4 Different Types of Cat Carriers
Before choosing a cat carrier please be mindful if you are leaving your cat at a Cattery the cat must be in a sturdy carrier with a working door or zips if you have the canvas type. The reason being if the cat needs to be taken to the vet or we need to evacuate it may need to be done in a hurry and often the cats are not cooperative in the cattery environment.
If you’ve started looking for a carrier for your beloved cat, you might be shocked to see all the types there are available to you on the market. Since you probably want your cat to be comfortable, and its comfort will make whatever trip you’re taking easier, you’ll likely want to put some thought into this important decision, especially since carriers can be expensive.
There are quite a few different cat carriers on the market, with an almost infinite number of different models, features, and manufacturers. However, these cat carriers can be organized into several categories, then further subdivided according to materials used and features available. Read on to find out all about the four types of cat carriers and how to choose one!
Cardboard Cat Carriers – Not suitable for bringing cats to Catteries
When you adopt a cat from a rescue center, or you get a kitten from a breeder, odds are you’ll receive a disposable cardboard carrier from them to carry your new pet in. The actual product isn’t anymore glamorous than its name sounds; it’s just a cardboard box with a handle and some holes in it for breathing.
Cardboard carriers are great for one-time use, and they’ll hold up reasonably well for a kitten, but they aren’t going to work for a long-term cat carrier solution. Here are just a few of the disadvantages of a cardboard carrier:
- Doesn’t stand up well to urine, water, or other liquids
- Won’t stand up to a cat determined to scratch, claw, or escape
- Too small to line with pillows or other cat comforts
- If it rains, your cardboard box is pretty much useless
Although they’re relatively sturdy, it’s only a matter of time before a cardboard cat carrier isn’t able to be used anymore for your cat. If you have a small kitten, you may be able to get a couple of uses out of it, but as your cat grows and its claws get sharper, you’ll probably have to find a new carrier.
Summary – Cardboard Cat Carriers | |
Pros | Cons |
Inexpensive | Won’t hold up to rain, urine, or other liquids |
The short-term solution for getting a new pet home | Won’t hold up to scratching or clawing |
Could be used a couple of times for a kitten | Too small for pillows or other comfort items |
Soft Nylon Carrier – not suitable for bringing cats to Catteries
Next up on the list is a soft carrier, specifically one made from nylon. There’s also a version made from something called ballistic nylon; we’ll see in a little bit whether that means your cat will be safe from a hail of bullets (hint, probably not). Nylon carriers are lightweight, snug, and pet- and owner-friendly, but you might run into some issues with cats that aren’t calm travelers.
Nylon cat carriers are relatively inexpensive, and another great benefit is that when they’re not in use, you can fold them up and store them without taking up a lot of storage space. You can also easily use them to travel, especially by plane, as when your cat is out, you can fold up the carrier and stow it in luggage.
Nylon cat carriers usually have plenty of pockets available on the insides and outsides so you can have space to put treats, toys, or favorite items, so your cat feels as at-home as possible.
If you’re interested, here are five great options for cat carriers currently listed on Amazon. The table below shows the carrier, the price range, and some of the additional features that make it a good choice for a cat-lover interested in a nylon carrier.
Name | Price Range | Features |
$20-$30 | Suitable for small cats and/or dogs fit under an airline seat, mesh windows for ventilation, variety of colors available | |
$35-$40 | Machine washable, metal-frame for rigidity, top-load, scratch-resistant nylon, interior leash hook | |
$30-$40 | Multiple entrances, mesh windows for ventilation, durable to withstand scratching, comfortable to wear and carry for long periods | |
$12-$17 | Lightweight, minimalist design, fully collapsible, breathable mesh sides, easily stored and cleaned | |
$30-$40 | Sides fold out for larger space, fleece bed, rigid frame, multiple entry points, and breathable mesh walls |
One thing to keep in mind when choosing a nylon carrier is to make sure it doesn’t sag under your pet’s weight. If you’re looking in a store, set a few heavy things inside and see if it sags. If it does, choose a different one; your cat will be uncomfortable if they use that carrier.
