Pet Carriers: a false economy?

duchy

Another vote for a proper cat carrier here. I've had a cat escape from a box in-transit too-and it isn't pretty or safe (for either you or the cat) !!

liz545

I have a solid carrier for my cat, but it can be really heavy to carry when he's in it, and as I have to take him on the bus when we go to the vet, it's a bit of a pain. I've been thinking about getting one of the fabric hold-all types, like this: http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_carriers_travel/cat_bags_travel/13398 are they any good?

steve_r123

I've got a 'proper' one for my cat, and when he is not being chauffered about in it, I take the door off it, and he likes to sleep in it. I think because of the bars down the side, he can see you, but he thinks you cant see him.

As he is in and out of it all the time, he has zero stress when it is time to go to the vets and you have to get him in the carrier.

LuciferTDark

Plastic carrier here too, I tried a cardboard one & the cat clawed it to death. What I have found though to keep him calmer is to put an old jumper of mine in with him, he'll curl up in it & go to sleep until he relises where we're going & start howling.

SnowyOwl_2

I tried to "make do" with a cardboard carrier when I first got my cats yonks ago. My big tubby Oscar fell out of the bottom of it at the vet's. OK he was a bit heavy, but just as well it happened indoors rather than out on the street when I was carrying him in.

Buy a good carrier - big enough for the cat to stand up in, with a little water beaker thing if possible for long journeys, and test the door to make sure it is secure. It's a one time spend if you buy a good one that is big enough.

BTW I say to test the door, I once had one that had a door that was quite loose even with the snib things turned the right way. It fell off when my neighbour's kitty was inside. That carrier hit the bin pdq, I wouldn't even have considered car booting it.

Shop around, lots of places sell them from Argos to high street pet shops to warehouse type pet shops to online to lots of veterinary centres.

xxpollyxx

I'd definatley get a plastic one. Try 'Freecycle', I've recently given one away on there.

misscomickat

Thanks for the replies. I moved my cat on Monday night (before I had read the replies), and used the cardboard carrier. I had lined it with carpet.

She was really scared, and on the 15 mile journey, she was sick and then she did a poo It smelled, and I felt sorry for her being stuck in there. She was howling, and then she was panting, as though she was having some sort of panic attack.

She seems ok now though, as soon as she got out of the box and had a drink she seemed a lot better.

The box is ok too, undamaged, but I threw the carpet away!

I will get a proper carrier the next time though.

LizD_2

I got a cat-carrier for my guinea pigs from freecycle, so give that a go.

SnowyOwl_2

misscomickat wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I moved my cat on Monday night (before I had read the replies), and used the cardboard carrier. I had lined it with carpet.

She was really scared, and on the 15 mile journey, she was sick and then she did a poo It smelled, and I felt sorry for her being stuck in there. She was howling, and then she was panting, as though she was having some sort of panic attack.

She seems ok now though, as soon as she got out of the box and had a drink she seemed a lot better.

The box is ok too, undamaged, but I threw the carpet away!

I will get a proper carrier the next time though.

You have my sympathy regards the journey! When I moved from England to Ireland I brought my three cats in the car with me. They all peed, pooed and puked at least once each on the way. Cats do get car sick and nervous as they don't know what is going on. It wasn't the most pleasant journey for me or for them but at least they were safe and with me. Glad you got your kitty moved safely too. Maybe have a look round car boots and/or freecycle for a cat carrier, they are useful to have just in case of an unforeseen trip to the vet or whatever.

Sola

We have 3 metal ones and a plastic one. Personally I prefer the plastic one which has a solid base; we line it with newspaper and an old towel, and any 'accidents' don't leak out or slosh around.