Carriers & Crates

A hard-sided carrier, like a wire top-opening cat basket, is sturdy and easy to clean, and the top-opening design makes it easier to get a reluctant cat in without a struggle. A soft carrier, such as a mesh pet backpack, is lighter and more comfortable for a calmer animal, but offers less protection if it is knocked or dropped.

For a car journey specifically, a carrier that can be properly secured with a seatbelt, like a pet car seat carrier, matters for safety in a way a carrier that just sits loose on a seat does not.

A crate can serve several purposes: a secure space in the car, a training tool for a puppy, or simply somewhere a dog chooses to settle at home once it is properly introduced. Sizing is the most important decision, since a crate needs to be big enough for a dog to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably, but not so large that it stops feeling like a den.

For car use specifically, a crate that is designed to be secured rather than simply placed in the boot gives better protection in the event of sudden braking.

Introduce a carrier or crate well before it is actually needed, leaving it out with the door open and something comfortable inside, so it becomes a familiar object rather than something only associated with a vet trip. Feeding treats or meals near or inside it helps build a positive association over time.

Covering part of a carrier with a light blanket can help a nervous cat feel more secure during travel, since reduced visibility often has a calming effect rather than adding to the stress.

Whatever the type, your pet should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down without their head or tail touching the sides. Too small is uncomfortable and stressful; too large offers less of the secure, enclosed feeling that makes a carrier or crate work in the first place.

If you are choosing for a growing puppy, it is worth checking the adult size expected for the breed rather than sizing only for the puppy in front of you.