Tip 89: Why Every Cat Owner Needs a Carrier for Stress‑Free Transport

A cat carrier is one of the essential items that every cat owner must have. Cat carriers are portable cages that are used to transport cats. Whenever you leave your house with your cat to bring it ANYWHERE, they should ALWAYS be transported in a carrier. Don’t even think of carrying your cat in your arms to put it in your car. Moving cats from point A to B can be stressful on a cat and they can easily scratch, bite or get loose. Carriers can be made of different materials, but are most commonly made of plastic and have a metal door to close the carrier. Before buying a carrier, make sure it is sturdy and that the door closes well and securely.

Sometimes it is difficult to get a cat into the carrier when you need to because many cats simply don’t like carriers. The trick is to tip the carrier onto the side opposite the door so that the open door is facing the ceiling. Then take your cat with 2 hands and slowly/gently load him/her into the carrier feet first until the cat is fully inside. Then close the door quickly being careful not to injure the front paws. Triple check that the door is closed securely.

If you need to transport a cat by airplane, call the airline first to see what the restrictions are. Also call your vet to make sure it’s okay for the cat to fly. This is especially important for sick, older or frail cats. The vet may be able to suggest a medication that can be used to calm your cat during the flight.