Cats are much more than just furry animals
that hog the bed at night. Nor are they just temperamental and mischievous
little things that makes us wonder who is the pet and who is the owner. Cats,
for many of us, are a member of the family. And, like the rest of the family,
they are going to need to be taken to the vet from time to time – or maybe you
just want to bring them along on a family vacation. For these situations,
you’re going to want to make sure you have a cat carrier.
What is a Cat Carrier? (1) (2) (3)
As the name would suggest, a cat carrier is
something that you use to transport your cat (or other small animals like small
dogs, guinea pigs, ferrets, tiny pigs and the like) from one place to another.
There are several different types of cat carriers that you could choose from.
These include:
Homemade Carriers: A homemade carrier is
basically anything that you grab from around the house and put your cat in.
Some people will use a cardboard box, laundry basket, and even a tote bag or
pillow case. These carriers (especially the pillow case and tote bag) aren’t
safe for your cat because they could get hurt or escape when you are taking
them from point A to point B.
Cardboard Carriers: A cardboard carrier is
primarily given to people who just adopted a kitten. These carriers are
typically designed for temporary transport and are not recommended for
long-term use because they can get damaged, either by general wear and tear, or
the cat may scratch a hole into the carrier. Also, these carriers are basically
useless if they get wet, whether it is because of the weather or because the
cat urinated or spilled their water.
Soft Sided Carrier: A soft sided carrier is
going to be made from either nylon or ballistic nylon. The carrier will be
lightweight and are usually pretty easy to carry, even with the cat in tow.
There are a few things that you’ll want to keep in mind if you decide to go the
soft carrier route:
These carriers are very popular for travel
but they are best suited for cats who travel well and remain calm. If a feisty
or anxious cat is in one of these carriers, they could easily tear a hole in
the nylon material and possibly escape. If you’re driving, this could be a very
dangerous situation to be in. Not only that, but if your cat is determined to
get out, they could catch their nail in the material which would lead to a vet
visit.
When choosing a soft carrier, you want to
make sure that it is going to be large enough for your cat to comfortably move
around in it. If you plan on going on long trips, you will also want to add
another several inches so that you can include a food dish and water dish, too.
With that said, cats prefer small spaces,
so you don’t want to get them a massive cat carrier. We’ll talk more about how
to choose the appropriate size a little later.
Soft carriers are going to be easier to
clean than a cardboard carrier, but it is important that you choose a soft
carrier that has something in the bottom to prevent the carrier from sagging
while you’re carrying it. In most cases, the carrier will have lightweight
framework that will prevent this.
Hard-Sided Carrier: A hard sided carrier is
going to provide you with the best support for transporting your cat. They will
also be more durable and easy to clean. It’s important to note that if you are
flying with an airline approved hard carrier, they may not fit under your seat
very well, but if something should fall onto the case, your cat will be safe.
Hard sided carriers will have a steel wire
or steel mesh door that is going to be much more durable than plastic and any
hardware on the case should be metal.
The handle for your carrier should be stout
enough for you to comfortably carry your cat, but it should also be strong
enough to support the weight of the carrier and the cat.
How to Find the Right Size Carrier For Your
Cat (4)
When you know what kind of cat carrier you
want to go with, you need to make sure that you are choosing the correct size
for them. But how do you do that? It’s actually pretty simple and it only
requires a bit of measuring.
For the first measurement, you will want to
measure your cat from the base of their tail to the tip of their nose. You will
want to make sure they are standing when you do this. Once you have that
measurement, you will want to add four inches. This will be the length of the
carrier.
For the second measurement, you will want
to measure the top of their head (when standing) to the floor. After you found
this measurement, you will want to add four inches. This will be the height of
the carrier.
In a properly sized carrier, your cat will
be able to stand up comfortably and will be able to peer out at the world
without having to duck their head. They should also have enough space inside
the crate for them to turn around comfortably and be able to lay down with
their paws extended.
Airline Regulations For Cat Carriers (5)
(6)
If you plan on going on a plane with your
cat, you have to make sure that your desired airline even allows for pet
travelers, but you will also want to be mindful of the regulations set in place
for the cat carrier you use. Some airline companies will have varying
requirements and what may work with one company may not work with the next.
