Choosing a cat carrier is an important decision for you and your cat; even if you only use it occasionally for veterinary check-ups. You need to make sure that your cat is happy and comfortable in it but also that it’s safe, provides a sense of security, is easy to clean and that your cat can get in and out easily. With all the different types of cat carriers available, how do you choose the right one for your cat?
Which Type of Cat Carrier?
No Carrier
Not having a carrier at all is an obvious no-no! Your cat may be the happiest, most well-behaved cat ever, but it only takes one thing to spook her if you’re carrying her in your arms, and all hell could break loose. It’s not safe for you or your cat, and why take that risk with your precious cargo?
Wire Cage
A wire cage cat carrier is better than no carrier at all, but it isn’t ideal. Your cat will be caged, and likely to feel trapped and fearful. A wire carrier won’t be particularly comfortable for her, and if she has an accident it’s not going to be contained at all.
Wicker Basket
Wicker baskets may look nice, but they’re not the most secure cat carriers. They’re also very difficult to clean, keep in mind that if you’re taking your cat to and from the vet it may be because she’s ill, so if she’s sick or soils in the basket, it’s going to be a real struggle to clean up.
Soft-Sided Carrier
Although there are many airline approved soft-sided cat carriers on the market, they generally aren’t very sturdy, and if the bottom isn’t firm, it’s going to be very uncomfortable. Just imagine how you’d feel lying on a blanket and being carried around! The sides are designed to cave in (so they can be folded and stored), they’re difficult to clean if your cat has an accident, and you risk your cat trying to claw her way out of it if she’s scared.
Cardboard Box
You may have brought your cat home in a cardboard carrier when you adopted her, but they should only ever be a temporary measure. Cardboard carriers aren’t at all secure – if they get damp they’ll fall apart, and it’s easy for cats to scratch right through them.
Plastic Carrier
Plastic cat carriers are my personal choice, as they’re sturdy, durable and easy to clean. They’re cost-effective too – they’ll usually last as long as your cat does, if not longer. We line our cat carriers with a towel for added comfort, which can be washed as needed. Plastic cat carriers are also airline approved if you’re taking your cat travelling with you, although do check with the individual airline you’re flying with.
Other Considerations When Choosing the Right Cat Carrier
The Size
A carrier that’s too small obviously won’t be comfortable for your cat, but too big and all that space when it’s moving around might scare her. Your cat needs to feel safe and secure, because if she’s already nervous about going to the vet, for example, she’ll feel much better being able to curl up tightly in a corner. Another issue when the carrier is too big is the weight of your cat; you’ll struggle with balancing the carrier when you’re carrying it.
How Many Cats?
If you’ve got multiple cats, it’s important to use a separate carrier for each one, because you never know when you’re going to have to take them out together. Even if they’re the best of friends at home, the stress of the journey might cause them to lash out at each other, which would be awful for them and for you.
The Openings
Carriers with an opening at the top make it easier for you to put your cat into, especially if your cat freaks out when she realises she’s going into the carrier! If you only have one carrier that opens at the front, you can still turn it on its bottom to pop her into it. Carriers where the entire top half comes off are a good choice for nervous cats, because it means your cat can stay within the safety of the carrier at the vet clinic, including during the examination.
Choosing the right cat carrier for your cat means that taking her out and about will be a lot easier, for the both of you!
What type of cat carrier do you use? Please share below…
You make a great point about using a carrier as a way to alleviate fears in your cat. I think that if I were transporting my cat from place to place, I would want her in a cage that she couldn’t get out of. I am disabled and therefore cannot run after her. Cats aren’t like dogs where you simply call to them and they come running.
Sandy, who died in 2004, did not have a carrier. In the summer of 2003, we took him to PetSmart to get his claws trimmed. He peed my pants.
We have always had the plastic PTUs , but Mom recently bought a soft-sided one on wheels ’cause she cannot lift the plastic PTU once one of us is inside. Giulietta has traveled in it and been fine with it. Astrid likes to sleep in it at home. We think whatever is easiest for the human to handle while still keeping us safe is the best for us.
And all along I’ve been upset cos all the other cats have SleepyPods and all I have is a hand-me-down Kennel Cab. Faith used to have a cardboard carrier but again TW didn’t know any better. She was small and passive so it was OK. Chizzy broke through 2 cardboard carriers and that’s how the Kennel Cab came to be.
Mom’s (and our) favorite is the plastic carrier and we each have our own. Mom just bought me a new soft-sided carrier for the airplane to BlogPaws!
Definitely separate cat carriers. We’ve tried two in one and had a big fight!
Since I test cat products I have every kind but happily our vet makes house calls. If I do need to use one, I like Sleepypods.
Very informative post & tips on choosing the right carrier. Adorable kitty cats too!
I absolutely ADORE the carrier I got a couple of years ago from the Pet360 website. What I adore the most, is that it has a TOP opening as well as the standard front opening.
I always hated “shoving” Cody into the carrier, now, I don’t have to. I just pick him up and plop him in. It is less stressful for BOTH of us!
I think the most important consideration is to keep whatever carrier one chooses out ALL of the time. I didn’t with my Angel Bobo and he would take off when he saw it coming. Many vet trips were cancelled because of that.
I leave Cody’s out and OPEN all of the time, it has a blanket and often I find him in there resting. He doesn’t just associate it with the vet.
Not a fan of the “ROUND” carriers, doesn’t give them enough room if they want to change positions or hide their head in a corner (there are no corners in them and cats like the comfort of hiding their heads of they want to)
Hate the soft-sided ones as well. For larger cats they feel extremely unsafe.
Great tips! Mom is in the market for a new carrier and traveling supplies for Sophie for the trip to BlogPaws! This article came at the purrfect time 🙂
I have plastic carriers for Carmine and Milita. I do like that they are sturdy. I always put a towel in the carrier for them so they are more comfortable, too.
We have a plastic one and a soft-sided one. The mom likes the plastic one the best much for the reasons you mention…it’s easier to clean, etc. The soft-sided one is great, but it loses it’s shape and the top will fold down on us when we’re in it. But the mom would not get a carrier unless it’s a top loader. Much easier to get us into it!
Mum’s favorite are plastic carriers too. She makes soft pillow that you can wash in machine to make the carrier comfy. Purrs
Right now, I think we have twice as many carriers as there are kitties living here!