For a short trip across town or a major move,
owning a suitable cat carrier is a must do, because:
A pet on the loose in a car will go flying
- if you're in an accident - even if he is being held. An
animal can distract the driver, or jump out a window. Pets
are quite capable of accidentally activating power windows
and becoming trapped.
Emergencies can occur at any time - an injury,
a sudden illness, and hopefully not, an evacuation. Don't
assume disaster reception centers will have large supplies
of carriers and other types of pet containment readily available
for your pet.
Cats often run away, in the blink of an
eye, if startled or frightened. Cats feel safer in an enclosed
area. For their security and your peace of mind, they need
to be safely confined. Lost cats are not always easily found.
Cat carrier tips
If your cat is very nervous or scared,
cover the carrier with a small blanket, it should calm down.
Just make sure there is still some ventilation. Extremely
frightened cats (and caged ferals) can actually hurt themselves
if they are thrashing around in a carrier.
Do not use pillows for newly born baby kittens or
tiny, very young pets - they can suffocate.
Which type of pet carrier should you choose?
Will you be making a short trip or travelling for many
hours or days? Will you be transporting your pet on an airline
or other type of public transportation?
What is the personality of your pet? Cats
who tend to be skittish or easily frightened
can and have ripped holes in soft sided carriers. On the
other hand, calmer cats should be fine.
Whichever type you choose the two important safety considerations
are sturdy construction and ventilation.
Traveling can be very stressful for your cat ... stressed
out felines tend to breathe more quickly. Your cat carrier
should provide good ventilation on at least three sides
of the carrier.
Some carriers are airline approved, for cargo or cabin
use. If traveling internationally, look for carriers that
are compliant with IATA (International Air Transport Association)
Live Animals Regulations, which is a good measure of overall
quality.
The three most common types of carriers for travelling with
your pet are:
(1) Hard sided carriers
Hard carriers are a popular choice for traveling with your
cat and considered to be the safest type
of carrier overall. Hard carriers are fully enclosed and
many, but not all, are constructed with durable, sturdy
plastics.
Hard sided carriers are widely accepted on airlines for
travelling in the cargo hold. Your pet's carrier will be
his fortress ... make sure it's tough.
Test it yourself for strength. Fill it
with something heavy, like a large bag of food and make
sure it doesn't droop or warp.
One carrier I owned (and it wasn't cheap) was made of
thinner plastic than most. It was so
pliable, I could open the door without undoing the latches,
just by pulling on the plastic. How safe would your pet
be in a cargo hold? Check it out - you shouldn't be able
to bend the plastic at all.
Steel mesh doors are, of course, stronger and safer
than plastic. The door should be properly hinged,
attached to the bottom and top of the cat carrier with four
metal rods. Some rods penetrate more deeply into
the shell of the carrier and are considerably more
secure.
Look for a strong handle that will support
your pet's weight. From inside the carrier, check out the
handle. Can the handle easily slip out of the carrier? Larger
carriers, intended for a larger or more than one pet, have
no handles. In that case, removable wheels and a pulling
strap can be purchased as accessories.
Locking mechanisms and plastic clips should be in good
working order. Nuts, bolts and screws can become loose over
time. Make sure they're tight.
A protruding rim on the outside of a hard carrier will
help ensure ventilation is not accidentally
blocked.
(2) Soft pet carriers
Some soft carriers are designed for traveling. If traveling
by air be sure to check with your airline carrier and get
specific instructions well in advance of your trip. Only
some airlines will allow you to bring a soft sided cat carrier
in the cabin with you.
These carriers are designed to fit under your seat. There
are no hard and fast rules - every airline has their own
regulations and requirements. Ensure the measurements they
give you are for soft pet carriers, not hard, as there is
often some confusion.
As you can see, some pinch latches
are sturdier than others.
Soft sided carriers should not collapse in the middle under
the weight of your pet. Some are framed and have supportive
rods running from top to bottom and corner to corner.
Soft carrier totes and bags are popular and
fashionable ...
however, small dogs might be better suited for
this type of carrier than cats. A dog's everyday lifestyle
usually includes exposure to public places such as parks
and busy sidewalks and most dogs are
used to car travel.
Do consider your cat's safety, disposition and comfort
level. Cats and dogs are really two different creatures
(but both lovable).
(3) Cardboard cat carriers
Cardboard cat carriers are not recommended.
A vet or animal shelter might provide you with one, as a
temporary means of transporting your pet, if you have no
cat carrier with you.
Frightened felines can panic and slice the cardboard. Your
pet might urinate. If you are traveling in wet weather,
the air holes allow water to penetrate the waxed cardboard.
Soggy cardboard will not protect your pet.
If you're on a budget, look for hard carriers at
thrift stores and garage sales. Give them a good clean,
disinfect them and check them for sturdiness.
Choosing the correct size carrier
For your pet's comfort, there should be enough room to
stand up, turn around, and lie down - but not so much that
your cat or dog will be bouncing around on a bumpy ride.
Add a blanket - if your cat is not full grown, add more
blankets or towels for extra padding.
Weigh and measure your pet. For height measure from the
floor to the top of the shoulder and length from the base
of the tail to the collarbone (where the collar would sit).
Allow room for food and water containers which are usually
attached to the inner door. For a long road trip, you might
need a small litter box too.
Getting your cat used to the carrier
I leave a cat carrier out, tucked in a corner. My cats
pop in and have a nap, and have made positive associations
with it. When I need to use it, I pop a cat in and away
we go.
If your cat is not used to the carrier, leave it out, give
it a "makeover" to make it appealing
to your cat. Add a favorite blanket, toys or treats and
chances are your cat will eventually be enjoying his new
hangout.
Travel Tips
Add identification to the cat carrier - with permanent
marker print your pet's name - and your name, address and
a phone number or two where you can easily be reached.
Some airlines will not accept pet carriers on wheels.
If traveling with your cat - carry its current (recently
updated) medical and vaccination records. You will need
to check for the specific requirements for the areas or
jurisdictions that you will be traveling through.
Airlines can have restrictions on the number of pets allowed
in the cabin or number of pets allowed in one carrier.
