Van Ness Products Calm Carrier Pet Carrier Review – For Difficult Cats [2024]

Several years ago, I posted about the Magicarrier, which was being featured in a Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign.

Years later, that carrier is now in production and being made and produced by Van Ness Products, who have renamed it the Calm Carrier.  And it’s Made in USA!

Here was one of the original images from the MagiCarrier:

Until I had my Ragdoll cat, Trigg, I had no idea that it could be so hard to get a cat in a cat carrier.  With his current 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. I am really excited about the Van Ness Calm Carrier as it seems the best cat carrier for cats who hate carriers. And if you have a cat like Trigg, it seems like an ideal way how to get a skittish cat into a carrier. And also, would also be the best cat carrier for nervous cats at the vet – way easier for the vet to get them in and out of the carrier.

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 carrier arrived at my doorstep and was in about 5 pieces that I had to assemble.  It was pretty easy to assemble.  I really like the white and blue colors to the carrier – my sister does too – whoever picked that color scheme was wise.

You can see our unboxing video below, which will give you more of an idea of my first impressions.

Van Ness Products Calm Carrier Product Review Unboxing

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47L1rVDVkGo[/embedyt]

(Un)fortunately, I didn’t have any vet visits with my cats to test out this carrier at the vet while we reviewed it.  But I did take it to my parents’ house and my sister’s house and tried it on my parents’ 16-year old Ragdoll cats and my sister’s 5-year old Ragdoll cats. Depending on the size of the Ragdoll cat, this carrier is a little snug.  Once assembled it measures 20 x 14 x 13 inches.  And weighs just under 6 lbs.  It says it fits pets up to 20 lbs, but I’m not sure I would suggest it for a cat over 10 lbs. Weight 5.6 lbs Dimensions 21 × 14.5 × 8.75 in The patented sliding drawer of the Calm Carrier works well – but you will see in the review video below how I struggle with the closure on the gate – you have to bring out the plastic of the carrier for it to “click” into place. Overall, I think this is a great cat carrier and I hope they make one for larger breed cats.  I also hope they can refine the gate closure situation – it’s not awful – but definitely could use a slight improvement.

Van Ness Products Calm Carrier Final Product Review Video

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY05rAPcwqY[/embedyt]

The Calm Carrier is sold on Chewy.

---

We received the Calm Carrier for review from the manufacturer.  Receiving the free product did not influence this honest post.

Check out our other cat product reviews.