Finding The PURR-fect cat carrier...

Lately, we have been seeing some concerns with kitties and their carriers! They're too small, too flimsy, too smelly, or - there aren't enough of them!! So let's talk about how to find the PURR-fect cat carrier for your cat!

What makes a GOOD cat carrier?

• LARGE - as a golden rule, cats should be able to stand up, and turn around comfortably (without touching the sides) in their carrier. However, it also shouldn't be TOO large (like a large dog crate) where they won't feel secure. Gotta get the size just right for your kitty!
• STURDY - cats need to feel secure in their carrier! Hard plastic or quality mesh/fabric carriers help them feel more stable! It is also helpful to consider HOW you carry their carrier! Carry them from the bottom so the 'floor' of the carrier is level to the ground and they aren't banging into door frames on accident! ​

• FAMILIAR - try and avoid using the same carrier for multiple cats! Their carrier should be familiar to them, and smell like them! A dirty carrier from the garage that only comes out on the scary vet day isn't going to be as familiar to them as a soft, clean carrier they can choose to go in and out of in their day to day life at home, and already has their smell! ​It is especially important when you have multiple kitties that they each have their own carrier, especially in case of emergency!
• EASY ENTRY/EXIT - carriers with multiple doors (ie, a top opening as well as a side door) make it easier for kitties to enter and exit their carrier! Being able to remove the top can also be helpful at the vet for the vet to examine them inside their carrier if they don't want to come out!

So what makes a not so good cat carrier...?

• TOO SMALL - a lot of carriers sold in stores these days are way too small! When shopping for a new carrier for your kitty, make sure they have enough space to stand/turn around comfortably! You may have better luck shopping online where there are more larger carriers to choose from! Avoid triangular shaped 'collapsible' carriers especially where they likely won't be able to stand comfortably! 
• UNSTABLE/UNSAFE - kitties need to feel secure in their environment, which includes when they are traveling! Being in a backpack like carrier is bouncy, because of how we humans walk, and although us humans might think it's cool for them to see around them, cats actually prefer small, dark spaces where they can feel warm, secure, and hidden from predators. NEVER use a cardboard carrier which can break easily, or your kitty can break out of!
• UNFAMILIAR - when it's time to go to the vet, a kitty is always going to feel more comfortable with a carrier they are familiar with, and that smells like them! Smells are SO important to kitties - always keep a familiar item in their carrier like a favorite bed or blanket, or toy! A shared carrier that smells like other kitties (especially unfamiliar ones) and is dirty/dusty because it's kept outside in the cold Michigan garage all year, and is only brought out on 'scary' vet day is NOT going to be a good situation for you or your kitty.

Why does this matter?

Choosing the right carrier is SO important - because obviously, we want our fur babies to be comfortable! We want to ensure they are as calm as possible when their routine is disrupted, and feel secure when away from their home!

Think about your cat(s) and their carrier(s) - would you be able to safely contain them in their carrier in an emergency? Do you have a carrier for EACH of your cats if you have multiple? Has your cat not even been out of the home in over a year? It is SO important for kitties to have checkups at the vet, just like us humans, because their instinct is to HIDE when they don't feel good, as to not appear as weak. Unfortunately, some kitty owners don't know that something is 'wrong' with their kitty until it's too late.

Carrier Training

In addition to choosing the right carrier - working on carrier training with your kitty can go a LONG way when it comes time to go to the vet! A large enough, sturdy, safe familiar carrier is a LOT less scary than an unfamiliar unfit one that they associate with a not-so-great trip to the vet. Kitties can learn that their carrier is safe, comfortable and they can go in and out of it anytime without anything bad happening!

Keeping their carrier accessible to them in a central location (like in a bedroom) and encouraging them to explore it and become familiar with it BY CHOICE is an easy, doable routine for you and your kitty! Toss some crunchy treats in there every once and a while, or feed them special exciting wet food snacks in there sometimes. Let them enjoy their reward in a familiar environment and decide when they are done and they will happily and gladly choose to enter their carrier when needed! 

For a PURR-sonalized cat carrier training consult - contact Kzoo Cat Coach!

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Further Reading/Resources: 

• https://easternpassagevet.ca/2017/09/05/cat-carriers/
• https://www.happypawsus.com/blogs/cat-care/choosing-the-best-cat-carrier-safety-and-comfort-tips
• https://thecatsite.com/c/beware-the-dreaded-cat-carrier/