages and a second pair of appendages, the animal having a mid-body between the first pair of appendages and the second pair of appendages, the garment comprising:
 a central portion having a longitudinal axis and a front end, a first side extending laterally in a first direction from the longitudinal axis, and a second side extending laterally in a second direction from the longitudinal axis, the second direction opposite the first direction; and   means for operatively connecting the first side of the central portion and the central portion proximate to the longitudinal axis together around the animal to form a sleeve; and   means for tightening the garment.   
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 14 , wherein the means for tightening the garment include means for operatively connecting the first side and second side of the central portion around the animal. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 14 , where the means for tightening the garment are configured to substantially conceal the means for operatively connecting the means for operatively connecting the first side of the central portion and the central portion proximate to the longitudinal axis together. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 14 , wherein the garment applies pressure to the animal adequate to reduce anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof in the animal. 
     
     
         18 . A method of reducing anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof, in an animal, the animal having a body including a neck and a mid-body between a first pair of appendages and a second pair of appendages, the method comprising:
 placing a garment on the mid-body of the animal, the garment including:
 a central portion having a longitudinal axis and a front end, a first side extending laterally in a first direction from the longitudinal axis, and a second side extending laterally in a second direction from the longitudinal axis, the second direction opposite the first direction; 
 a first flap extending from the first side of the central portion; 
 a second flap extending from the second side of the central portion; and 
 a third flap having a proximal end and a free distal end, 
 wherein each of the central portion, first flap, second flap, and third flap 
   have an inner surface adapted to be proximate to the animal's body and an outer surface adapted to face away from the animal's body, the third flap extending from the inner surface of the central portion, the first flap, or the second flap where the proximal end is attached;   wrapping the third flap under the animal's chest, stomach, or a combination thereof;   wrapping the first flap under the animal's chest, stomach, or a combination thereof to overlap the third flap;   securing the first flap to the third flap;   wrapping the second flap under the animal's chest, stomach, or a combination thereof to overlap the first flap; and   securing the second flap to the first flap.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein securing the first flap to the third flap and the second flap to the first flap causes the garment to apply pressure to the animal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the pressure is adequate to reduce anxiety, fearfulness, overexcitement, or a combination thereof in the animal. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the third flap extends from its proximal end at the central portion inner surface proximate to the longitudinal axis of the central portion.