o Basic equipment for cats includes one Transport box. No matter if you get your cat out of the animal shelter, obtained from the breeder, or privately - the animal must be transported safely to your home. You will also need the cat transport box more often for visits to the vet. So it makes sense to get a crate before the cat moves in with you. That is why we have put together nine tips about the cat transport box for you below.
The right size for the cat carrier
The cat carrier should be large enough that the cat can stand upright, turn around, sit comfortably and lie down. However, it should not be too big, because then it can happen that the cat unintentionally slips through the inside of the cat transport box during transport. This should be avoided so as not to put additional stress on the cat.
Make it easier for the cat to sit down
Very few cats willingly go into theirs Cat transport box or can be put in it. And taking them out to the vet is also a problem for many cat owners a real challenge. Because the upper opening makes it easier to put the cat in its box than to push it through the opening from the front. In the best case, the cat transport box has two openings - one at the top and one at the front.
Think about security
Caged cats can develop unimagined skills and become true breakout artists. When choosing the transport box, make sure that the lock closes securely and cannot be opened by the cat. Besides, the box should be robust - after all, it has to withstand cat claws and teeth. Carrying handles and straps should be stable. The material of the transport box should be chosen so that the cat cannot get caught with its claws or otherwise injure itself.
Pay attention to the ventilation
A transport box usually doesn't mean anything good for the cat. Often the unloved one awaits them at the end of the triplet. Cats therefore mostly react stressed when the transport box appears on the scene. Stress can cause them to pant. In doing so, they consume more oxygen than if they were breathing calmly. It is therefore very important that the cat transport box is adequately ventilated.
Think about cleaning
A mishap may occur during transportation. So make sure that the cat transport box can be cleaned easily and thoroughly. Plastic transport boxes are easy to clean.
Get your cat used to the transport box
It is often a struggle to put the cat in its transport box. Cats usually combine the box with a visit to the vet and understandably do not feel like going on excursions. It gets easier when the cat connects the box with something beautiful. Open the box and place it in the cat's living area before it is used for the first time. The aim is for her to accept the transport box as a safe cave. A cozy blanket, Favorite toys, and treats can help make the box more interesting.
Replace the cat carrier
If the cat does not want to go into the transport box, it becomes difficult for the cat owner. The cat quickly fled to the last corner under the bed or defends itself with claws and teeth. If the cat has already had bad experiences with its transport box, it is worth starting over and replacing the cat transport box. Because it is often easier if the box is not negatively loaded and you can get the cat used to the new model with a little patience.
Make your cat cozy
Very few cats like to lie in empty transport boxes. It is therefore advisable to make the cat comfortable inside the box. Non-slip materials, for example, a stable blanket or a non-slip mat, are well suited. Also, a cuddle pillow Catnip can make the cat feel more comfortable.
Don't just put the transport box on the car seat
Just like for dogs, it is also true for cats that they are considered cargo that need to be secured in the car. If there is an accident and the cat is not secured, it can quickly become dangerous. ADAC crash tests with an unsecured dog dummy have shown that in the event of a collision at 50 kilometers an hour, it flies through the interior of the car at 30 times its body weight. So that your cat does not become a projectile and endanger itself and the vehicle occupants, you should never just put the transport box with your cat on the back seat of the car or the front seat.
ADAC crash tests have shown that the safest place for the cat transport box is in the footwell behind the front seats. Strapped to the rear seat bench, the plastic material of the text box used proved to be too weak in a 50 km / h impact. The lattice door and lid broke under the weight of the 4 kg artificial test cat.
At a glance: the ideal transport box for your cat
- The cat carrier has two openings - one at the top and one at the front.
- The transport box is robust and can withstand cat claws and teeth.
- Carrying handles and straps are stable.
- The door can be locked securely.
- The transport box is easy to clean.
- The transport box is adequately ventilated.
- The transport box has the lowest possible weight.
- The cat has nowhere to get its claws caught or otherwise injure itself.