Choose A Cat Carrier Or Crate?

Let Your Cat Travel In Style

How To Choose The Best Cat Carrier And Crate

All packed, ready to go, but forgotten about how your cat is going to travel?

This year, sees millions of us travelling in the UK to enjoy a staycation, a few days away or weekend breaks. Just as you may prepare a checklist for things to remember to pack for you and your family, it’s important to remember your pet’s requirements and that includes your cat transportation, whether this is to the local cattery or your cat is accompanying you to a new location.

Cats generally like to stay at home, they do not like to be removed from their territory and can bolt at new addresses as soon as the door is open and never been seen again. It’s an important decision to make if they accompany you or stay at home and to prepare in advance to avoid any disappearances.

If you’ve organised a pet sitter, you need to be prepared, not just with a supply of cat food, but for any eventuality, including emergency trips to the vet in your absence and where a cat carrier is essential.

Cats travelling in domestic vehicles must be secured and not allowed to roam freely in the vehicle where it may cause a distraction to the driver and lead to a possible accident. This is part of the Highway Code. Rule 57 Animal Welfare Rules. The carrier should be fastened into the back seat using seat belts for added protection or secured into the boot area.

Failure to do this may compromise your vehicle insurance and pet insurance, if you were involved in an accident.

2 important considerations when buying a cat crate or cat carrier

How is your cat expected to travel?

• A frequent flyer will require a hard case crate that the airline approves of to carry your cat in. They can refuse to transport your pet if you turn up at the airport with the wrong case.
• You will need to read all the rules about animal transportation before buying your travel ticket, be it with a ferry operator, airline, coach company to ensure you meet their animal welfare requirements during transportation, whether they require you to transport your cat by a crate or allow a cat carrier.

Is your pet likely to be transported many times during the year or just occasionally?

If you are a frequent traveller then a hard case would be more suitable being robust and can take many knocks and bumps – and conform to your favourite airlines requirements as well as being cost effective, not buying two different types of carrier.

Buy a crate or carrier?

Crates are generally made of solid walls, robust and can take knocks, with a strong metal grill door, spring lock system, allowing your pet to see out but the door close securely. They also include facilities to latch on water feeders and food feeders, necessary for longer trips.

Soft carriers are made of strong yet subtle fabrics suitable for transporting a cat. The carrier should be able to take a weight of 10lbs – 4.5 kg with ease, the average weight of a cat and have strong handles and most importantly have a view panel for your cat to see out and allow air to circulate.

Stitching should be strong and a sponge-able, washable base to the carrier is ideal allowing cleaning. Some soft carriers provide detachable shoulder straps, particularly suitable for owners who are walking, travelling by trains and buses, for hands free, easier transportation.

• Larger cats may need a large size crate or carrier, so it’s important to double check sizes before purchasing.
• Kittens will grow and unless a large sized breed, a standard crate or carrier should be sufficient for their requirements.

Our specially chosen product for this week is the perfect cat carrier/crate

Check the features of the Catit Cabrio in the following slideshow >

Tips to help your cat travel well

Cats do not like being removed from familiar surroundings and can easily become distressed. Buy your preferred cat carrier or crate in advance and leave it at home, open, accessible, with a soft blanket on the base, so they can roam around, sleep in it, familiarise themselves fully with it before you need to use it.

• Ensure your cat is not fed for a few hours before travelling on journeys, so as to help prevent travel sickness.
• Try and encourage your cat to use their litter tray before putting them into carriers or crates.
• Try some trial runs in your vehicle before taking your cat on a long journey to get them used to being in the crate or carrier.
• For longer journeys, cats may meow for a few minutes and then generally calm down and start sleeping. Don’t wake them when asleep during the journey.
• If travelling by car, bus or train, do not place the carrier in direct sunlight. Use shades if in a car and air conditioning to keep the temperature ambivalent.
• Severe heat exhaustion can kill your pet. Being in a small confined space will make the carrier hotter than normal. Ensure the carrier is positioned for maximum ventilation.
• On arrival at your destination, take care not to have any doors or windows open in the building when you let your cat out of their carrier so they do not escape in a panic.
• Ensure they are shown where their litter tray is located and provide them fresh water and a small meal which will make them feel more comfortable.

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