Cats are #CrateHappyPets

 This post is sponsored by PetSmart and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network.  I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Containment Products and Education for your pet but Sweet Purrfections only shares information I feel is relevant to my readers.  PetSmart is not responsible for the content of this article. 

Do you have a new kitten or cat in your household?  Do you travel with your pet on vacations or to the vet?  Does your pet need a quiet, secure place to rest at home?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider purchasing a carrier and PetSmart® is great place to begin your shopping.  When you enter your local PetSmart to purchase a carrier, you should check out the carriers in both the dog and cat sections because you can find great carriers for your special fur child in each.  We're very lucky that we have several PetSmart stores within 15 miles from our home. To find your local PetSmart, visit here.

 Hard Carriers in the Dog Section

Soft-sided Cat Carriers in the Cat Section

To get your kitten/cat comfortable with your chosen carrier, place the carrier out in a comfortable and familiar location in your house.  I initially put the carrier on the floor in the bedroom and the living room, so Truffle and Brulee could enter it without the pressure and stress of traveling to the vet.  I recommend you put a comfortable pad/blanket in the carrier and possibly add some catnip or a favorite toy.

Truffle checking out her plastic carrier.

One thing I did to help with pet safety with the carrier was to purchase nylon cable tags (see the side of the carrier in the photos) to insert them in the holes on the side so the carrier, so it wouldn't fall apart accidentally when carried from the house to the car to the vet.  Brulee and Truffle will play on and inside the carrier when I leave it in the living room.  This way, their smells are around the carrier and they feel safe and secure in the comfortable environment.

Truffle and Brulee playing in their carrier

Anytime you travel with your cat, she should be in some type of carrier for the safety of both of you . An unsecured cat may distract the driver or interfere with driving.  You should choose a carrier that allows your cat to stand up and turn around comfortably, yet doesn't provide too much room for extra movement.  You should always make sure the carrier is securely fastened to the seat with a seat belt and that all latches are tightly closed.   I don't take Truffle and Brulee on trips with me, but for those of you who do, you can find tips for traveling with  your cats here.  Brulee prefers her hard-sided carrier made by Petmate.  PetSmart has numerous types of Petmate carriers and some are currently on sale, so be sure to visit your local store or shop online.  

Brulee resting safely in her hard-sided Petmate carrier in the car.

Brulee knows that she is safe inside her carrier in the waiting room at the vet.

Truffle prefers a soft-sided carrier with mesh on the sides to she can see out.  She isn't as comfortable traveling in the car, but as long as she can look around all sides and get plenty of ventilation, she's okay, even if she does sing the entire trip.  I also need a carrier that opens from the top because Truffle gets really nervous at the vet and doesn't like to come out of the carrier.  A carrier that opens from the top makes it much easier to get her out and put her back in the carrier.

Truffle's fashionable soft-sided carrier.

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A feline pet carrier is an essential piece of equipment for a cat owner and ensures that your cat arrives at her destination happily and safely.