Another consideration is to make sure your nylon cat carrier can withstand claws or scratches; you don’t want your cat to put a hole in it if it gets nervous during travel!
Nylon carriers are often airline compliant, so your furry friend can travel under your seat with you; they conform to normal carry-on sizes, so you don’t have to worry about your cat having a bad trip. They’re also easy to wash as you can just throw them in the laundry when they get soiled or dirty.
Hard Plastic Carriers – Safest type for bringing cats to Catteries and Vets ensure it is in good condition and the door is working
If you decide a nylon carrier won’t meet your needs, you can look at the traditional hard cat carriers that are made from plastic. This carrier is more like a home away from home, and many people use them at home to give their cat a “safe space” where they can go when they get stressed or nervous.
These types of carriers are very easy to clean; all you need to do is take out the fabric materials you might have inside, take it outside, and spray it down. They also offer more protection to your cat if you’re traveling on an airline or in a car; if something is loose and falls on the carrier, a plastic carrier will help keep your cat safe.
When you’re looking for a hard plastic cat carrier, there are a few things you should take into consideration before making your selection. These factors include:
- Size – make sure it’s big enough for your cat, but not too big. Cats like small spaces, so a carrier that’s too big may make it nervous. Most carriers have a recommended cat size.
- Hardware – plastic cat carriers should have metal hardware (door, hinges, locks, handle, etc.). If they use plastic, they may break.
- Handle – pick up the carrier and make sure the handle feels sturdy to you. You don’t want it to break while you’re carrying your cat.
- Space for food/water – some carriers have spots specifically for food and water, but most of the time, you’ll just be placing a couple of small dishes in the carrier.
- Ventilation – make sure your cat carrier has enough air holes or adequate ventilation for your cat.
- Airline regulations – In Australia cats travel in the cargo hold and they must be in an airline approved hard plastic carrier with a steel mesh door and nuts and bolts holding the two halve together they are available as PP20 or PP30 carrier on line or at the airport.
Hard plastic carriers aren’t all pros, though. They are usually more expensive than nylon carriers, and they’re larger and bulkier, so not as good for walking with. They also take up a lot more storage space in your house.
Just as we did for the nylon carriers, here are four good choices for hard plastic cat carriers currently available on Amazon, with their name, price range, and some of their best features.
Name | Price Range | Features |
|
|
|
K9 Pet Carrier Airline Approved PP20 Small
| $79.99 | Simple one-hand clips, ergonomic handle, air travel guidelines approved, ventilation for your cat |
Petbarn Playmate Airline Spec Open Top Pet Carrier White Grey Small
| $79.99 (depending on size) | Heavy-duty construction, metal hardware, |
Kogan Pet Carrier Dog Cat Portable Tote Crate Kennel Travel Carry Bag Airline Approved-Skyblue-s
| $50.99 | Light weight design |
Target
Also have a plastic crate with metal fittings | $20.00 | Light weight design |
If you’re on the market for a durable cat carrier that provides some extra protection to your cat while you’re traveling, you might be looking for a hard carrier. The traditional plastic carrier will give your cat a home away from home feel, and it’s easy to train your cat prior to traveling to see the kennel as its home and safe space.
Another benefit of these types of carriers is that if you ever have to put your cat into a Gold Coast or Queensland cattery, you can just bring their hard carrier with them. While they may get nervous about being in a new place, their cat carrier can provide them a safe place to retreat and recover from new or excessive stimuli.
Summary – Hard Plastic Cat Carriers | |
Pros | Cons |
Use at home to get your cat used to being kenneled | Can get expensive based on durability |
Easily washable | Large and more difficult to store |
Hard plastic provides your cat with extra protection | Many are too bulky to carry while walking |
Well ventilated | Can be uncomfortable without extra bedding |
Hard Wire Mesh Carriers – Not suitable for bringing cats to Catteries
Your final option for a cat carrier is a wire mesh carrier, which is essentially just a small portable cage. However, most people find that these don’t offer any sort of advantage over plastic carriers, so you’ll see those types of hard carriers much more often. Instead of being used for travel, these types of carriers are often in use as at-home kennels.
