Secure cat carrier

[orio]

After a very stressful 24 hours which involved my cat escaping from the car carrier at the vets in an area he was unfamiliar with after the door on the cat carrier opened when he pushed against it, I am looking for recommendations for a secure cat carrier.
Fortunately my cat was located and is now home, but I am so worried about using the carrier again. I would like to purchase a new one, but it needs to be secure. He weighs about 5kg and is medium to large.
Any ideas? Thank you!

I have this one. As long as you turn the clips it's secure

We have the same one as @dementedpixie and it's survived three cats and is going strong - my oldest boy weighs around 8kg and it holds his weight fine, though he's a bit cramped

Thank you both, I will take a look. Have a pets at home near so might pop in

www.argos.co.uk/product/8886707 you can literally padlock it if needed. Fairly heavy but everytime I go into the vets everyone loves it

I also like the fact that it's easy to clean as one of my cats is really nervous and always wees at the vet - though last time he opted to pee all down the vet instead

Can I ask which cat carrier you had? It sounds awful

I have a curver one. It looks like a picnic basket. It's really robust.

Have a look at an IATA airline approved pet crate. That should provide some assurance about security.

I have one and it literally bolts together. The door bolt is spring loaded and then secured with nuts to prevent accidental opening. Of course my cat hates it and prefers to travel in a glorified backpack - but the flight crate is what you need for escape artists.

Thank you all, this has given me some reassurance and I will have a look at what's been suggested.
My current one is just a standard carrier but I think due its age and the cat being very determined I certainly won't use it again.

If you need to use the current one in an emergency then you can cable tie any openings /joins, Make sure you take scissors and extra ties to the vets for the return journey though!

I have basic "top loading" cages. They are great and fairly inexpensive. There is no way the cat can get out accidentally (unless you don't shut it properly, obviously!)

We had the same as you and I was just terrified that the cat would get out, or the clips would fail. So now we have one of the hold-all type cat carriers which is much better, the cats are ok with it and it closes with a zip

@Stickytreacle

If you need to use the current one in an emergency then you can cable tie any openings /joins, Make sure you take scissors and extra ties to the vets for the return journey though!

Yes, I had thought of this, thank you!

@SoupDragon

I have basic "top loading" cages. They are great and fairly inexpensive. There is no way the cat can get out accidentally (unless you don't shut it properly, obviously!)

Yes, I am really tempted by one of these, I was just concerned that the handle was attached to the bit that opened and was worried it would break. I think that's me being paranoid though, there is no reason for it just to break!

I second the holdall carrier with zips. Works very well indeed ime.

I agree with soup dragon about the cages they are brilliant. There's a long pin type fastener that's very secure. My boy is 5.5kg, so he's a big lad and has never escaped. The handle is very secure.
Also with it being a top opening it's much easier to load the cat in.
Because it's a wire cage the cat can see out too. Good luck hope you find a suitable one.
It must have been very scary for you and the cat!

My last cat was 7kg and the cage carrier survived. To be fair, I tried not to hold it just by the handle for very long but he was exceptionally large for a standard cat!

(Having looked on Google they are more expensive than I remember. One of mine came second hand from the cats protection league though)

I bought mine from Amazon at £35 not cheeap, but had it for 5 years and it still looks brand new.

www.petplanet.co.uk/p35798/cat_carrying_basket_white.aspx

Our cat escaped from a plastic carrier in the car which was very stressfull. She absolutely hates travelling. We got the cage type as shown which is very secure and safe.

@Yoyokitten

I agree with soup dragon about the cages they are brilliant. There's a long pin type fastener that's very secure. My boy is 5.5kg, so he's a big lad and has never escaped. The handle is very secure. Also with it being a top opening it's much easier to load the cat in. Because it's a wire cage the cat can see out too. Good luck hope you find a suitable one. It must have been very scary for you and the cat!

Thank you, it was horrible poor boy is 15 and although quite street smart was 10 miles from in an area he didn't know, honestly thought I would never see him again. Price isn't a big concern for the peace of mind. Great suggestions here which is appreciated.

@SoupDragon

My last cat was 7kg and the cage carrier survived. To be fair, I tried not to hold it just by the handle for very long but he was exceptionally large for a standard cat!

That is quite a large cat! Yes, I think like you say not too much exclusive handle holding!

@Blacktip

www.petplanet.co.uk/p35798/cat_carrying_basket_white.aspx

Our cat escaped from a plastic carrier in the car which was very stressfull. She absolutely hates travelling. We got the cage type as shown which is very secure and safe.

These look good as well, thank you.

I have this cat carrier. It is amazing for my 7kg cat. Really easy to get him in and out. Locks securely and folds down. Easy to clean with large opening. And every vet we’ve visited has loved it too. Worth every penny. www.amazon.co.uk/Curver-Carrier-51-38-White/dp/B00BF29Q7U?psc=1&th=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

That should say handle folds down- not the basket itself