Prepare your cat for a storm or evacuation: a practical checklist
Get the carrier, familiar supplies, identification and contact arrangements ready before bad weather makes them urgent.
Cat carriers & travel
Choose a carrier that fits, make it familiar and prepare for the journey. Ideally before the cat notices your shoes.
Start here
Find the right fit.
Compare rigid carriers with front and top access for everyday vet trips. Check the inside space and doorway, then help your cat get used to it before travelling.
Compare our everyday carrier picksChoose and check the fit.
Outside size, usable space and weight limits are different checks.
- Choose a cat carrierFront-and-top access or a wider-opening design.
- Find the right carrier sizeMeasure the cat, then check inside space and the doorway.
Make it familiar.
Build up from a quiet open carrier to brief door closure and gentle carrying.
- Help your cat accept the carrierSmall voluntary steps, at her pace.
- Borrow a carrier safelyCondition, fit and another cat’s previous use.
Clean and keep it ready.
Follow the carrier’s care instructions after a soiled journey or before using a borrowed box.
- Check how to clean the carrierRoutine cleaning, exact manuals and when to ask the vet.
All carrier & travel guides
Every article in this topic.
Guide
How to get your cat used to a carrier, one step at a time
Build up from an open carrier at home to brief door closure and gentle carrying, at your cat’s pace.
What size cat carrier do you need? A practical fit guide
Check usable inside space, doorway clearance and the exact weight limit before choosing a carrier.
Best cat carriers in the UK: our picks for vet trips
Our practical starting pick for everyday vet trips, plus a wider-access alternative and the checks that decide the fit.
Can you borrow a cat carrier? Fit, safety and cleaning checks
Borrowing can be sensible. Check the fit, structure, fastenings, ventilation and cleaning history first.