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Medea Giordano
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8/10
Some cats are easy. They’ll walk on a leash or jump straight into a carrier when you want to take them somewhere. I had never known this joy. Cat carriers are mandatory ailments. They are essential to get to the vet safely, move around and deal with emergencies, but they are harmful to our precious felines who can think of nothing worse than orienting themselves.
There are a lot of features that cover the entire price range, but the amount you should spend will likely depend on how long you travel, when and where you take your cat, and what your cat will tolerate. We have a few recommendations, and Tuft and Paw’s new Port Cat Carrier is one of them.
The biggest difference between the Port and other carriers is that it has zippers. It can range from completely flat to fully structured and zippered. This gives you more features for charging, unloading, and resting. If your cat prefers a more sensible entrance, you can open the entire stand like a box instead of trying to squeeze it through a small oblong door. Or maybe you want the more sensible finish and one to be open, or even the entire side. It’s customizable to make it as simple as possible for you and your four-legged friend. You may find this to be a great help for disabled animals who need a little extra care when entering a carrier.
While getting them into the carrier is typically the biggest battle, getting them out can be just as hard if you’ve arrived somewhere they’re scared of, like the vet. Instead of trying to pull them out, just unzip it around them.
The sometimes accepted recommendation for getting cats used to carriers is to leave the carrier outdoors in the area so that they feel safe to explore them before going anywhere. With the Port, you can open one side completely and then extend the imaginary space. Sheepskin cushion to make a small bed for your feline to relax. It can also be useful for traveling or moving, as it serves as a safe area if you want to stay overnight in a hotel room. One of my cats rests like this, though that didn’t make it any less difficult to start locking him up: cats just don’t care what you want.
Tuft Paw Porto Cat Carrier
Rating: 8/10
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When fully enclosed, the Porto looks like a complicated duffel bag and has a luggage compartment in the back. When not attached to a suitcase, the back of this zipper closes so it can be used as a pocket. The pocket on one end also has an ID card slot where you can write your and your cat’s information. There are also seatbelt straps to prevent you from bouncing off the back seat while driving, but as the logo makes clear, this is not a guarantee. protection in the event of a collision. (Also, you shouldn’t store them in the front seat, as the airbag can be fatal in the event of an accident. )
The canvas shell is water-resistant and should be spot-cleaned only. I sprayed it with the faucet and it wiped dry easily, though of course, should you be caught in a rainstorm, the fabric around the zipper and straps will stay damp. The pad can be thrown into the washing machine.
The Port is only available in one size, but with a 30-pound weight limit, a maximum of cats and even small dogs are fine. My 3 cats range in size, weighing 4, 10, and 20 pounds. Technically, My Bigger Cat is fine with it, but since your cat can completely roll over, he probably wants something bigger. My husband and I don’t take them out of the space often, but we will continue to check on them.
Tuft and Paw designers follow feline behaviorists to ensure their concepts are not only visually appealing, but also take into account the protection and intellectual well-being of cats. In this case, it influenced the amount of mesh. There is a mesh door and a small panel at the top, which would possibly be less protected than you are used to. A spokesperson for Tuft and Paw told me that while most cat parents assume it’s better to have more mesh, too much visual exposure can make tense conditions worse. There’s enough mesh for airflow and a bit of a view, but not so much that it overwhelms already scared cats.
Their products are often as expensive as they are charming: all of our cats deserve to play in this sumptuous cat tree, but not all of our cats worry about bills, do they?But in this case, I don’t think $99, that’s outrageous. It’s not much more than the $60-80 carriers I was used to, and I noticed an apparent improvement in quality when I switched to Port. The much-loved Diggs Passenger carrier at $195 uses a thicker, sturdier material. But it’s also smaller, with an 18-pound limit. If you’re not sure, Tuft and Paw also includes a pricing breakdown on each product page of the overall prices involved in creating and shipping each item.
Knowing why a product costs so much doesn’t magically put cash in my pocket, however, the paintings done on Tuft and Paw’s designs make spending on their products a little less difficult than just throwing cash at a random Amazon seller. Hey, I said less difficult, painless.
Tuft Paw Porto Cat Carrier
Rating: 8/10
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