FAQ: Carriers & Crates for cats

Leave it open at home with a blanket or a treat inside, so your cat links it with calm rather than only with travel.

A hard carrier is sturdier and easier to clean, a soft bag is lighter to carry. For flights, check the airline's requirements.

The cat should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably inside. A carrier about one and a half times the length of the cat's body, not counting the tail, usually works.

Yes, in an oversized carrier a cat slides around and bumps into the walls when the car brakes or turns. Many cats also feel safer in a snug space, so choose the right size rather than the biggest one.

Standard carriers are often too small for large cats, so look at carriers made for small dogs or large cats. Measure your cat's length and height and check the carrier's inside dimensions and weight limit.

Measure the cat's length from nose to the base of the tail and its height from the floor to the tips of its ears while standing. Add a few centimetres and compare with the carrier's inside dimensions, not the outside ones.

Each cat is usually best off with its own carrier: under stress even friendly cats may fight, and they are cramped together. Two small cats that get along can share a large carrier for a short trip, but airlines usually do not allow it.

A top door makes it much easier to lift a cat in and out, especially at the vet, where it can be examined almost without being pulled out. A front door suits cats that walk in on their own, so a carrier with both openings is the most versatile.

A removable top lets the vet examine the cat while it stays in the bottom half of its own carrier, which feels safer than being pulled out. It is also easier to clean and can be kept at home as an open bed.

A cardboard carrier is only fit for a very short one-off trip, such as bringing a cat home from a shelter. A cat can tear it, and it goes soft if soaked with urine or vomit, so for regular use a plastic or sturdy fabric carrier is better.

An expandable bag has side sections that zip open to make more room inside. It is handy on long trips or during stops, when the cat can be given more space, while it is best kept folded when on the move.

A carrier or bag with wheels and a pull-out handle is convenient in airports and stations and for heavier cats. Make sure the wheels roll smoothly, as strong vibration on paving frightens some cats.

Yes, carriers for small dogs suit cats as long as the size matches the cat. Check that the grille is fine enough, as a cat can push a paw through or even squeeze out of wider gaps.

Hard plastic is sturdy, waterproof and easy to wash, while fabric bags are lighter and softer to carry. Choose by how often and where you travel, and check that the base will not soak through.

Metal doors are stronger and cannot be chewed or bent by the cat, while plastic ones are lighter but a strong cat can push them out. If your cat tends to fight its way out, choose a carrier with a metal door and a secure latch.

There should be openings on at least two or three sides so air can flow even when one side is pressed against a seat or wall. Good ventilation matters most in warm weather and on longer trips.

Check that the door closes firmly and cannot be pushed open from inside, that the top and bottom halves are well fastened and that the handle is solid. There should be no sharp edges or protruding parts inside that could cut or trap the cat.

Some cats learn to wiggle simple latches or work a zip open by pushing a paw through a gap. If your cat is especially clever, choose a carrier with a double latch or lockable zips and check that everything is fastened before setting off.

A sturdy handle should sit in the centre so the carrier stays level and the cat is not thrown about. A shoulder strap makes longer carrying easier, but the bag should not swing or bump against your body.

A non-slip base helps the cat keep its footing on the move, and a leak-proof base holds urine or vomit so it does not run onto the seat or your clothes. In fabric bags, look for a firm, washable or water-resistant base.