Soft vs rigid cat carrier

[CondimentQueen]

Can I use a soft-sided cat carrier for car transport? Just thinking it takes up less room to store since we won't be using it much. We mainly need it to pick up our new rescue cat and then for vet trips.

Is there much difference between the hard shell and soft ones?

I find the hard ones easy to clean if they vomit or poo in them.

We have a rigid one; storing it isn't an issue because it stays out all the time (with the door removed). The cat uses it as one of her sleeping places.

I wouldn't recommend soft ones for any but the most laid back of cats. A panicky and determined cat can somehow fight their way out of the soft ones. I've seen it happen, even though they shouldn't be able to in theory.

I would go for a hard one, but make sure the door is metal and not plastic, as those too can be broken out of.

The hard ones are easier to clean. We have a travel sick cat that vomits and poos everytime she travels. We have even given up with the blanket and line with disposable pads so we can bin them at destination

Great - thanks very much. When I asked at the shop, the assistant just replied "it's personal preference" but there's no safety benefit of one over the other.

Sounds like a hard case is a better buy.

I'd never use a soft one, as they'd give no protection in the event of a crash.

We have a hard plastic one with a metal door, it opens at the top too. Easy to wash out. I just have to hope our next cat goes in as willingly as dear Coco did!
I did have a cat who broke out of a plastic carrier with a plastic door. Housemate was taking him to vet for dental. Cat was in carrier and housemate was getting his coat on and heard a clunk then saw said cat running up the stairs... He called the vet who suggested we get something suitable for a small rottweiler!

We have two hard ones, one with a top entry as well (not used this yet with Ernie but may in future as he has become difficult to get in)

My Mum gave me a soft one and he tries to eat the velcro so it's been hidden

We have a soft one as it was reduced at Zooplus and honestly I wouldn't buy one again.

Really difficult to get cat in and out - yes, I know that applies to all carriers but more so for this one! And the zip never tallies up when you are wrestling a cat at the same time.

Thankfully no accidents in it so far as the cat using it is a loud but otherwise safe traveller but it would basically be straight in the bin then.

While the hard carrier is 14 years, faded, rusting but still going strong.

I have soft carriers but the vet is a 2-minute walk away & they never need to go in the car now (I gave up on the cattery because the nicest one is a 30-minute drive away & 2 of mine are panic-pee-pooers so someone comes in to feed them now.)

One of mine is a big strong male & I reckon he could do some serious damage to the side fabric if he put his mind to it.

I have had hard ones in the past - small & quite difficult to get a reluctant cat into. I think those wire ones vets & rescues use, where the whole top opens, are probably the easiest. Not very cosy though!

Fatty liked her new top entry carriers.

I’m going to go against the grain. We’ve got a soft one and it’s great. He just hops in when he sees it, and is happy to sleep in there. It’s this one.

We’ve got this one for Harry cat cabrio. (His is dark purple though, they didn’t have pink at the time!)

It’s a front and top loader and although the door is plastic it’s very tough. We also padlock the front just in case. He gets shoved in the front and lifted out the top when he’s at the vets.

It’s a front and top loader
... doubles as a washing machine...

and although the door is plastic it’s very tough. We also padlock the front just in case...

Harry Houdini?

Toddler - Fatty looks like he's part of a picnic.

NCfornow - That cat is definitely plotting ...

It’s why his fur is so white!

The padlock was my idea, I think DH thinks it’s overkill but goes along with it. I was paranoid that rather than slumping at the back of the basket trying to look invisible Harry would escape! I make him sound like the Incredible Hulk!