MagiCarrier by K-Kat: A Cat Carrier That Makes It Easy to Get the Cat In

MagiCarrier by K-Kat: Is Now the Calm Carrier by Van Ness Products

Until I adopted my Ragdoll cat, Trigg, I had no idea that it could be so hard to get a cat in a cat carrier.  I have to turn the carrier so that it is sitting with the door open and then drop him in and shut the door super fast.

I also have to bring the carrier out the night before we head anywhere and put it in the garage where I do this dropping – so that he will be around to “get” into the carrier.  It’s a ridiculous process that stresses us both out.

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So, when K-Kat approached me about featuring their new  Indiegogo campaign for a new cat calm carrier that makes it easy to get a cat in and out of, I was game to share.

K-Kat is the maker of the It’s THE Scoop! metal cat litter scoop that we reviewed several months back.  They are always thinking about and working to create the next great cat product that solves a cat owner problem.

It’s probably best to watch the video they put together to describe the carrier (which is embedded in this post).  As you can see, the carrier has a “drawer” that slides in and out, so that you can easily get your kitty in and out of the carrier.

The neatest thing, I think, about it, is that cats naturally hunker down when they are pushed or pulled (as the video demonstrates), so they will be inclined to want to get in.  I do want to try this carrier out on Trigg.  K-Kat has promised to send us one if their Indiegogo campaign comes to fruition.

Update! We got one to product review – November 15, 2020

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The MagiCarrier is now the Calm Carrier and is sold on Chewy.

Visit MagiCarrier on Facebook.

What do you think of the MagiCarrier concept?  Please share your comments below!

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Buy Calm Carrier Now

The Calm Carrier is the best cat carrier for nervous cats because it eliminates the moment where you have to force them inside. The slide-in entryway is a revolutionary improvement to carriers because it makes them less invasive and far less stressful for cats that are afraid of closed spaces. You can even place the cat carrier open in your home without having to use it. Let the cat go inside the sliding part, just for it to get used to the space. This way, when you put it back, it won’t be a new place anymore.  

This carrier is spacious enough to fit cats of all sizes, including Ragdoll-sized ones. Another great feature of the Calm Carrier is its increased lateral visibility. Compared to other carriers, it has plenty of holes on the sidewalls that let the cat see where it is at all times. This also helps tremendously with the ventilation inside the carrier. This also makes it one of the best cat carriers for airline travel (keep in mind that size regulations might vary from one airline to another, so make sure to check the requirements imposed by the airline you are flying with).

Purchase Calm Carrier Here.

How to Get a Skittish Cat into a Carrier

How do you catch a difficult cat? Well, every cat owner has their own method of getting the cat inside the carrier when they have to go to the vet or travel, but if the cat is scared of the carrier, then it is bound to be a stressful experience every time. The secret to improving this is to plan ahead. Here are a few things you can do:

1. Get the cat accustomed to the carrier prior to the trip

Most cats associate carriers with all the unpleasant experiences they’ve had inside them. So, naturally, when you take out the carrier, the cat knows that something bad is about to happen, so it runs and hides. But you can change that by letting the cat get used to the carrier outside your trips. Leave the carrier open in the house and use it as a cat bed. Put in a blanket to make it more comfortable and let the cat sit inside it. This way, when you have to use it, it will smell familiar and, hopefully, the cat will be less stressed inside it.

2. Stay calm yourself

Your state of mind is a big factor because cats can feel when you’re stressed or scared. Moreover, when you’re stressed out, it’s more difficult to perform complex maneuvers like getting the cat inside the carrier it doesn’t like.

3. Always have a plan

Don’t leave anything up to chance. Think a few steps ahead and be prepared for the moment when you put the cat inside the carrier. Take out the carrier before you actually get the cat. If possible, take it out the night before so the cat doesn’t get suspicious.

Then, remember to close all the doors your cat might use to escape, but don’t close them all at once because your cat will notice. Close them one by one and do it sometime before you grab the cat. When you feel ready, grab the cat gently and then quickly put it inside the carrier.

The Calm Carrier is the best cat carrier for cats who hate carriers because it eliminates that awful moment when the cat fights going inside, which is extremely unpleasant for cats and owners alike. With its slide-in entryway, all you have to do is place the cat inside and quickly slide it in. Then, just secure the door and you are good to go.

Buy Calm Carrier Now.

FAQs about Cat Carriers

• Do cats prefer hard or soft carriers?

This depends entirely on the cat’s preferences, as both types of carriers have their pros and cons. It also depends on how you carry the cat. If you are going to walk while holding it for a longer period of time, then hard carriers are better because they are steadier. Soft carriers, on the other hand, are lighter for you to carry and they are softer and more comfortable for your cat.