It’s honestly not typical to cage a cat, but there are a few instances where you might want to; for instance, when you first bring home a kitten and are trying to train it to use the litter box, or if you’re trying to tame a feral cat. You might also do it if you have multiple cats, and one has a communicable disease, and you want to quarantine the infectious cat.
Likewise, your cat may encounter a wire cage at your local kennel, so if you have a wire carrier at home, your cat might be more comfortable and at ease. These cages are among the most durable of cat carriers, and they often also fold up smaller for easy storage.
However, wire mesh carriers are difficult to move around, as they’re typically boxy and awkward to carry. They do usually have handles, so in a pinch, you could use it as a cat carrier. It’s much better suited to just being a kennel at home to help your cat get some separation from the rest of your house as well as keep it crated when you need it to be.
There aren’t too many options on the market for cat cages, but the ones you’d use for a small dog would also be suitable for a cat. Just remember that cats like small spaces, so you want to get one that’s designed for smaller dogs, so your cat feels at home.
Summary – Wire/Metal Cat Carriers | |
Pros | Cons |
Use at home to get your cat used to being kenneled | Not suitable for use long-term |
Sturdy and durable | Not very portable |
Often fold down for storage |
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Good for training your cat to use the litter box or taming a feral cat |
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Other Uses for Cat Carriers
You’ll find that there are plenty of great uses for cat carriers besides just taking it to the vet or bringing it on a long journey. While cats usually prefer to roam around your home, they sometimes are comforted by having a place that’s just theirs. If you leave their cat carrier out, they can go into it when they’re feeling stressed or uneasy.
Here’s just a few of the great uses that cat carriers can have apart from the obvious:
Keeping your cat from wandering off your property
- Litter training a new kitten
- Quarantine sick cats
- Introduce a new cat to the home
- Tame a wild cat that’s been rescued
What to Do if Your Cat Hates the Crate
If you’ve got a cat carrier and your cat refuses to go inside, don’t despair. You’ve got some options on how you can coax your cat inside. Once you’ve got your cat inside a few times, it will likely start to love its new kennel, but that first introduction can be challenging. Here’s what you can do if your cat hates the crate.
- Leave the carrier open and let your cat roam in and out freely
- Spray a pheromone spray like Feliway inside to help calm your cat
- Put a favorite treat in the carrier for your cat
- Make sure it’s comfortable with some of your cat’s favorite bedding
- Place the carrier in a favorite spot, like a sunny spot for napping
Other Factors
There are a few other things you should think about when you’re purchasing a cat carrier for your beloved, Ms. Kitty. Here they are, in no particular order:
Size
Your cat should be snug inside the carrier but with a little room to move around—cats like small spaces. Most cat carriers have a recommended size, and you should go off the measurements of your cat, not necessarily the weight. However, if you’re buying a soft carrier, make sure it can hold the approximate weight of your cat without sagging.
Negative Experiences
If you’ve used a cat carrier in the past and your cat had a negative experience, like possibly the vet, your cat may have a negative reaction to cat carriers in general. If that’s the case, you’ll have to get your cat reacquainted with them, and you might need to get a different type than the one you’ve had in the past.
Extra Features
Some other features for travel carriers might include detachable water dishes, solutions for litter boxes, and easy-wash pillows, pads, or similar comfort items. Evaluate your options based on these additional features to make sure your furry friend gets the best treatment possible!
Closing Thoughts
If you have a cat and you need a carrier, you might be well served to have more than one and having a soft carrier and a hard carrier, since they’re each good for different applications and situations. The soft carriers, in particular, are nice because they don’t take up a lot of space, and they’re very inexpensive.
Whatever your decision, choosing a good cat carrier will help keep your cat calm during travels and keep both you and your cat happy for trips. A good carrier will even help you drop your cat off at a cat carer’s place for your next Gold Coast vacation if you’re able to get your cat used to having its carrier as a second home.
