FAQ: Carriers & Crates for cats

Yes, a short inner tether clipped to the cat's harness stops it from jumping out when you open the backpack or a zip comes open by accident. Clip it only to a harness, never to a collar, so the cat cannot hurt its neck.

It is risky: in a fall the cat would be hurt along with you, and speed, vibration and noise are very stressful for it. If you do travel this way, go slowly, on quiet routes, and only with a cat that is calm and used to the backpack.

Some airlines accept soft backpacks if they meet the size limits and fit under the seat, but many bubble backpacks are too tall. Check the airline's rules and measure the backpack before you fly.

It can, if the cat is calm in it, but getting a frightened cat out through a narrow opening at the clinic is often harder than with a carrier whose top comes off. Many owners find it easiest to have both for different situations.

On a long trip, a flight or wherever the cat will have to be taken out, a harness and lead add safety in case it tries to escape. Get the cat used to the harness at home beforehand and check that it fits snugly.

A stroller is handy for outings with older cats or cats that will not walk, and often has a detachable basket that doubles as a carrier. For the car and the vet you still need a closed carrier or bag that can be strapped in.

Kittens grow fast, so it is often worth buying a carrier sized for the adult cat straight away and padding it with soft bedding or a folded towel while the kitten is small, so it slides around less. Check that the grille gaps are narrow enough that the kitten cannot squeeze out.

The earlier the easier: in the first weeks in its new home, leave the carrier open as one of its beds. Young kittens accept new things more readily, so good early experiences with the carrier make later vet visits much easier.

Ask the breeder or shelter for a piece of cloth that smells of the kitten's mother or its previous home and put it in the carrier. Drive calmly, keep it warm but not hot, and do not take the kitten out during the trip even if it cries.

Small kittens struggle to keep warm, so in cold weather warm up the car beforehand and add thicker bedding. Only use heat pads or hot water bottles if they are wrapped and placed so the kitten can move away from them.

Young littermates are often calmer together on a short trip, as long as there is room for all of them to lie down. As they grow they take up more space and may start squabbling, and then separate carriers are better.

Older cats often have sore joints, so choose a carrier with a wide opening or a removable top so the cat does not have to be bent, and add a thick, soft pad. Drive especially smoothly and watch that the cat is neither too cold nor too hot.

After surgery a cat may be drowsy and unsteady, so use a carrier where it can lie stretched out on a clean, soft pad and can be lifted in from above. Follow the vet's advice on the protective collar and care in the first hours.

A wide cone may mean the cat needs a larger carrier so it can turn and lie down without catching it. A top-opening carrier lets you put the cat in without squeezing the cone through a narrow door.

Choose a low carrier with a removable top and a soft, non-slip base, so the cat can be laid down rather than pushed in. Absorbent pads and spare bedding help if the cat has trouble controlling its bladder or bowels.

A pregnant cat needs a roomier carrier and a very calm, smooth journey, so avoid moving her unless necessary. Transport a mother with young kittens all together in a large carrier with warm bedding, so she can nurse and warm them.

Choose a sturdy carrier with a removable top and a metal door, so you do not have to put your hands close to the cat. Cover the carrier, speak calmly and warn the vet in advance so they can prepare for the examination.

Stray cats are often very frightened and can bite or scratch badly, so humane box traps that the cat walks into are used to catch them. If using an ordinary carrier, cover it and do not open it until you reach a safe place; ask an animal welfare group for help with trapping.

Signs of severe stress include constant loud meowing or yowling, open-mouth breathing, heavy drooling, trembling, vomiting or trying to force the door. Open-mouth breathing is not normal in cats, so if it keeps happening or does not settle after a rest, contact a vet.

Open-mouth breathing is not normal for a cat: it can signal severe stress, overheating or a health problem. Stop somewhere cool, improve ventilation and contact a vet straight away if the cat does not settle quickly.