so confused about cat carrier sizes

[Maisie]

hi all!

I need a new carrier for a stray cat that showed up a few months ago. I took him to a vet recently and the carrier I'd bought from chewy.com was too small. it worked for that day but he was unhappy being scrunched in there, couldn't stand or turn around. he is apparently a long cat according to the vet.

some sites I've researched recommend getting a carrier 1.5 times the cat's length, but then almost all the carriers on Chewy would be too small.

the cat's approximate measurements:
nose to base of tail: 22 inches
ground to head: 15 inches
chest to base of tail: 19 inches

so would I need a carrier that is at least 22x1.5=33 inches long? and 15 inches high?

Thanks!

 

[Mr. Meow]

Are you using/looking at the soft mesh carrier bags or the plastic "kennels" as they call them? The mesh carriers only come so big because they're intended to be slung over one shoulder and rest at your hip. The plastic kennels come in larger sizes.
Try searching for dog carriers. I had a 18lb kitty who wasn't fat, just big, and she would only fit in a medium sized dog carrier.
I want to say this is around the size I have for my cat.
Plus, you won't need one that's from head to tail x 1.5. Carriers have to do a dual job - be big enough for a pet to be reasonably comfortable, but small enough to safely contain them in the event of an incident (like a car wreck.

 

[lutece]

Which carrier did you buy that was too small?

Are you looking at crate sizing charts aimed at dogs? Cats don't need a carrier that is 1.5 times their length. These charts might be designed for dog owners that keep their dogs in crates overnight.

Personally, I like the Petmate 24" top load carrier, and find it to be big enough for large cats.

PETMATE Two Door Top Load Dog & Cat Kennel, Medium, Blue - Chewy.com

Buy Petmate Two Door Top Load Dog & Cat Kennel, Medium, Blue at Chewy.com. FREE shipping and the BEST customer service!

www.chewy.com

If you don't feel a 24" carrier is large enough, the next size up is a 28" dog crate like the one listed above by Mr. Meow. I have a couple of these in the 28" size:

PETMATE Vari Dog & Cat Kennel, Medium - Chewy.com

Buy Petmate Vari Dog & Cat Kennel, Medium at Chewy.com. FREE shipping and the BEST customer service!

www.chewy.com

I have used the 28" size crates for mothers with litters, multiple cats in one crate, or longer trips with a small litter box inside the crate. I find this size to be a bit too big and unwieldy for taking one cat to the vet, but if you want a really big crate, it's an option. You definitely don't need a crate bigger than this, though.

 

[GoldyCat]

Check out PetSmart or Petco. I would go with the hard carrier rather soft sided.
I just measured my large Petmate Kennel Cab and it's 23" long and almost 15" high.

 

[Kieka]

I second the PetMate with top load. My 14 pound long legged boy is pretty comfortable with it.

 

[LTS3]

Cats are happy squishing themselves into shoe boxes and other things to nap in so a temporary squish into a large carrier to go to the vet and back is no big deal You don't need one of those jumbo bulky dog sized carriers. A large / extra large carrier you can comfortably carry or wheel around is fine. I have this Petmate double door one that measures 19.5 x 13 x 7 inches:

 

[Maisie]

Thanks so much for the recommendations and advice, everyone. I'm going to get him a hard carrier, probably the 24" to start.

 

[maggie101]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QHC0050/?tag=thecatsite

I got this for my cat Maggie. It's size medium 15in
Large is 19x10x11

 

[basscat]

Cats are happy squishing themselves into shoe boxes and other things to nap in so a temporary squish into a large carrier to go to the vet and back is no big deal You don't need one of those jumbo bulky dog sized carriers. A large / extra large carrier you can comfortably carry or wheel around is fine. I have this Petmate double door one that measures 19.5 x 13 x 7 inches:

IMO, spot on. The smaller the carrier the easier it is to carry. As carriers get larger, it moves your arm away from your body, awkward, feels heavier, and just hard to manage. And there's less room inside for the cat to move around and shift the weight/balance of the carrier.
This carrier I use is 22" long. He's as long as a loveseat and has no problems turning around.

 

[Willowy]

This is my favorite carrier. It's 24"x16.63"x13.75", and inexpensive. It can fit pretty much any cat without being obnoxiously huge. I don't like the smaller cat carriers, except for kittens and ferrets, guinea pigs, etc.

https://www.menards.com/main/pet-wi...19-c-8318.htm?tid=-6330732063167599183&ipos=2

this Petmate double door one that measures 19.5 x 13 x 7 inches:

Somehow I don't think that one is only 7" high . Probably 12" or 13", I'd say.

 

[basscat]

This is my favorite carrier. It's 24"x16.63"x13.75", and inexpensive. It can fit pretty much any cat without being obnoxiously huge. I don't like the smaller cat carriers, except for kittens and ferrets, guinea pigs, etc.

That looks just like the one I use

 

[Willowy]

Yep that's probably it. The inside measurement might be 22". I'll tell the cats to be grateful they have a bobcat-sized carrier next time .

 

[Purr-fect]

That looks just like the one I use

Who ever opens that one is in for one heck of a surprise! Lol

 

[basscat]

Who ever opens that one is in for one heck of a surprise! Lol

Yep. He got me good once when he was a kitten. Wouldn't come out of his carrier one day. I hadn't noticed that our other cat was behind me, and she wasn't happy.
I just reached in that carrier, slid my hand under his belly, picked him up, and pulled him out.
He balled up on my arm and went to chewing. I was pretty sure we were both going to ER

 

[gilmargl]

Has anyone tried this Calm Carrier ? Video Calm Carrier
I am seriously tempted, though I usually use a wire cage, particularly for ferals and strays. Vets prefer not to have to open the carrier until they are sure of their reception.

 

[Purr-fect]

Ok......so I measured our carriers for the boys.

Outside dimensions, 28 inches long, 20 inches wide and 20 inches high.

Yup, they are big, yup they are unwieldy, but i manage. I want my boys to be comfortable. Arnold lying down (head to butt, not stretched out) is about 26 inches long and 13inches wide. Greg is a bit shorter but not much and only a pound or so lighter.

Like Patrick Swazye said in the movie Dirty Dancing........."no one puts baby in a corner"...lol

Here are my "babies" contemplating "having a guest for dinner".

 

[basscat]

Purr-fect
WOW! I don't think I could carry one that size. Mine is smaller and it gets really awkward. If he starts going front to back, trying to pace? I have to stop and set it down.

 

[Purr-fect]

Purr-fect
WOW! I don't think I could carry one that size. Mine is smaller and it gets really awkward. If he starts going front to back, trying to pace? I have to stop and set it down.

Years of weightlifting. And my boys are lighter than yours.