How To Buy The Best Cat Carriers For Nervous Cats
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Taking a cat to the vet is one of the most difficult things a cat owner must do because most cats despise carriers and will scratch and claw madly to get out.
It can be difficult to find one that is acceptable for your cat and will keep it calm while you travel.
For frightened cats, we've chosen ten different best cat carriers for nervous cats to review. We'll go over the benefits and drawbacks of each plan, as well as how they worked for our cats.
We've also included a short buyer's guide in which we explore what makes a good carrier for frightened cats so you know what to look for while shopping.
Continue reading as BestForPets (bestforpets.org) examine the size, durability, openings, and other factors to help you make an informed decision.
Reviews
Best Overall: Sherpa Deluxe Airline-Approved Pet Carrier Bag
Our pick for the finest overall cat carrier for frightened cats is the Sherpa Original Deluxe Airline-Approved Dog & Cat Carrier Bag.
It has mesh sides that allow for plenty of airflow while also allowing your cat to observe what’s going on around it.
If your cat prefers not to see, you can cover the side while still leaving the top open to allow plenty of ventilation.
The faux lambskin is exceptionally soft and will provide a pleasant resting surface for your cat, plus it includes a spring frame that allows you to fold it up for simple storage.
It also comes with an adjustable strap that may be worn in a variety of ways.
We enjoyed using the Sherpa Original Deluxe while reviewing it because it gave our cats lots of freedom to wander around.
The only issue we found was that if you have a frightened cat who sprays, it can be tough to remove the odor.
Premium Sherpa Ultimate on Wheels Pet Carrier Bag
The Sherpa Ultimate on Wheels Dog & Cat Carrier Bag is our top pick for a scared cat carrier. It’s a long, rectangular carrier with open sides for maximum airflow.
It provides your cat with a wonderful view of its surroundings, but you can also close it up to allow your cat to hide if it is terrified.
It contains a machine-washable liner and locking zippers to prevent it from opening unintentionally when transporting the cat.
It also features wheels that make it much simpler to move, especially if you have a large cat, and padded straps that make carrying it more comfortable.
The Sherpa Ultimate is stylish and excellent for taking your cat for a walk around town provided they agree. The wheels make it simple to transport.
The main disadvantage is that, despite its length, it is too small for larger cats, and if your cats urinate in it, the urine can get into places that are difficult to clean.
Airline-Approved Pet Carrier Kurgo Wander – Best Cat Carrier for Difficult Cats
As the best carrier for problematic cats, we recommend the Kurgo Wander Airline-Approved Dog & Cat Carrier Bag. It has a huge aperture at the top, making it easier for your cat to enter.
The interior contains a tether that may be used in conjunction with a harness to keep your cat from jumping off, and the interior is plush and padded to keep your cat safe.
The soft wall does not appear to be as intimidating to the cat as the hard plastic ones, and it can be configured to allow the cat to see or hide from its surroundings.
It features many side pockets and folds up nicely for storage. The Kurgo Wander is ideal for problematic cats since it includes a tether that prevents the cat from jumping out.
The zippers do not lock, which would be useful in preventing a scratching cat from escaping. We wished it was a little bigger as well.
Airline Approved Pet Carrier Prodigen – Best Cat Carrier for Scared Cats
As the finest carrier for fearful cats, we recommend the Prodigen Airline Approved Pet Carrier. It’s a plush and cozy pouch that will keep your cat safe while you’re transporting it.
The tough cloth is waterproof, and you can close it up so the cat can’t see what’s around it, making it less fearful.
The Prodigen Pet Carrier is an excellent carrier that is also appealing to the eye and comfy to wear.
The disadvantage is that it is not particularly robust and is a little floppy, allowing it to sag down onto the cat’s head.
It will also crash if your cat jumps on it, and we discovered a chemical odor inside the bag that your cat may not like.
Another issue is that it is quite small and may not be suited for cats of all sizes.
Backpack for Dogs and Cats by Jespet
The Jespet Dog & Cat Carrier Backpack has a distinct backpack design that is both comfortable and convenient to use.
The huge mesh door provides lots of airflow while also allowing your cat to observe what’s going on. If you can’t wear it on your back, you can carry it using the handy handle.
The Jespet Dog & Cat Carrier’s small size means that it will not fit all cats, and we had several that would not fit.
We also thought the zipper was thin and didn’t move smoothly, and we worried it wouldn’t last long.
Best Cat Carrier for Nervous Cats Buyer's Guide
Let’s take a look at the most crucial factors to consider while selecting a cat carrier or frightened cats.
Size
One of the first things you should consider while choosing your next carrier.
Unfortunately, there is no ideal size because it is determined by the size of your cat and the conditions under which it feels most at ease.
Most cats dislike traveling, and their behavior can be unpredictable. Your cat will most likely try to escape while in the car, but once inside the vet’s office, it will try to hide and use the carrier as cover.
Choose a carrier that has enough room for your cat to turn around but not so much that it falls over or tumbles around while you’re carrying it.
Openings
Another factor to examine is how many apertures the carrier has. The key thing you’re looking for is a simple technique to get your cat inside.
As soon as you touch the cage, nervous cats will know what you want to do. Cats that have been alerted will often run and hide in order to avoid entering the carrier.
More and larger entrances will make it easier to bring your cat inside because you will have more possibilities.
Visibility and ventilation
Because your cat will be agitated and demand more oxygen, ventilation in your cat carrier is crucial. Adding ventilation, on the other hand, will improve your cat’s visibility.
Some cats are more fearful when they can see what is going on, but others are the polar opposite and will feel confined in an area with minimal visibility.
Simple to Clean
Some cats may have an accident if they become overly fearful. If this occurs, you must clean it, and some carriers have tucked-away corners that are difficult to access.
Your carrier will continue to smell like urine if you are unable to clean it. Some carriers feature a machine-washable liner, which makes cleaning much easier as long as urine cannot get around it.
On our list, we attempted to highlight any brands that were difficult to clean.
Sides: Hard vs. Soft
Another thing to think about while shopping is if you want hard or soft sides.
Most traditional carriers have hard sides, which can be uncomfortable and possibly cause harm if your cat tumbles around too much. Hard carriers might be tough to transport as well.
Soft-sided carriers, which look more like a backpack or shopping bag and have supports to keep them strong and zippers to keep them closed, are becoming increasingly popular.
We prefer the soft-sided version because it is more pleasant for both you and your cat.
Carrying the cat with a shoulder strap or in a backpack is more convenient, and our cat will be more likely to remain calm because you will be closer.
Conclusion
If you have a fearful cat, BestForPets (bestforpets.org) recommends the Sherpa Original Deluxe Airline-Approved Dog & Cat Carrier Bag.
It’s a spacious carrier with soft sides and plenty of ventilation to prevent your cat from feeling trapped.
It’s soft and comfortable, with an adjustable strap for convenient carrying. Another wise decision is our recommendation for the best value.
We hope you enjoyed reading these reviews and discovered a few products you’d want to try.
If our guide to the best cat carriers for nervous cats has made your travels to the vet a little easier, please share it on Facebook and Twitter.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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