Cat carrier

[Simpo Two]

My last cat carrier was a folding fabric design, and whilst it saved space in the cupboard, the incumbent was able to get a good grip on the fabric, and the mesh windows, and hang on like Chris Bonington going up the Eiger when you tried to extract her at the vets. I could drop her in quite easily through a zipped top hatch, but it was almost impossible to get her out again (especially if you get the nervous young vet who can't handle cats).

So I let the vets keep the fabric one, but now need a replacement. Almost all carriers are a two-piece top/bottom design with several little clips round the edge, and a door that falls out when you take the top off.

I'm looking for a carrier that I can load through the top, that has an end door for re-entry, and is claw/grab proof. If it folds that would be a bonus but I probably can't have all those options. Pets at Home have a poor selection.

For years I used a simple wicker basket with hinged lid but I can't find any now.

Any suggestions please?

[boxst]

[SystemParanoia]

[/thread]

[bexVN]

These are good, pricey but longlasting, we use them in vets Al the time

http://www.waitrosepet.com/cat/cat-carriers/wire-c...

Be wary of cheap wire baskets as the wire is usually too flimsy.

[nickwilcock]

The 'Tabby Tote' can be a little painful. However, there's always:



Years ago 3 of us rented a cat and the house came with it - or that's how it seemed. Rather a large neutered tabby tom, which was often brawling with the local cats. Once it was badly bitten, so we decided to take it the vet's.

Normally the cat's routine was predictable, so the plan was to take it in the morning. But we had to cancel the visit as the little bugger had obviously got wind of our intentions and was nowhere to be seen the next day. When it finally strolled in later in the day to be fed, we decided to keep it in overnight. One of my chums said that he'd be able to hold it, so off we went the next day with the cat sitting quietly on his lap - the car journey didn't upset it at all.

"Hmm", said the vet, "Looks like it's won another fight!"
"How do you know it won?", we asked...
"Well, cats which win fights are often bitten there, whereas those which lose are often bitten on the backside as they run off. Besides, can you imagine anything winning against this?"

Anyway, the cat was patched up and we set off home. This time there was a plaintive meowing...then a scream of agony from my colleague as the cat released about a gallon of boiling hot cat pee all over him - and my Scirocco's beautiful cream corduroy seats. After getting home, the cat pottered off as if nothing was amiss, but we made my chum strip off outside the house and throw his jeans and underpants into the bin.

I used every upholstery cleaner I could find, as well as buying Feu Orange by the score - but the smell lingered for months. Eventually I traded the car in for a younger Scirocco - but walking past the dealer's forecourt later in the summer, a familiar smell became evident....

I recommend asking a vet's advice for the best cat carrier - few are escape proof and a cat racing around in the car will eventually decide to hide under the brake pedal.

Edited by nickwilcock on Sunday 8th January 09:16

[ali_kat]

We have this, it's my 2nd as the first was given to Mum

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0043DILY2/ref...

We have a larger one than normal so we can take both together (Beauty panics when left on her own so we always take both)

It's fabric, but other than the window it's sturdy enough that they can't claw it. It's easy clean too

[jamiem555]

This is what we use. http://www.arkpetsonline.co.uk/catit-design-cabrio...
We have 2 rag doll cats who are quite big and normally placid until they're in the car. We had the fancy fabric ones before but after a long car trip and the sight of a 1.5 stone cat hanging off the headrest they ended up in the bin and replaced with the cabrio. They're also easy to clean. Only downside is they take up a lot of space when not in use.

[Simpo Two]

Jamie - does that product have a big enough door in the top to put the pet in? It says 'including its Opening Top Hatch which allows you to place and remove your pet from the carrier with ease' - does the whole lid come off with those clips on the side? If so that's no good.

Currently I fancy this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00OP6SMCI/ref...

[jmorgan]

Bought a basic plastic one from somewhere in 1988 and they are still going strong. As long as you can get some bedding in, split it in half and open the door then it should do.

The split it in half comes in handy at the vet when the little buggers destroy your hands when you try to tease them out. Just take the pins out and lift the lid off. Ha! Human 1. Cat 0. (relish the score while you can, they win back in the end)

Plastic is easier to disinfect your blood off as well.

[jamiem555]

Simps, it unclips at the top and the two halves are hinged. Although we very rarely use this feature as our cats happily go into the box without asking. Just leave them on the kitchen floor for 5 mins and their curiosity gets the better of them.

[Simpo Two]

jamiem555 said:

Simps, it unclips at the top and the two halves are hinged. Although we very rarely use this feature as our cats happily go into the box without asking. Just leave them on the kitchen floor for 5 mins and their curiosity gets the better of them.

Thanks, I thought so. Mine won't go into a carrier so has to be lowered in vertically - hence the need for a top entry that can be achieved without the dooor falling out!

[jamiem555]

Here's an annoying youtube video that demonstrates it perfectly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrpvaEY1zkU

[Simpo Two]

It is indeed! It looks like an American footballer - hadn't realised the top opened like that; I think perhaps too hard to reassemble quickly around a struggling cat though!

[bexVN]

Simpo Two said:

It is indeed! It looks like an American footballer - hadn't realised the top opened like that; I think perhaps too hard to reassemble quickly around a struggling cat though!

They can be fiddly especially when the two sides don't align straight away!!

As I said the white wire basket has been a lifelong favourite of vet practices, they are not cheap yet I have never worked in a practice that doesn't have them (you can get trays for the bottom)

However I have one like this (looks very similar to mine though mine is about 20+yrs old now). May be worth a look. Mine carries a 6.5kg cat without issue and has been used lots over the years

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=old+savic+cat+ca...

Edited by bexVN on Sunday 8th January 20:07

[Gaffer]

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=152...

This has a top opening..

I have to use a dog carrier for my two as one is over 9kg and the other is 7.5kg. Plus they are both tall with ridiculously long legs, anything else is too small for them.

Or this:



Claire

Edited by Gaffer on Monday 9th January 07:45

[Gretchen]

I like the Curver cat carrier




http://www.wilko.com/cat-beds-and-carriers/pet-car...

[Simpo Two]

Thanks for those; they look promising too. Now I just have to make the decision!

[gtidriver]

My Sphynx used to sit on the front passenger seat on his visit to the vet, he would also walk on a lead, not very far though as he knew if he stopped i would carry him, lazy bugger.

[Simpo Two]

gtidriver said:

My Sphynx used to sit on the front passenger seat on his visit to the vet, he would also walk on a lead, not very far though as he knew if he stopped i would carry him, lazy bugger.

My first cat, a torbie that knew no fear, was once completely impossible to get in the basket so she went in the car 'loose' - fortunately only 15 miles. At one stage she was standing on my lap with her paws on the steering wheel looking out of of the windscreen! (but was panting so stressed).