The best carriers for cats in 2021 according to FAN: how to choose and use correctly

Most cats are domestic animals and are not too eager to leave the place to which they become accustomed. There are, of course, exceptions: some pets are happy to travel with their owner, willingly getting acquainted with the unknown outside world and gaining new experiences. One way or another, even the biggest couch potato will sooner or later have to be taken out of the house, and there may be several reasons for this - an examination by a veterinarian, a trip to the country, moving to a new apartment, and so on. Of course, you can do this by simply picking up the cat in your arms or placing it in a regular shopping bag. However, there is no guarantee that an animal on the street will not break out and run away, frightened, for example, by a sharp unfamiliar sound. Fortunately, pet product manufacturers have taken care to make any transfer as convenient and safe as possible for your furry’s delicate psyche. All you have to do is purchase a special carrier for cats: in it the animal can travel comfortably even over long distances. We understand the features of different types, designs and shapes of these wonderful devices, answer the common question of which carrier is better - plastic or fabric, and compile a mini-rating of the best carriers for cats - according to buyers.

For what purposes do you usually buy a cat carrier?

Before choosing a carrier, you should decide for what purpose you are going to use it. As a rule, carriers are purchased to solve the following problems:

A trip to the veterinarian or short trips with the animal. To cover short distances, you can choose almost any type of carrier: during a 20-40 minute walk outside the house, your pet is unlikely to get too tired.
Traveling with a cat over long distances (trip to another city, country, etc.). In this case, the carrying should be especially comfortable, durable and spacious.
A long plane flight or train trip with your pet. Here, in addition to the convenience of the model, you should also take into account the rules for transporting animals established by the carrier company. So, carrying a cat on a plane, as a rule, must meet certain parameters. Otherwise, the purr may not be allowed on board.

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Basic criteria for choosing a carrier

Structural strength. Keep in mind that your cat is unlikely to agree to sit meekly in a carrier for the entire trip. Therefore, before purchasing a model, pay attention to how durable it is.

Cat carrier sizes. Probably every cat owner understands that the dimensions of the product must correspond to the size of the cat, but this does not mean that you can place the animal in the carrier “butt-to-tail”: there should be enough space in the transport device so that your cat can change its position on the road, stretch, stand up to your full height and, of course, lie down comfortably. This is especially important for long trips.

Weight of carrier and cat. This point is especially important for the owner: do not forget that the weight of the cat will also be added to the weight of the product, and if you have to travel a long distance on foot, carrying it should be as light as possible. In general, for a cat weighing less than 5 kg, a container weighing 1–1.5 kg is sufficient, but for a large pet weighing 10 kg or more, it is better to choose a box weighing at least 2.5 kg.

Manufacturing materials. Here, too, you first need to focus on the duration of the transfer: for short distances, budget textile carriers are optimal; for one-time walks, you can use baskets, but for long distances, a cat carrier of a stronger design, for example, a plastic one, is best suited.

Design features. When choosing a carrier for a cat, especially for long-term movements, you should take care of the reliability of the locks and door, as well as ensure maximum rigidity of the bottom, good visibility and the optimal number of holes for oxygen to enter inside.

Manufacturer. The reliability of the brand will be an additional guarantee of the quality and durability of the product you purchase.

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Which carrier is best to buy for a cat?

When purchasing a cat carrier, the first thing to consider is the size of your pet. There should be enough space for the animal to turn around and take any comfortable position during the trip. For a long trip, experts recommend buying carriers with a rigid frame, a designated area for a diaper and a bowl of water.

Another important criterion is a hard floor, thanks to which the animal will feel more confident even when weighed down. The presence of blown meshes or gratings in the design is an additional plus. This will provide the cat with fresh air, and she will also be able to observe what is happening around her.

The ability to fold the structure for convenient storage between trips is especially important for large carriers, and for residents of small apartments. But when traveling by plane, you need to check with the airline in advance about the allowed sizes of carriers, especially if the owner plans to take the cat with him into the cabin.

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Types of cat carriers

Carrying bag. Ideal for short walks or trips on public transport, but will not provide sufficient comfort when transporting an animal over long distances. After all, such a carrier, even if it is equipped with a frame, bends under the weight of the cat, and not only does not provide him with comfort and sufficient personal space, but can also lead to injury. In addition, synthetic fabric, which is most often used to make budget carrier bags, does not allow air to pass through well and also gets wet in snow and rain.

Backpack carrier. It differs from a textile bag in that the owner’s hands will remain free. This product looks quite beautiful, especially if it is made of plastic, has a window and looks like an intergalactic cat carrier with a porthole. However, sitting sideways in a narrow space will not have a very good effect on your cat’s well-being, especially since when transported on his back, “sea sickness” will be felt much more strongly. Therefore, this carry is good only for short distances.

Carrying basket. The undoubted advantage of this “grandmother’s” model is that it is made of natural materials. In addition, the cat carrying basket is relatively lightweight and has a rigid base, which gives the cat a feeling of security. True, the product very quickly absorbs foreign odors, so you will have to keep it perfectly clean and make sure that the cat does not choose it as a tray.

Plastic box (clipper). Most popular among cat owners, as its rigid and durable design ensures maximum comfort and safety even on long journeys. In addition, plastic does not absorb excess odors and can last up to 5 years or more. Perhaps the only drawback of the box is that it cannot be rolled up and stored in a small cabinet, like a bag.

