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The best cat crates for travel

PawTracks Contributor
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That doesn’t mean that more expensive always means better. There are many things to consider when you’re buying your friend their crate. Also, maybe you have more than one feline friend and you need several carriers. Luckily for us, there are many good choices out there at many price points. Here are our top picks for the best cat carrier.

A cheap crate can mean that your cat might feel trapped and get too anxious for traveling. That’s especially true if you’re on your way to the vet. And the way you travel will also determine what kind of crate you should get. Are you going on a plane, or are you driving? Or maybe you’re just walking down the street and need something light and easy to carry? We have some recommendations for you.

MidWest Homes for Pets Spree Travel Pet Carrier

Best Hard Side Crate

A hard-shell carrier is a great choice for when security and safety are your main concerns, like when you travel by plane or car. This crate offers lots of visibility, which is great if your cat is prone to anxiety. It’s also very durable and easy to assemble.

Related

Pet Magasin Hard Cover Collapsible Cat Travel Kennel

Best Foldable

This is a great crate to get if you don’t have a lot of space or just don’t want to have your carrier always in the open. Its sides can fold, and the top and bottom parts zip together, so it all comes down to a very small and neat package.

SportPet Designs Large Portable Indoor Outdoor Crate

Best Overall

This crate can function as a real portable kennel for indoor or outdoor use. It measures 31.8 by 20 by 20 inches, which is definitely large enough. But it folds surprisingly well and comes with a drawstring bag for easy storage.

Traveling with your cat can easily be a stressful endeavor, especially if you have more than one. Having a good cat carrier or crate is sure to make it easier on your feline friends, but you might be surprised at how much it makes it easier for you. Bon voyage!

Topics
Can cats suffer from mental health conditions the way dogs can?
What you need to know about your cat's mental health
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As it turns out, man's best friend has quite a lot in common with humans. Just like us, dogs can suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year." With such staggering numbers, it's easy to understand why the self-help industry is booming. But what about cats? Are our feline family members similarly affected by mental health issues?
While dogs are typically more expressive regarding their moods, cats can be more difficult to read. A dog suffering from depression may refuse to play with his favorite toy, but what behaviors can you expect from your feline friend? Do cats suffer from depression and anxiety the way some dogs do? We'll take a deep dive into the world of cat mental health, so we can answer the question once and for all.

Can cats have mental illnesses?
In her 2014 book "Animal Madness," Dr. Laurel Braitman writes, "There is not a branch of veterinary science, ethology (the science of animal behavior), neuroscience, or wildlife ecology dedicated to investigating whether animals can be mentally ill." While we can't read our cat's mind, we can use their typical behavior to gauge sudden personality changes that might ring a few alarm bells.
Two commonly diagnosed mental issues in cats are obsessive-compulsive disorder -- often abbreviated as OCD -- and cat anxiety. In cases of OCD, you may notice your cat excessively grooming the same location on her body, which can lead to redness, swelling, skin irritation, and even hair loss. However, excessive grooming is also a symptom of anxiety, though anxiety is often accompanied by additional concerning behaviors, such as decreased appetite, incessant yowling, and even drooling.
Details are scant regarding exactly how many cats suffer from mental health issues, but the fact remains that your frisky feline can be affected by OCD, anxiety, or depression. In fact, it may surprise you to learn that cats can even have autism.

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If you've ever searched for a list of foods toxic to dogs, then you already know allowing your furry best friend to ingest a chocolate bar can have tragic consequences. But is chocolate bad for cats? Although your feline fur baby is much less likely to scarf down a slab of chocolate cake while you have your back turned, chocolate poisoning does occur in cats, too, and it can have equally life-threatening consequences.

Keeping your cat safe is your top priority, which makes knowing the symptoms of chocolate ingestion vitally important. Knowing the proper steps to take in case your cat eats foods she shouldn't might just save her life. Here's what you should know.

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As many of us begin to return to work and school after years of pandemic-related remote work or study, you may notice your fur babies are behaving strangely. Although it's a fairly well-known fact that dogs can suffer from separation anxiety when their human family members leave for work or leave the house at all, not everyone knows that our cats can suffer the same issue.

Cat separation anxiety occurs less frequently than it does in dogs, but that doesn't make it any less distressing to witness. Do you think your cat has separation anxiety? Then you've likely noticed unusual behavioral changes. But try not to worry -- there are many solutions that can help reduce your cat's anxiety.

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