Making sure you have something safe to carry your pet cat in as soon as you become their owner is essential. If your cat gets loose while you are transporting them, the chances of getting them back is low; especially if they are a new pet or if they go missing in an area they are not familiar with. Finding a secure cat carrier is very important. If you get a good one they often last at least your cat’s lifetime. 

Table of contents

Finding a cat carrier that is sturdy is important. 

Check how each clip attaches and make sure the material is not flimsy. You should try to only use these carriers in order to carry your cat as otherwise, you risk breaking your cat carrier making it unsuitable when you do need it. Check all clips are working. Check the base of the carrier is sturdy and attached firmly to the rest of the carrier. 

The front of the carrier can often be removed. So you should ensure that when it is attached, it is attached firmly. If your carrier is made from fabric, be sure to check all zips are fully functional and that the zip sits on the outside of the carrier rather than the inside so the cat cannot escape whilst playing with the zip.

Select a cat carrier that is the correct size. 

You want it to be large enough for your cat to fit in comfortably throughout its life – there is no point buying a cat carrier only suitable to the size of your kitten, so think ahead to how large you think your cat will be once fully grown. We strongly recommend putting just one cat in a cat carrier at one time. This avoids any conflict in an enclosed space, especially when cats may already be annoyed that they have been put into a cat carrier! 

If you plan on taking your cat on longer journeys than just to your local vets, you should make sure your cat feels comfortable being in their carrier and provide a larger space in which you can give them food, water and entertainment such as toys or scratching pads. 

You should ensure you choose a carrier which is easy to clean. 

Plastic is often much easier to quickly wipe down and disinfect, compared to fabric. Many cats do not enjoy being in their carriers and some suffer with travel sickness, which means they often need a very thorough clean following a car journey. You should clean your carrier as soon as you get home for hygiene reasons and also to prevent a lingering smell. You do not want your cat to associate the cat carrier with feeling sick and recurring smells can act as a reminder. Pregnant women should be careful when handling cat faeces – at least wear gloves, or if possible, get someone else to clear it up.

Decide what material you would prefer.

Fabric carriers may fray slightly, providing small pieces of thread which your cat may enjoy playing with. Because of this, these carriers may not last as long and could also become a risk to your pet’s health. If these small pieces of material are ingested, they can cause gastrointestinal upset and lead to intussusception. 

Making sure your cat carrier has adequate ventilation is important.

It will help to ensure your pet feels comfortable whilst they are inside it, and also that they have sufficient airflow, even in hot weather. There should be holes the entire way around the carrier. These holes should be relatively small to prevent vision, which will help to keep your cat calm. Cats enjoy being secluded.

Choose a carrier that is practical in day to day use.

Many cat carriers have a handle on the top. Check you feel comfortable holding the handle. There is no point in having a cat carrier which you struggle to carry!

Select a cat carrier that is easy to store. This is important because you want to be able to find and use your cat carrier in the case of an emergency. The most common time you will need the carrier is when you are taking your cat to the vets. Do not store anything else inside it so when you need it, it is ready to go.

They must be easy to open AND close and most importantly, you must be aware of how to close them securely (so your cat doesn’t escape), but also easy to open while at the vets, with openings at the front and at the top for easy access, so there isn’t a stressful struggle to get your cat out for an examination. Out of all the very important points mentioned above, we believe this is the most important. Your carrier needs to be able to safely carry your pet. 

You can often buy cat carriers second hand. Check social media pages and local charity shops for carriers which could have a new lease of life. 

Be sure to use our checklist when selecting your carrier – new or old! – to ensure it is fit for purpose.

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