Cat cage This improved type of boxing has a much larger viewing angle, making it as comfortable as possible for the cat. Just like the clipper, the cage is made from strong and durable materials.

Carrying fixator. This is not a bag or a carrier, but a kind of hybrid that will allow you to comfortably and safely carry out a veterinary examination or hygiene procedures (grooming, ear cleaning, etc.), and is also quite good for short trips. This carrier is great for cats and small breed dogs. The design of the model allows you to easily remove the cat entirely or release any of the paws necessary for the procedures.

The best plastic carriers for cats and kittens

When traveling by plane, train or car, the best cat carrier option is a plastic container, clipper or Euro carrier. The rigid design reliably protects the pet from mechanical shocks during transportation. It is easy to clean, and special holes allow air to circulate freely inside.

Stefanplast Gulliver – premium clipper

★★★★★

editorial assessment

95%

buyers recommend this product

See review▶

Stefanplast Gulliver is a plastic box for convenient transportation of cats. There are ventilation holes around the entire perimeter of the case for unhindered air circulation. The door is a metal grille, which is tightly secured with 4 latches.

The lid is removable, making it easier to clean the box after a trip. When closed, it is securely held on 5 snap-on wide holders. The case has loops for a shoulder strap and for attaching the carrier to a car seat.

The manufacturer offers a large selection of sizes of containers for cats. All colors are calm, the carriers are mostly made in white and gray tones, so as not to be a source of additional irritation for the pet. Pet owners especially note the high quality and durability of the plastic. It is convenient for cats to travel in such boxes over any distance.

Pros:

suitable for flights;
spacious;
easy to clean;
no foreign smell;
very easy to understand;
There are loops for attaching a car seat belt.

Minuses:

Shoulder strap not included.

Stefanplast Gulliver meets the requirements of most airlines, however, before purchasing a ticket, you should check the rules for transporting animals with a specific carrier.

Golden cage - the most reliable plastic carrier

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

92%

buyers recommend this product

The Golden Cage is a popular clipper for transporting cats and cats of any size. Its removable lid is securely held in place with snap clasps. Large ventilation holes around the entire perimeter and a metal mesh door provide the animal with a good view. The lid has 2 hatches: the first is an inspection hatch, the second is designed to replace the drinking bowl or add food to the cat without opening the door.

The manufacturer offers a large range of sizes of similar carriers for cats, which makes the box suitable for pets of different breeds. Also, purr owners have the opportunity to choose the color of the pallet they like best.

Pros:

light weight;
good ventilation;
metal door;
many colors and sizes;
high-quality plastic;
secure locks.

Minuses:

solid handle.

Users advise wrapping the handle with something soft, since sweaty hands can slip off it, and if the cat is heavy, it puts unpleasant pressure on your fingers.

MPS Pratiko - lightweight box

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

88%

buyers recommend this product

MPS Pratiko is a clipper carrier made of lightweight plastic that is perfect for transporting cats. The manufacturer offers several sizes to choose from, so an animal of any size will be comfortable in the box. Despite the light weight, the plastic here is quite durable, can withstand long trips and provides high rigidity for carrying. The molded handle does not come off or fall off while moving, so you can be confident in the safety of the animal.

At the bottom of the container there are stable feet that prevent the carrier from slipping on smooth surfaces. The removable cover has holes around the entire perimeter for ventilation and 2 loops for attaching a seat belt in the car. Convenient twist locks hold the lid on the tray. The plastic door is also held in place by such fasteners.

Pros:

presented in most stores;
large selection of colors and sizes;
molded handle;
removable cover;
high-quality plastic;
stable anti-slip feet;
little weight.

Minuses:

unreliable plastic fasteners;
It's inconvenient to install the door.

Users note that closing the door is inconvenient - it does not always fit into the grooves of the fasteners the first time. You need to get used to this system of clamps. For reliability, some users attach the lid to construction clamps, since plastic holders seem unreliable to them.

How much does a cat carrier cost?

The cost of the product is influenced by factors such as the reliability of the manufacturer, type of carrying, maximum load and materials of manufacture. The price of inexpensive carriers for cats starts from 300 rubles: for this amount you can buy a regular bag for transporting an animal. Just keep in mind that there is no need to talk about the convenience and durability of such a product. On average, the optimal and acceptable price for carrying today ranges from 3 to 6 thousand rubles - although, of course, there are also very solid clipper models on the market, designed, among other things, for transporting two animals. The cost of such carriers is 80 thousand rubles or even more, and the weight reaches 25 kilograms or more.

How to make a cat carrier with your own hands

In order to make a carrier for your fluffy with your own hands, you don’t have to be an expert in this matter. The most important step is to take measurements. As already mentioned, the bag should be large enough so that the cat can change its body position. In addition, it is desirable that he can stand on his paws while inside the carrier, and also not be pinched from the head or tail.

Before making a pattern on fabric, you should mark the future product on paper, and then cut and glue the parts, presenting the finished carrier. This will protect you from errors in calculations, and the bag will be exactly the right size for the cat.

Top 5: rating of the best carriers for cats in 2021 according to FAN

In our miniature top models for transporting cats, we tried to include the most popular carriers with various design features - from clippers to clamps, which have collected the largest number of positive reviews among cat owners this year.