However, most airline’s will allow only one
pet carrier per passenger, and one pet per carrier. There may be an exception
for small puppies, but there is a limit of a maximum of up to three pets per
flight.
For the pet themselves, most airlines
require that the pet is no longer than 18 inches and does not exceed 12 pounds
in weight. Of course, this could be different for each airline. Basic
requirements for the cat carrier includes:
The carrier must be able to fit under the
seat in front of you.
The carrier must have a waterproof bottom
(also invest in good pee pads)
The carrier must have adequate ventilation
– at least two sides should have ventilation.
The carrier must use zippers to secure your
pet in the carrying case.
You must keep your pet enclosed in the
carrier at all times.
The carrier must be made of a hard material
like hard plastic, metal, or wood.
The carrier’s door must be made of metal
and have a metal locking mechanism.
You should have two water dishes attached
to the carrier and should be accessible from outside.
In order to find the right carrier for your
pet, you will want to measure your cat. When they are standing, measure from
the tip of the head down to the floor, then add about 4 inches. This will
indicate the height of the carrier. Next, measure the tip of the cat’s nose to
the base of the tail, then add 4 inches. This will indicate the length of the
carrier.
How to Use a Cat Carrier (7) (8) (9)
Every cat owner knows that cats have a mind
of their own and they aren’t always going to be cooperative. While many cats
love to be in enclosed places (seriously, what is with their fascination with
boxes?), when they are locked into a carrying case, it’s like they go crazy and
they will fight tooth and (sharp) nail to get out.
You can make the task of loading the cat
into the carrier a little easier for both of you by acclimating your cat to the
carrier way before they actually need to be in it. How do you do that, you ask?
To do this, you will want to leave the
carrier out and easily accessible. Cats are suspicious and when the crate comes
out of nowhere, they feel like something bad is going to happen – like a visit
to the vet. By leaving the carrier out and open, she will be more likely to go
in, explore, and not be so afraid of it.
You can do other things that will help your
cat feel less afraid of the carrier, such as:
Leave the carrier in their favorite place
with the door open. If you put the carrier just anywhere, chances are the cat
may not even pay it any mind. However, when it is in their favorite spot
(likely a spot that gets a lot of sun), their curiosity will be piqued.
Put a favorite blanket and toy in the
carrier. The blanket will help your cat to feel comfortable, not just because
of the softness of the blanket itself, but the familiar scents will help them
feel like the carrier is “theirs.”
When your cat is relaxed inside the
carrier, practice closing the door. With the door closed, give the cat a treat
and then open the door and let the cat out.
How to Get a Reluctant Cat Inside the
Carrier (10)
Unfortunately, no matter what you try to
do, your cat just may not want anything to do with the carrier. The problem is
you are still going to have to get them inside without hurting them and getting
scratched up in the process. But how?
Use a towel or blanket that your cat sleeps
on and put it inside the carrier.
If you do not have a two-door carrier, put
the carrier on the end with the open door facing up.
If you do have a two-door carrier, open the
top door.
Pick up your cat and hold their back paws
in one hand while using the other hand to support the chest.
Gently place the cat’s backend into the
crate first so they aren’t able to see where he is going.
If your cat puts up a fight, you can wrap
him in said blanket or towel and then place him in using step 4.
Traveling With Your Cat (11) (12)
When you are transporting your cat, you
want to avoid feeding them up to an hour before you leave. This will reduce the
possibility of your cat getting sick. You will also want to cover the carrier
so the motion outside the vehicle doesn’t make them nauseous and sick.
Another important tip is to avoid putting
your cat on the ground if there are dogs around, but also if the area is overly
crowded with people. All the commotion could cause your kitty to feel
distressed and become anxious.
Before going on long trips in the car,
consider taking your cat on short jaunts, like around the block or just up and
down the street (make sure you buckle the carrier securely in the backseat!).
This will help your cat get used to the movement of the car. As soon as you get
him back into the house, be sure to give him a treat for being good.
If you have tried traveling with your cat
before and they get sick or they just cannot relax, you will want to talk to
your vet to see if they can give your cat some kind of medication so that the trip
isn’t so stressful for them.
Tips to Keep In Mind When Traveling with
Your Cat (13) (14)
If you’ve never traveled with your cat
before, it’s going to be a new experience for both you and your feline friend.
