Sooner or later, every cat owner faces the question of how to travel with their pet. Whether you're heading to the veterinary clinic, heading out to the countryside, visiting friends for a few days, or taking a longer trip, a cat carrier is essential. To make a short walk, and especially a longer trip, enjoy your cat's adventure, you need to provide a comfortable travel basket.
A cat carrier should always be selected based on the animal's size. It should be made of high-quality and practical materials. We'll discuss all the details below.
Cat carriers – which are the best?
First and foremost, a portable cat house should ensure the pet's comfort and security, as well as mobility and ergonomics for the owner. The cat basket should have windows: mesh ones in fabric baskets and sturdy bars in plastic or metal baskets. This will allow the cat to get enough fresh air and be able to observe its surroundings, which will make it feel much more at ease.
Good and comfortable accessories can be expensive or inexpensive. They can be made from a variety of materials and offer a range of functional benefits.
The most popular and affordable textile baby carriers. Let's consider their advantages:
- Unlike plastic ones, they are practically weightless and easy to care for.
- The fabric playhouse is easy to carry and won't take up much space in transit. When storing, the bag folds up easily and can be stowed away in minutes.
- A cat house bag is allowed on airplanes as carry-on baggage.
The main drawback of a fabric pet carrier is its weight limit. This type of carrier is not suitable for large breeds, such as Maine Coons.
Also, a fabric carrier has limited space inside, which means you won't be able to place a litter box or hang a toy.
Thus, a lightweight and practical fabric cat bag is good for short trips with not very large breeds.
A plastic carrier is functional, durable, and comfortable for cats. Cats are happy to climb into it even without a pressing need. The plastic basket is more spacious, allowing room for a food bowl and sometimes even a litter box.
The range includes plastic houses of different colours and shapes. Their advantages:
- There are holes for a car seat belt and a carrying handle.
- Easy to care for: just wipe the inside with a damp cloth or napkin.
- There are several holes inside for ventilation.
- An absorbent diaper is placed on the bottom, and a bowl with food can be hung on the door.
- Some carriers are even more mobile and come with wheels, like a travel suitcase.
Cons: A plastic playhouse is heavier and bulkier than a fabric one. Another drawback of plastic is its odor.
How to choose a carrier for your cat
A portable house for a cat is selected based on the following parameters:
- Pet weight. Heavier animals require a secure carrier, such as one made of plastic. This is also a good choice if you plan to transport several kittens in the pet carrier (for example, to the clinic for vaccinations).
- Lifestyle – for an active cat, it is better to choose a more spacious “house”.
- Age. It's best to transport a small kitten in a small fabric carrier. As the animal grows and becomes more comfortable with travel, it will need a more spacious travel home.
- Cat personality. A calm cat will feel at ease and comfortable in a fabric bag. Pets with a strong personality will find it easier to move in a comfortable, large plastic suitcase-style house.
- Breed. This factor influences many things, including weight, personality, lifestyle, and behavior in certain conditions. For example, experts recommend a soft carrier for Sphynx cats, while Siberian cats prefer spacious plastic baskets.
When choosing a fabric carrier, check the quality of all seams, as well as the strength and durability of the frame. Such a bag must have several openings with a mesh barrier. All straps and handles should be stitched several times, and the zippers of the improvised cat house should also work flawlessly.
Large cats are best transported in plastic carriers with a large door and secure metal latches with special safety catches.
If you have any concerns about your pet's behavior, or if aggression or anxiety is expected, the best choice for travel is a plastic house with strong metal bars on the door and windows.
How to train a cat to use a carrier – step-by-step instructions
Get your pet used to the carrier early. The cat carrier should be odor-free. Before use, wipe the basket with mild detergents, and place your pet's favorite toy and bedding inside—this will attract the cat's attention.
How to train an animal to use a transport carrier?
- A few days before the trip, the carrier is placed within easy reach of the pet. The animal will happily explore the unfamiliar object, perhaps climbing inside several times and even settling down to sleep – cats are often attracted to bags and boxes. Pre-familiarization with the carrier, which already contains familiar items (a soft blanket, a food container, a toy), allows the cat to feel secure and comfortable, and the animal will already associate it with home, not a cage.
- It's best not to feed your cat 2-3 hours before the trip. Animals also get motion sickness, and pets adjust more comfortably to travel on an empty stomach.
- If the cat does not want to enter the house, use special homeopathic drops and soothing herbal infusions for animals.
Read also, How to make a collar for a cat with your own hands.
What can I use instead of a cat carrier?
An alternative to a carrier is a special bag or backpack for transporting pets, but these are more suitable for walking.
These spacious and lightweight backpacks are ideal for hiking. This model is recommended exclusively for calm cats accustomed to travel and hiking. They can be worn on the back or on the front, making it easier to observe your cat's behavior.
A backpack or bag can also hold small personal items, such as a phone and wallet, so you don't need to carry a personal bag for small items.
The downside of a backpack or bag is the soft bottom and constant movement when the owner walks. The strong rocking of the carrier can be disturbing to the pet. This carrier is suitable for walking to the veterinary clinic or store.
Stylish bags are often more aesthetically pleasing to their owners than to their pets. And the convenience of a standard carrier is the perfect solution when moving is unavoidable. Cats appreciate care and comfort, so traveling can be a joy in a specially equipped home. If you must use portable devices, do so intermittently and, if possible, in comfort and with sufficient personal space. A cozy travel basket made of high-quality, eco-friendly materials with sufficient space and ventilation can also become a beloved home, even if only temporarily.
Read also about Bio-toilets for cats.
