Have you ever given a thought about the humble cat carrier? Thought not. Most people don’t give it a glance until it gets called into play to take their cat to the vet. If the cat carrier had a conscience, it would feel pretty miserable about itself. But cat carriers are not just for carrying cats.

7+ Uses for your Cat Carrier

Taking your cat to the vet

A given, but effective.

It’s Not just about Cats

“Pet carriers are small portable boxes, crates, or cages used to transport small animals such as cats, lap dogs, miniature pigs, ferrets, chickens, guinea pigs, and so on, from one location to another” (Wikipedia) Such a selection!

I have used my cat carrier to carry all manner of animals besides cats. Not just to the vet, but also to bring an outside pet or animal into the house to check them over. When I was looking after rabbits, I used carriers to carry them comfortably and with less fright, not to mention less worry that they would leap and get away. They are proper wrigglers after all.

As a Separator

I’ve often used the carriers if animals need separating one from the others. This is particularly useful if animals are in heat or fighting and you want to create a little peace. I might also separate to monitor or, at the other end, for recovery from an ailment.

When my Sir Studly, a male mallard, ate something that did not agree with him and I had to doctor him with carbon to neutralize whatever poison was harming him, I used the cat carrier to give him a place to rest and recover, away from the others but still able to see what was going on with his flock.

Moving House

Cat carriers are obviously the perfect means to transport your cat, or other animals, if you are traveling or moving house with your pet. But once there, the carrier becomes the only home your pet has known. If your pet is the type to come out of the carrier (cat, dog), don’t remove it as soon as you arrive. Rather, let the cat (or other pet) continue to use as a familiar base while it explores its new home.

Having a place that they can see as their own, a place they can return to, gives them a sense of place. A cat carrier, because it is generally enclosed as well, gives them a sense of protection and comfort, too, in a new environment.

The Comfort Zone

I know my cats, and ducks, return time and time again to the carriers I have. They have never been put away in storage, but instead I keep them out and about, in the house and garden. Yes, this means a clean up before using to transport anywhere, but it is worth it. (Actually, I seem to have acquired a few carriers, so now keep one clean and stored away for any veterinary visit needs.) My pets really like knowing, expecting the carriers to be there to protect them, give them peace from the others or just to laze about in on a sleepy day.

The inside carriers generally have a piece of flannel or similar in them, something comfy and cozy, that the cats adore sleeping on, and consequently in. The outside carriers have straw in them. Ah, the happy peeps that ensue when the ducks go into the carrier. They just adore fresh straw. Even the cats have been found time to time sleeping in the outside carriers.

The Simple Bed

With the majority of carriers you can remove the lid, giving you a nice curved base. This is perfect as a cat or dog bed (depending on the size of your carrier). Just put in a cushion, cover with a piece of fleece or towel and voilà you have a bed for them to curl up in.

Doing this means there is no need to buy an additional bed. And with some, you can even turn the lid over and create a second bed. Win, win all around as far as pets are concerned.

Nest for your duck (or other birds)

And finally, for me, the cat carrier makes a perfect nest for my pet ducks. When it comes to nesting season I have found my ducks have a preference for the cat carriers to lay their eggs. When nesting season begins, I give them a good clean, add straw and it isn’t long before they are occupied and filling with eggs.

I don’t usually let the eggs accrue as I prefer not to be overrun with ducklings and thus ducks. Rather, taking them to eat, but leaving one so the duck returns to the nest. But every now and then a duck gets sneaky and the next thing I know there is a duckling or three. Then the cat carrier becomes protection from the elements for the wee fluff balls. Once they grow and move on, the carrier is cleaned out, fresh straw put in it and remains in situ for sleepy cats and ducks until the next nesting.

And Finally

If you are unfortunate to find yourself with a cat carrier and no cat, or other pet, it can still be put to good use, if not too emotionally painful. A few suggests off the top of my head – as a basket for market, to keep clutter contained in the car, or keep muddy or wet boots away from clean ones. It would even make a good planter in the garden, or storage for garden tools. It’s uses truly know no bounds.

This Spring

Currently, there are 2 cat carriers in my garden, tucked behind the bay hedge around the pond. Side by side, one acts as a nest for Neige, one of my ducks. The other has been commandeered by Noisette, one of my cats. As spring warms up, Noisette likes to be more outside and this includes sleeping. It’s also nice to know she is on hand to protect any brooding ducks.

Macey has gone native. She has made her nest under a climbing vine to lay her eggs. For the time being, I’ve let it be. But if she goes broody, I’ll close down that nest by taking all the eggs and set up a cat carrier for her instead. Safer, and transportable.

I’ve found that having the nests actually transportable is very useful. It means if there is ever any danger, I can simply move the nest. And Mum won’t abandon it. I’ve learnt from the past you can’t move a nest, simply by moving the eggs. But a duck won’t abandon, if she is in full brood, if you move a nest that’s in a cat carrier.

More Ducks Tales

If you enjoy duck tales, there are plenty more to be found in Duck 101. And more animal tales in my Other Animal Antics.

If you like what you read, consider Nourishing Pumpjack & Piddlewick.

And/or there is shopping, including for duck related items, in My Shops, where you will find vintage and antique items, as well as some designs of my own. Here’s a taste: