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!

I have one that I can easily attach safely to my bike so that I can cycle to the vet. I‘ve had 3 cats that have traveled in that basket and they all loved it - even when we were going in a car.

I have the Curver one too. Absolutely brilliant. Easy to load and unload. Easy to lock. Even a little lift up flap to pet them. People always comment on it.

Coated wire basket type, rectangular with top opening lid and metal stick to close. V strong and easy to clean and load. Drape with a cover if necessary. Yes they are a bit more expensive but last forever and very safe and sturdy.

Ps Don't get a front loader for a big cat! Top loader every time!

I had one of those but found it very difficult to get my cat out of it.

I use this - Expandable carrier so she has a little more space in the car🙂

@Mia184 - oh, how lovely! Love the thought of your cats enjoying their bike ride. Sadly, my bike riding skills are terrible and I wouldn’t subject my cats to my attempts 😂

I’ve taken the plunge and have ordered a large metal MDC one, mentioned by a few people on the thread. Large BoyCat has an appointment at the end of next week for his annual check-up, so will road test it then and report back.

Last time I was at the vet, I saw someone with one of these. Never seen one before, I don’t think I could use it with straight face (apologies if anyone here has one!). It was just funny watching the cats expression as it was wheeled through to its appointment.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sharplace-Suitcase-Waterproof-Universal-Breathable/dp/B0B3X8S12Y/ref=sr_1_10?crid=3H5J5K2NBU0W9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2ExwYK9rdHUOIqzowmjYPSJRv2AZ13fQscDK4zwik9T_XCaycIuHfNrpI4VI7o_ODPkUd5N9z3C_7lsbK41DnHZI9gPWfMVUhBW5pt5WmXXKRlIUWP7Gs3mNSgyQv6-mQ-vkzit0YSb9aw-t0cix2J4XxeYvnDPeS_DH_yxRKKkhrloIw5_JB87a3B_1yCJPQ0l7dHyrDMRI2eoq-UMKhRtIeFjEKGYYj1SXG9jpfTXJei5MSjeTBPQ7e4EawrMBCc84tM7hWx77WHdjIaDhKBdNfSxOxfDrtj2xOdjvyoY.gDsouAxTRCEkey-VRumX_707KjyUxb6E4RR_Y1XPhus&dib_tag=se&keywords=cat%2Bsuitcase%2Bcarrier&qid=1744822929&sprefix=Cat%2Bsuitcase%2Bcarr%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-10&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d7e5a2de-8759-4da3-993c-d11b6e3d217f&th=1

The Amazon Basics toploading carrier mentioned upthread is absolutely fine.

I won't use soft bag style ones for transporting my cat, in a car accident he is far safer in a hard carrier. He doesn't have to go in it often. While I do feel the top door's locks are a little flimsy with a heavy cat inside, I put a strap around it so that even if the door broke, it would stay closed.

Toploading is easier for actually getting the cat inside if they're not keen, I haven't found a better toploading one than the amazon one.

Too late for OP but we have had the catit cabrio for 8 years & it's still as good as when we got it. Having previously had a cat virtually impossible to get into a carrier I wanted something super easy & it really is. Looks a bit like the cat is in a washing machine though...
https://amzn.eu/d/iPLiuQi

Curious idea. Practical, though I think MrCat would be even more anxious being so exposed.

There's a guy I see in our local supermarket wearing something very similar to this. It's so cute to see the little cat's head pop up in the window!

We have two of these from Pets at Home, the reviews aren’t great but ours have lasted a fair few trips with a disgruntled cat inside: https://www.petsathome.com/product/ferplast-atlas-deluxe-pet-carrier-20-x-small/7107859P?productId=7107859&purchaseType=one-time&size=xSmall the top loading option is good for our nervous cat, the other is so food motivated he walks in willingly every time for the dreamies and then acts surprised when we shut him in.

I’d love to be able to take them both in one carrier like others on this thread but there’s still the occasional rumble in our house so it doesn’t seem like a good idea to shut them in together when they’re both going to be quite stressed anyway!

I had a cat burst it's way out of a plastic carrier so use a fabric one now but there are so many zips I nearly had a great escape through one so 've zipped tied them all now apart from top one

please let us know how you get on with the metal one. I had one once but found it really heavy

That's the one we had for Harry. I liked it as it was either top or front loading so we could get him in one way or another! We had it for years and it was still going strong. Now you mention it, he did look like he was in a washing machine...

I bought the catit one years ago and never used it as I felt it would be useless and dangerous to try and put a resistant tricky cat in it via the top clamshell opening. Maybe mine was duff but it needed some pressure and accurate lining up to close and as it's opaque it would be impossible to see cat appendages attempting an escape - presenting a risk of entrapment. I really liked the idea and it's a great size and has seatbelt clips, but I couldn't take the risk.

We've got the fold flat ones linked above too, I like the long shoulder straps which mean I can carry both cats easily across the car park, I'm not to worried about them being less protective in a car accident as the vet is only a mile away and you barely get up to 30mph getting there. I can put the seatbelt through the handles which I couldn't with our old rigid one, just had to wrap it round and hope for the best. Also not too worried about escapes as the girls are old now and don't try, but the zips are quite stiff anyway. They take up less space than our old rigid plastic ones and are easier to get the cats into as you can take them wherever the cat is, with the rigid ones I didn't like taking them upstairs because it felt unsafe coming downstairs with the cats in them (we have steep old stairs).

Good.

I have a basic pets at home XL one but awkward as I have to hold it underneath as cat is 7.5kg