• How do I calm my cat down in a carrier?

Once the cat is inside the carrier, there is little you can do if the cat is agitated. You can place one of the cat’s blankets (one that it really likes) or one of your shirts inside the carrier to give it a more familiar smell. You can also put in a fabric bag filled with dried lavender blossoms.

This might help calm the cat down a little bit while it is inside. You should talk to your cat and, if possible, make sure that it sees you. This way, it will know that it is not alone. You can also try getting the cat accustomed to the carrier before you actually have to use it (see above).

• How long can a cat stay in a carrier?

This depends on the cat, but also on the carrier. Cats that are especially stressed when they’re inside a carrier are most likely bothered by the fact that they are confined inside, so no carrier will make them feel safe. These cats should spend as little time as possible inside a carrier.

If the carrier is small and the cat doesn’t have enough space to move inside, then it shouldn’t spend more than a few hours inside. Keep in mind that the cat will have to use the litter box after spending a couple of hours in a carrier.

As long as you take it out so it can pee, the cat can spend a few hours more inside after that. In total, the cat can spend 8-10 hours in a standard carrier, provided that it gets breaks every 2-3 hours. As for larger carriers, where the cat has enough space to move inside, the cat can stay up to one day inside, but it should get litter box breaks.

Please note that these extended periods of time spent inside carriers should be avoided when possible because they are traumatizing for the cat (this does not include trips to the vet which usually entail a couple of hours spent inside the carrier with breaks). Moreover, if the cat has a medical condition, these should be avoided altogether because the stress can actually worsen their health.

• Should I put a blanket in my cat carrier?

Yes, absolutely. Placing a blanket inside the carrier is always a good idea. Firstly, it helps keep the cat comfortable. Most cat carriers are made to be safe rather than comfortable and putting in a blanket will make the trip better for your kitty. Secondly, the blanket keeps your cat warm. If you are taking it outside in the cold, then the blanket will make a big difference. During winter, you might need several blankets to keep the cat warm. Thirdly, the blanket brings a familiar smell in the carrier, which helps keep the cat calm.

• How do you calm an anxious cat?

Calming down an anxious cat means being calm yourself. Talk to your cat in a calm voice. Petting would be useful, but when the cat is inside the carrier, you can’t do that. Opening the door of the carrier is dangerous because an anxious cat might get out and run away. While the cat is inside the carrier, focus on talking to it instead. You can touch it with your fingers through the openings in the carrier door. Keep in mind, though, that anxious cats are unpredictable and there is a chance you might get bitten or scratched.

You should avoid saying “shhh!” even if your cat is meowing because this sounds a lot like hissing and might make your cat even more agitated. If you are transporting your cat by car, then you should make sure that it is warm inside. You can also try putting in some calming music for cats, such as music composed for cats or purring sounds. These might have a calming effect on the cat.

• Can a cat ride in a car without a carrier?

Cats that are extremely docile could ride in a car without a carrier if there is somebody in the car beside the driver to hold them, but even so, if there is a carrier available, that is always the safest way. You should never drive alone with your cat in the car without a carrier because cats are very unpredictable, especially when faced with new stressful situations like loud cars, abrupt turns, car horns, breaks, and many others. The cat might jump and distract you, it might scratch or bite you, which is extremely unsafe for both you and your cat. The safest option is to keep the cat inside the carrier at all times when it’s in the cat.

• Can a cat stay in a carrier overnight?

Yes, it can, but if this can be avoided, it should because it is a stressful experience, even for the calmest cats. Spending extended periods of time inside a small closed space can be a traumatic experience. Another issue is how the cat will urinate and defecate. The cat can hold up urination for 24-48 hours, but this should be avoided. If you can give the cat litter box breaks, then you absolutely should. If not, then make sure you place an absorbent mat inside the carrier. Then, if the cat pees inside the urine will be absorbed and the cat won’t spend hours in its own urine (which could be dangerous because the urine can be harmful to its skin).

• Can 2 cats travel in one carrier?

Yes, they can, if the carrier is large enough to fit them both and if they are familiar with each other and get along well. Large enough means that each of the cats has enough space on its own. However, this should be avoided, if possible, because cats can have unpredictable reactions when confined and they might become aggressive with each other. If the cats are not familiar with each other or if they do not tolerate one another, then putting them together in the same carrier is not a good idea.

As you can see, the Calm Carrier is probably the best cat carrier for nervous cats because it makes the process of putting the cat inside it much easier and far less stressful for cats and owners alike. Purchase Calm Carrier here.

How do you get your cat inside the carrier? Do you have a plan? Tell us all about your experiences in the comments section below.