Sphynx Cat Long-Sleeve Cotton Top

A hairless cat loses heat the way we would with no clothes on, and burns through calories to replace it. In a British house in winter, that means a Sphynx will hunt out the radiator, the airing cupboard and your lap in that order, and will still feel cold to the touch. A close-fitting top gives back some of the insulation the coat would have provided, which is why most hairless cats wear one indoors from October onwards.

The fabric is a ribbed cotton with enough stretch to move with the body rather than bunching at the shoulders. Cotton matters more here than it would on a furred cat: bare skin against a synthetic gets clammy, and these cats already produce the oils that a coat would normally absorb, so a breathable natural fibre keeps the skin drier between baths. Flat seams sit against the skin without rubbing, the long sleeves cover the front legs, and the cut leaves the back legs and tail clear so grooming and the litter tray are unaffected.

• Ribbed pure cotton with a stretchy close fit
• Long sleeves covering the front legs
• Flat seams against bare skin
• Cut out for legs and tail
• Machine washable and quick to dry
• Sizes XS to 2XL across a wide range of colours and prints

On colours and washing. Wash these more often than you would expect: skin oils build up in the fabric quickly on a hairless cat and a stale top can irritate the skin it is meant to protect. Two or three in rotation is realistic.

What the options mean. Sizes run from XS to S — £7.99 for the smallest, £9.99 for the largest.

Who it's for: Owners of a Sphynx or other hairless or very short-coated cat who needs a warm, breathable layer for indoors.