FAQ: Carriers & Crates for cats

With a sturdy, well-fastened carrier, yes, but with a heavy cat or an old carrier it is risky: if the latches give, the base can come away from the top. Support a heavier carrier from underneath, especially on stairs.

A collar is not needed in a carrier and can even catch on the grille, so a well-fitted harness is usually advised instead. If your cat wears a collar, it should have a safety breakaway release.

Do not chase it, as it may run further: stay calm, call softly, and place its carrier with familiar bedding and food nearby. Report it missing to local shelters, vet clinics and the microchip register.

Keeping a cat in a carrier for a long time without moving around, a litter tray or water is not advisable. When stopping overnight, let it out in a safe room with a tray, water and food, and leave the carrier open as a hiding place.

A healthy adult cat can usually manage several hours in a carrier without much trouble, if it is offered water and kept calm. On longer trips plan stops with a chance to drink and use a litter tray, and ask your vet about kittens, seniors and ill cats.

First let the cat sit in its carrier in the parked car with the engine off, then with it running, then drive for a few minutes around the block and come home to a treat. This teaches the cat that a trip does not always end at the vet.

Put the carrier in a quiet, closed room, open the door and let the cat come out on its own when it is ready. Do not pull or tip it out, and place water, food and a litter tray nearby.

Yes, if the cat is in its own closed carrier and the dog is secured separately where it cannot reach or bark right at the carrier. Place the cat's carrier as far from the dog as possible so the cat feels safer.

It is easiest with two light carriers with shoulder straps, or one on the shoulder and the other in your hand. Carriers on wheels or multi-pet trolleys are worth considering if you often travel with several cats.

Yes, there are bags and carriers with a divider for two small pets. They only suit cats that get along well, and each compartment must be roomy enough to stand up and turn around.

Some carriers and bags are crash tested, and the description says so. If you drive often it is worth looking for this, but even an ordinary carrier is far safer than a loose cat, provided it is firmly secured.

A light-coloured carrier heats up less in the sun and shows dirt more easily, while a darker one gives more shade inside. For the cat, ventilation, size and a familiar smell matter more than colour.

Side pockets are handy for documents, treats, wipes and a lead, so everything is within reach. Check that the pockets do not cover the ventilation mesh and that they close securely.

Yes, a removable, washable mat is much easier to look after than a sewn-in one. If the mat is fixed, carry an extra absorbent pad you can swap during a trip.

Not always: what matters most is that the carrier is the right size, sturdy, well ventilated and easy to open for your cat and the way you travel. A simple plastic carrier often does the job just as well as fancier models.

Prepare as for a vet visit: a carrier with an absorbent pad, the cat's own bedding and a calm arrival without waiting near other animals. A freshly clipped cat may feel colder, so in cold weather cover the carrier or add warmer bedding.

For shows, sturdy, well-ventilated carriers or bags the cat can rest in comfortably for a longer time are common, as travel and waiting take a while. Ask the show organisers about requirements for pens or carriers at the venue.

Yes, if the cat is used to the backpack and a harness, and the hike is not too long or too hot. Bring water, take breaks in the shade and only let the cat out on a harness and lead.

Yes, a cat that knows its carrier as a bed often takes shelter in it when frightened by noise. Leave it open in a quiet room, drape a blanket over it and do not shut the door, so the cat can come out when it wants.

Take each cat in its own carrier and place the carriers so the cats cannot see each other if they are tense. At the clinic, ask whether both can be seen in the same room to avoid a long wait.