Cat carrier

[IJWMM]

I’m probably going to need a new carrier, it’s years since I bought my current one.

Would be interested to know what carriers you have, along with its plus points and/or downsides.

Cat tax also welcomed!

Years ago we had the hard plastic carriers with grid type doors, but we have now moved to a smaller property and don't have the room to store a rigid plastic one. So we now have one that collapses and is stored flat ( from Amazon) . Its ideal for us, no complaints. Cat tax paid

Old school here.
2 large wicker top loading baskets. Each big enough for two cats.
Had them for over 30 years - just had to replace the wicker hinges with cable ties after about 15 years.
Top loading makes them very easy to use.

@cherrytree12345 - I’ve looked at this type online. My current one is a solid plastic.

Do they feel sturdy to carry? Do they sort of tilt if your cat shifts its weight to one end? Hope that makes sense.

Your cat is gorgeous, those eyes are mesmerising.

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats - what a great idea and amazing that they’ve lasted so long. My back isn’t great, so not sure if I’d manage without a top handle. But am definitely wanting something with top loading, it will make life easier for me and the cats.

I have one like this, with a fitted cover. It's super secure and about as easy as can be to get a tricky cat in. I wouldn't go back to plastic now and wouldn't have a soft sided one as, firstly, the zips and fabric can fail, and secondly, have you ever had a cat have diarrhoea in a carrier?

amzn.eu/d/6rqUnJh

A major plastic carrier failure in a busy street, an early dark November evening, in the rain , cat hid under a car, car owner obliging inched forward, three passing strangers acted as back up catchers! Happened to my daughter so we both now have sturdy metal “cage” carriers that only open at the top like the previous poster. Awkward to carry but secure.

I use disposable puppy pads in the base on top of a towel because current cat has an automatic response to being in any carrier.

I could never get my fiesty rescue into a carrier as she would splay all her legs out at the door. Three humans versus one cat (and failing 50%) could be quite traumatic at times. We bought the metal cage linked above and my goodness, zero stress putting her (and several strays) in it. Still have trouble catching though...

They do each have a top handle - so carrying them isn't a problem (although a bit heavy if you have two fat cats in each box 😹)

Simply not funny.

We have the same one as @MiGataCalico linked to
They are easy to load, very secure, and easy to clean if necessary.

I put a piece of Vet Bed in the bottom as that absorbs any accidents and is easy to wash.

I have used the metal carriers for a long time, we did once have a plastic one but the clips were flimsy and I didn't trust it.

Hi OP in reply to your question, our soft carrier has a sturdy/rigid plastic base (removable) which has a zipped soft cover and in this is held very securely in place with velcro. We put a puppy pad in the carrier on top of the cover just in case she is sick or goes to the toilet- but she never has.
You can feel when the cat moves from one end of the carrier to the other but because the base is really solid the carrier holds its shape and its no different to a solid carrier.
Our previous cat used to rip hell out of the sides of the carrier, but this didn’t do any damage. I accept that the zip could fail, but 🤞its been ok so far.

I only like the old fashioned metal ones, although that basket one looks nice. The plastic ones don’t last-the clips break, and life is too short for sending off for replacements. Like this, although prices vary a lot
https://amzn.eu/d/4h5ORvV

Be very careful about soft ones with zips - Girlcat very nearly got out of hers on her way home from the rescue! Some cats have the knack of catching a claw in the zipper and opening it...

I've got a fairly basic plastic one from Amazon for my 6kg bundle if nerves. I usually swaddle him and post him in from the front, and then at the vets I open the top and lift him out. It needs to have a solid base as he often pees and poos in his anxiety. It has a handle on top, which I don't use because MrCat is so big.

We had this one for Harry in purple - Catit

Thanks all, really appreciate the recommendations - am going to have a good peruse online. I hadn’t thought about toilet accidents in a fabric carrier so that’s a good point to consider. I definitely need something sturdy as BoyCat weighs a stone already and, although she won’t be as big, GirlCat isn’t going to be small when she grows up!

Love the description of “posting” the cat into the carrier, describes it perfectly 😂

As an aside, it’s amazing how people can find the most innocuous thread to post something that needs to be deleted, no idea what was said but some people are obviously weird!

This is the one I have.

It has loops on the top where you can attach a shoulder strap, but I haven't used them. MrCat is so nervous that I prefer to hold the crate in front of me, rather than risk it swinging on my hip or knocking into something.

You can see that it has clips in the side so that you can lift the whole top off. I don't use that. It also came with bolts and nuts so that you can screw the top securely to the base, which is what I've done.

I have a curver one that looks like a picnic basket. It’s absolutely brilliant. No
negatives at all.

That is the same design as the one that broke open releasing my dds cat into the street. It might be an idea to get one of those webbing straps you can put around suitcases to make sure it never happens to you.

@Toddlerteaplease - that’s the one I’ve got now. I love the look of it, everyone always comments on it. But I find it really awkward getting the cat out of it at the vets, probably user error! Plus it’s going to be a bit of a squish for mine once they’re fully grown.

I find it much easier to get them in and out as it’s top entry.

That's why I used the bolts, @viques.

We have a bog standard plastic carrier, which has a top door and a front door. Our previous cat was really anxious about going in it and had to be loaded in the top (also weed in it out of fear a couple of times, poor poppet) but our boy is non-plussed and wanders in the front. We had a lovely cosy furry - washable - pad thing for it but we left it with our girl when she was pts. It’s just got a towel in it now but I must look out for a new pad.

Here he is in Al-Cat-Raz on his way to get his boosters two weeks ago, and a happier photo from last week in the sunshine. He indignantly refused the snacks the vet offered him in the surgery, but I noticed he had eaten them on the way home after she popped them in the carrier for him!

@Judystilldreamsofhorses - love it, Al-Cat-Raz, am going to pocket that one.

He’s very handsome, love his surveying of his kingdom in the sunshine 😻