Carry On Pussycat (Cat Carriers in general)

Member Name: BizzyB

Product:	Cat Carriers in general
Date:	18/01/02 (5016 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cats MUST travel in safety

Disadvantages: Accidents will happen!

Ah cat carriers, if there's one thing I do a lot of it's carrying cats! And I certainly carry an array of cats as having my own cats, a foster unit and doing fieldwork I've come across every feline temperament going. I hope some of my experiences may help other cat owners and workers when transporting cats and kittens.

First off - a cardboard box or holdall is NOT a cat carrier. Only in an extreme emergency such as transporting a cat that's been in a road traffic accident and is knocked out/injured should a cat be placed in a sturdy, open topped box but not as a matter of routine.

There a number of designs of cat carrier you can use. Most people will purchase one for their own pets use but I have all kinds of carriers that have been purchased or donated to our Cats Protection so have found that each has their pros and cons. Here's a brief over view.

A cardboard carrier:
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These should only be seen as a temporary solution. Often on sale at vets and animal shelters they are good for making that first journey before buying a permanent carrier for your cat. They are remarkably sturdy and should have adequate air holes. However, there are two major disadvantages. Firstly, the cat cannot see out of the box and contrary to belief for many animals being able to see out is less stressful than not. Secondly, they are not durable. Cardboard has a lifespan and cats have bladders - the two do not mix. A nervous cat or kitten may have a wee on the journey and this will weaken the box and obviously it is not a material you can wash out.


Enclosed baskets:
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These baskets have solid sides and a wire mesh 'door'. The most common materials for these are cane, fibreglass and moulded plastic. These carriers are well suited to the more relaxed, domesticated cat. The solid sides give them privacy and protection from the outside world. Cats rar
ely relish seeing the canine patients waiting at the vets! The mesh door allows them some control over their environment and they can see you. The door also provides good ventilation. The disadvantage of a solid sided carrier is for the more nervous cat in my experience. Whilst the darkness settles them initially it is also conducive to the feeling of hiding and isolation. This can make the cat difficult to handle. There is only one exit, your happy cat may come out of its own accord or be easily guided out by tipping the carrier gently up. But for the nervous cat it is a different matter, they will do everything to cower to the back of the basket, put your hand in to get it out and more than likely the claw as will be out. For this reason this type of carrier is not my first choice when transporting feral cats or strays who's temperament I have not determined yet. It is also not the first choice for my own cat Taz who can be a very nervous cat. On the other hand Bobbin is well suited to this carrier as she is confident enough in herself and me not to be unduly scared and having been a rescue cat in my nursing unit she has become accustomed to visiting the vet regularly.

Another disadvantage of this style may not be apparent at first. With all these carriers I strongly recommend you line them with newspaper and a piece of material. A good liner is an old t-shirt of yours which will be both comfortable and carry your familiar smell which will help the cat feel at ease. This lining makes for a more comfortable journey for you cat and helps if there's any accidents on the way. If accidents do occur cats have a wonderful ability to aim at the most awkward spot! Now think cane/whicker baskets and think poo - not a great combination, especially if the cat has diarrohea.

The moulded plastic/fibreglass carriers have a distinct advantage here as they are obviously easy to clean out when accidents do happen. The design of most mould
ed plastic carriers is you unclip the top of the carrier. This makes cleaning much easier. But you must take a good look at the quality of this type of carrier. Too many times I have seen poorly made moulded plastic carriers where the clips soon break or stick. Test them in the shop first - do they feel brittle and creaky. Some of these carriers sell for as low as £10 but I would be wary and test them first. It may be better for your purse in the long run to buy a more expensive model that will last.


Wire Mesh Carriers:
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These are my favourite carriers as they are so versatile. These look like mini-cages, not at all fancy which is why some people give them a miss but don't go by appearance alone. These carriers are top loading, in other words they have a lid and the cat is lowered into the carrier. With many 'frisky' cats this may be a problem and if your cat is a master of widening itself a side loading carrier as described above may be better but if you consider I've been able to get the most bad tempered feral into this style you will manage ably with you cutesy pet.

These carriers often come with a bottom, plastic liner to make a solid bottom for the cat and easier cleaning. As with the carriers above once again you should put a layer of newspaper and material in the bottom, even without a liner this will provide a suitable base.

The mesh sides have the advantage of being strong and secure whilst allowing the cat to have full vision. I have found my own cat Taz and many strays and ferals I've picked up prefer this. Whether this is a male thing or liking to survey their terriority I wouldn't like to say. If they are in an area such as a waiting room where other animals it is easy to slip a coat or cloth over the basket.

A great advantage of the mesh carrier is they are easy to clean - outside and blast them with the hosepipe after which they soon dri
p dry. Because of the plastic coating the mesh they should not rust and this is something to look out for if you buy second hand. If a mesh carrier has been heavily used and abused some of the coating may be scrapped off and the wire underneath will rust.

Bought from new these carriers are about £25 and the best place to find them is as vet's surgeries, pet shops seem to push the more aesthetic moulded carriers. It does seem expensive but they certainly last well. Extra long mesh carriers can be bought which have the added benefit of doubling as an introduction house for kittens as they have plenty of room for kittens to sit in whilst other members of the household get accustomed to their smell. The larger carriers are often suitable to transport two kittens or smaller cats that are well accustomed to each other - I would not suggest you travel cats together who aren't kin from birth or totally at ease with one another. Even cats that seem quite happy together can get stroppy when made to share a carrier which is often a stressful situation.


Specialist Carriers:
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Pet owners will not require this form of carrier but they are often used by vets and animal welfare workers. These carriers are often referred to as restrainers or crush cages - not as horrific as they sound so don't panic! They look like a regular wire cage but with some useful additions. As well as having a top loading lid they also have a side loading entrance with a sliding up and down side. Secondly, they have a wire mesh side within the cage that can be pulled forward - this reduces the size of the cage and when the cat is in it restrains it. These are useful in the case of feral cats which cannot be handled safely. By pulling the restrainer the cat can be confined in the cage whilst medication is administered.


Some hints and tips:
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Carriers are often associated with a vi
sit to the vet which often doesn't go down to well with your furry friend. One way of getting around this association is to leave the carrier around the house now and them, maybe with some treats inside. If a cat is due to travel a lot some people take their cats out for a short ride in the carrier and come home to a special treat. This way the cat doesn't think the carrier is always an omen of the vet. As I mentioned before putting something with a familiar smell in the carrier helps such as a piece of your clothing or a favourite toy.

Some cats just hate the carrier. One way of letting their dislike be known is via noise, meowing and crying. Try to ignore this as much as possible and continue to talk to them in a quiet voice. Do not be tempted to get the cat out or put food in. If you know in advance you'll be taking the cat in the carrier only give it a light meal a few hours beforehand otherwise it may be vomit you're clearing up!

Some cats are travel sick. Once again don't give them anything to eat for a while beforehand but make sure they have plenty of water available. Some vets will prescribe travelsickness tablets - I have tried these on a cat of mine that was very car sick, and still he threw up. Some vets may suggest a slight sedative - this is something which must only be prescribed by your vet after consultation.

For those cats going further afield, such as travel by sea or air you will need to buy or hire a special transport cage of a certain size depending on your cat(s). Once again this is best discussed with you vet who will give you advice. There's useful advice on transporting pets on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/pr ocedures/support-info/welfcarr.s html

Happy travelling!

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