Sure, your Maine Coon cat might not be a frequent flyer.
But, either for a move or a vet visit, your Maine Coon will need to ride in a car, plane, or train at some point. And cat owners know, felines don’t always love riding in a cat carrier.
Since you want to keep your Maine Coon safe, it is important to transport them in a carrier. But how do you pick the right one?
This post is designed to help you choose the perfect carrier for your Maine Coon cat. By the end, we hope you are ready to make an informed purchase.
Before we dive into reviews, let’s address some common questions regarding cat carriers.
Ultimately, it comes down to your Maine Coon’s personality.
But, it is essential to make sure the carrier is the right size. You don’t want it to be too big or too small for your Maine Coon. They should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down. It also shouldn’t be so large that they could slide around.
You need to think about your Maine Coon’s anxiety level. Very anxious cats generally do better with hard shell carriers. They can’t claw these as easily as a soft carrier. Also, consider a top-loading carrier. This makes it easy for you or the vet to help a hesitant feline in and out of the carrier.
Ideally, choose a carrier that is 1.5 times the size of your Maine Coon. As we discussed earlier, they should be able to move around comfortably.
Also, always choose an adult-sized carrier, even for a kitten. Just fill the carrier with extra blankets if you are transporting a kitten.
This really depends on your Maine Coon’s personality. Some cats hate traveling. They experience intense anxiety. For these Maine Coons, it is best to choose a hard-sided carrier. They won’t be able to scratch and destroy the siding like they could with a soft carrier. Also, plastic carriers are easy to clean if your anxious cat decides they can’t wait for their litter box.
Calmer cats usually prefer soft-sided carriers. These are typically more comfortable. And, calm cats typically curl up and sleep during trips.
Often, cats don’t like carriers. But there are ways to make your Maine Coon feel more comfortable about these foreign objects.
Carriers are often designed to work for both cats and small dogs.
But, pay attention to the carrier’s description. If the seller doesn’t mention anything about cats, this probably isn’t the best carrier for you.
You can probably use the same carrier for a cat and small dog if you need to. Just make sure to clean the carrier out between each use. your Maine Coon might not enjoy the carrier’s scent after it was used by a dog.
Ok, now I am going to look at the best cat carriers so you can make the right decision for your needs.
The A4Pet Collapsible carrier is a popular soft-sided carrier. It allows for side and top loading, which is helpful for getting hesitant cats in and out.
It is well ventilated and comfortable. The bottom features a soft rigid floor, which makes it very sturdy.
This carrier comes in 3 sizes, so you can choose which option works best for your Maine Coon. Each size is airline approved and can easily buckle into a car. It also includes a car buckle, luggage attachment, and shoulder strap.
The carrier is compact and can fold up for easy storage. Assembly is simple, you just need to zip up the sides.
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The PetLuv Travel Crate comes in different sizes to fit your needs. You can choose a small, large, or rolling variety. It also comes in a few different colors.
This soft-sided crate features multiple access panels. This helps as you try to load and unload your Maine Coon.
This crate is comfortable and includes a padded floor pillow. It also offers proper ventilation.
The straps make it easy to carry. And, it is collapsible for convenient storage. It includes a seatbelt strap for safe car trips.
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The Pet Magasin carrier is a large soft-sided pet carrier. It is suitable for most cats and small dogs. It also comes in multiple colors.
This carrier is soft, comfortable, and ventilated. It only offers front and back access panels, so you can’t top load your Maine Coon. But, it offers a clip inside the carrier. You can attach this to your Maine Coon’s collar if you are worried about them running when you open the carrier.
It folds down completely, so you can easily store this carrier. It also has a shoulder strap, which makes it easy to carry.
This carrier is perfect for car and airplane trips since it is approved by most major airlines.
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The Sherpa Pet Carrier comes in multiple sizes and colors. It is a soft-sided carrier with a wire frame. This flexible design allows it to fit under seats. This carrier is approved by most major airlines. It also includes a seatbelt strap for car trips.
The soft liner is machine washable. Also, you can purchase replacement liners from Sherpa. It includes a comfortable shoulder strap, so you can easily carry your Maine Coon.
Since this features a wire frame, it does not collapse. So, you can’t fold this for easy storage. But it does offer multiple access points. You can load your Maine Coon into the carrier from the sides, front, or top.
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This 24” hard-sided carrier is ideal for anxious cats. Since it is hard-sided, cats can’t scratch and damage the carrier. Also, it features top and front access panels. Top loading is an easy way to put anxious cats in a carrier.
This carrier comes in multiple colors. It is appropriate for cats and small dogs. It is well ventilated, but not very comfortable. Make sure you place a soft pillow or blanket in the carrier for your Maine Coon.
The sturdy carrier can be easily secured in a car for travel. It can get heavy to carry since it doesn’t feature a shoulder strap.
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Read Also:9 Best Brushes For Maine Coon
Ultimately, you need to decide which pet carrier is best for your Maine Coon.
I personally like soft-sided carriers. I have used both for my Maine Coon and she seems to prefer the soft-sided carriers. Even though she is an anxious traveler, she has never tried to destroy a carrier. She enjoys the comfort in a soft carrier.
As you make your decision, remember to factor in your budget, storage space, the method of transportation, and cat’s size.
We hope this guide helps as you choose a cat carrier. We would love to hear what type of carrier you pick. Please share your story in the comments!