Here are some tips that will help you prepare for you trip:
Before leaving on your trip, make sure your
cat has been examined by the vet to ensure they are in good health. You will
also want to make sure they are up to date on their vaccines and they’ve been
microchipped just in case they do get away from you.
If you are going on a road trip, you will
want to make sure your car is in good working condition as well. You may not
realize it but a preventative check will save you and your cat a lot of
headaches because you will be less likely to break down.
Make sure you have the best cat carrier for your
cat. You want to make sure your cat, their blanket, water and food dishes will
fit comfortably inside the carrier. You also want to make sure the carrier has
plenty of ventilation so they have fresh air, too.
While you are driving, you want to try to
be as calm as you can. If you get too excited, one way or another, your cat
will pick up on this and they too will get excited or agitated.
If you have multiple cats, avoid trying to
put them both into a single crate. Not only will it be heavier for you to carry
once you arrive to your destination, but the cats need their own space. The
only acceptable time to put multiple cats into one carrier is if they are small
kittens.
Always make sure that your car is at a good
temperature. If it’s cold outside, crank up the heat so that the cats can feel
it in the back. If it’s hot, put a light colored sheet over part of the crate
and turn on the air conditioning. Also, you should never leave your pets alone in
a hot car! Windows up and no air conditioning is a very dangerous situation for
any living thing!
How to Clean and Maintain Your Cat Carrier
(15) (16)
For the most part, cats are pretty good at
keeping themselves nice and clean. So it would make sense that a dirty cat
carrier is not the best situation for your kitty. A clean carrier is going to
help keep your cat comfortable, but also keep the car from stinking.
If you have a hard sided carrier, you will
want to remove the blanket and put it in the laundry to get washed. When the
blanket has been dried, put it back in your cat’s bed so they can get their
scent on it. For the carrier, you will want to wipe it out with warm sudsy
water made from a mild soap. You’ll want to make sure you get out any crumbs
from food and other things. You’ll then want to rinse the carrier thoroughly
and then let it air dry (or wipe it down with a towel) before putting
everything back in.
If you have a soft carrier, you will want
to remove everything from the inside and run it through the wash. This includes
the padded portion of the carrier – just make sure you read the care
instructions on this part for temperature settings and drying instructions.
With an empty carrier, you will want to
fill a sink or bathtub with warm sudsy water (again, using a mild detergent)
and dip the carrier into the solution. Wipe the interior of the carrier down
with a sponge and then rinse the carrier with clean water. Finally, lay the
carrier in the sun so it can dry thoroughly.
Throughout the course of using the carrier,
it will get some wear and tear. After each trip, you will want to look over the
carrier to ensure everything is in good order, such as:
Soft Carriers:
Zippers work easily and do not get stuck
The handles are firmly attached to the
carrier
No loose threads, especially around the
mesh which could allow your cat to escape
There aren’t any holes in the pad or the
carrier itself
Hard Carriers:
Make sure there are no cracks anywhere on
the walls or floor of the carrier
Check the hardware to ensure everything is
good and tight – if not, tighten as necessary
Check the hinges and locks on the door(s)
to ensure they work properly
Conclusion
Traveling is a wonderful experience for the
whole family! However, if you have a cat, you may be hesitant to travel because
you don’t want to put your kitty in a kennel or find a house sitter. Instead of
foregoing traveling all together, why not bring your kitty along? A cat carrier
will let you pack your furry friend up and bring them along with you! Not only
can you use the cat carrier to travel, but it will also be very handy when you
have to take your cat to the vet.
Many people will skip spending money on a
cat carrier and opt for a box with some holes, or a basket. But neither of
these options are going to be very safe or comfortable for your kitty to travel
in. That’s why it is important that you have the best cat carrier that your money can buy. The best
part is, cat carriers aren’t very expensive! Head on over to our buying guide to see for yourself!
In our guide, we provide you with five
reviews on cat carriers that we believe are worth looking at. There are a few
hard sided carriers and a few soft sided, so you can decide which will work
best for your needs. We also provide you with a list of important features you
should look for when choosing the best cat carrier, just in case you want to
keep looking!
Leave us a comment and tell us what you
want a cat carrier for. Will it be for travel or just going to the vet? We’d
love to hear from you!
