Feline Pet Carriers

Feline pet carriers are an essential piece of equipment for a cat owner, ensuring that your cat arrives at his destination happily and safely.

Carriers are essential for safe cat travel

Cats are often strong willed and independent creatures. It is these qualities that make them such individual and endearing pets, but these same qualities also mean that traveling with your cat can be a challenge. Although a dog may quite happily sit quietly as instructed in the car, cats often have their own ideas that they fully intend to put into practice. This can result in cats wandering off in unfamiliar territory and getting lost, or becoming distressed and unhappy during the journey.

Even if you don’t intend to travel far with your cat, there is always the occasional trip to the veterinarian, perhaps a house move, or other essential journeys. The shortest journey can be a challenge to both owner and cat if a proper feline pet carrier is not used. A cat carrier ensures that your cat can safely be transported to his destination, without the risk of him running off or becoming distressed.

There are a wide variety of pet carriers available. The choice is largely based upon you tastes, the planned journey and your cat’s requirements.

Most carriers are fully enclosed with just ventilation holes and a sturdy wire gate. This gives your cat a safe, cozy environment. Very open carriers can cause distress to a cat. While an open carrier allows him to see out, the changing scenery that passes before the cat’s eyes can make him confused and unhappy. Most experts agree that animals of all types travel better in dark and enclosed environments as this gives them a sense of security.

Pet carriers today are typically made from an easy to clean plastic. These sturdy carriers are particularly useful for cats, whose sharp claws can damage soft carriers. Traditional cat carriers were made from wicker. These are still available, however are less easy to clean and disinfect.

Another type of carrier is the soft-sided carrier. These carriers are often designed to look like sports or tote bags and can be an attractive choice. Soft-sided carriers generally have removable inside panels that can be taken out and washed. Many cat owners, however, prefer the more solid cat carrier for longer trips.

The following websites offer a selection of cat carriers in different styles and materials.

• Doctors Foster and Smith offer a wide selection of carriers.
• Trixie and Peanut carry beautiful designer pet carriers.
• Hands n Paws sell airline approved carriers.

Whenever possible, it is useful to get your cat used to his cat carrier before using it for the first time. This is especially important before long trips, where it will be more relaxing for the cat if he is happy in his carrier. The carrier is also extremely useful for trips to the vet. These trips are stressful at the best of times. If your cat feels that his carrier is only used as part of the vet experience, he may well disappear every time he sees it.

There are a few key things that you can do to help familiarize your cat with his carrier.

• Put one of your cat's favorite blankets in the carrier so he is familiar with the smell and feel.
• Place a couple of interesting toys in the carrier to divert your cat's attention, and perhaps hang a toy from the door.
• After disinfecting the carrier, ensure that it is rinsed well to remove some of the smell of disinfectant that can remind your cat of the vet.

Cat carriers are extremely important when introducing kittens to a household. Taking a carrier to pick up the kitten ensures that he is bought back to his new home in safe conditions. While it is tempting to cuddle the new kitten throughout the journey, it is safer for all concerned for him to be tucked in his new carrier.

The kitten will also become familiar with his feline pet carrier early on, and this can be used as a safe place for him within his new home. This is particularly useful for kittens that are being introduced to houses with young children, dogs and other cats. The kitten can be shut in his carrier and given some quiet time to relax.

• Don’t use the carrier as somewhere to put your cat if he has been naughty. It is important that your cat feels that the carrier is a safe and relaxing place to be and that it is not a form of punishment.
• Do keep the carrier clean. Wash it after each use so it is ready for the next journey.
• Do keep the carrier somewhere where it is easy to find. If the carrier is required in an emergency, the last thing you need to do during a stressful time is hunt high and low.
• Don’t be swayed by high fashion carriers. These may look great, but how practical are they going to be in practice?
• Do research any requirements of airlines before taking your cat on a plane. They often have very specific cat carrier standards that need to be followed.

A cat carrier ensures that you and your cat can travel in safety at any time and that both short and long journeys become a pleasure for all concerned.

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