Soft or metal crate for moving house with cat?

[barmybunting]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has any experience they can share please?

We are planning a move a long way south in the near future, and trying to think of the best way to safely travel with our cat. From what I gather, a crate that he can comfortably have his bed and access to water etc in (although how this works when driving I'm not sure?) placed in the car seems to be the best bet.

But looking at crates, I don't know whether it's better to get a large softish one, which is tent like but opens at the sides like this-
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dog-Pet-Puppy-Fabric-Portable-Carrier-Crate-Kennel-Bag-Cage-Fold-Travel-M-L-XL-/230807561763?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Kitchen_Toasters&var=&hash=item35bd33e623

Or one of the metal type ones you see used more for dogs -
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dog-Cage-Pet-Puppy-Crate-Folding-Metal-Training-Travel-Carrier-5-sizes-easipet-/111185708715?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Kitchen_Steamers_Cookers_PP&var=&hash=item19e32f46ab

Which is the better bet? Has anyone used anything like this or am I on a merry dance down the wrong path?

Thanks!

I once transported a kitten 400 miles in a soft cage. He discovered early on that he could start ripping the sides (in long vertical strips) and we just made it to the destination before the thing was completely in pieces. It had to go in the bin anyway.

I truly think that if I'd used a hard cage (as I always have since) he'd just have settled down and gone to sleep. Instead, the soft cage provided him with hours of good clean (destructive) fun.

Just mentioning.

for a long journey i would say a hard cage aswell i had one of those large soft ones and after a few uses it started collapsing in on itself especially when the cat was in it wouldnt get one again and when you get to new house you can put cat and cage complete with tray and bedding in a spare room and know he wont get out till you are ready to let him out once the removers have gone and doors shut

Problem solved, large case it is. Thank you! We will need to move again in less than a year so this crate needs to stand a few uses.

Thank you!!