Question - all replies appreciated

pat

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Please help a friend of mine by answering this question. She is a pet products designer, and before embarking on a line of carriers designed just for cats, wants to know if there really is a market.

Would you use a specialty carrier? Would you use a carrier made of fabrics? Do you ever consider taking your cat with you to the mall in a small carrier(as some folks do with tinier dogs)?

What features would you want to see to make you consider using something other than a vari-kennel, pet taxi?

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer this, it will really help my friend.
 

persi & alley

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Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

Please help a friend of mine by answering this question. She is a pet products designer, and before embarking on a line of carriers designed just for cats, wants to know if there really is a market.

Would you use a specialty carrier? Would you use a carrier made of fabrics?
Do you ever consider taking your cat with you to the mall in a small carrier(as some folks do with tinier dogs)?
What features would you want to see to make you consider using something other than a vari-kennel, pet taxi?

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer this, it will really help my friend.
I might be inclined to do that but I normally just associate the carrier with going to the vet. And so do the cats. But make no mistake, I like to show off my cats and if something caught my eye like a designer carrier, I just might buy one.
 
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pat

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Originally Posted by Trouts mom

I personally wouldn't use a fancy carrier..but thats just me
Would you consider any fabric carrier to be fancy? Would you use a well made simple carrier? If so, what features at a minimum would you want.

This is truly an opportunity to help guide a designer...so all tips, suggestions are very welcome!
 

taterbug

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I think it would be a great idea,especially for those with multiple cats. For ex.-for those that attend the low cost rabies clinics held in rural areas. Pet taxis are so bulky and it's hard to get more than 2 in a small car. It would be nice to have a way to get three cats vaccinated at the same time closer to home,rather than making three trips to the vet which is much farther away.
 

goldenkitty45

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Well I have both the soft-sided carriers and the hard ones. Use both. But as far as taking them in a bag in the shopping mall......no places in our area would allow that (other then Petco/Petsmart).

I'd be more afraid of the cat getting out of the bag and then having to go catch him in the middle of a mall of people! I don't leash/harness train mine
 

lookingglass

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I'd love one with a nice handle. The carriers that I have now were not built with a human or a kitty in mind.

Also, I'd love to find one that I don't have to take a part to get the kitty out of it. Making one with a top and front entry that's easy to use would be very nice.
 
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pat

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Well I have both the soft-sided carriers and the hard ones. Use both. But as far as taking them in a bag in the shopping mall......no places in our area would allow that (other then Petco/Petsmart).

I'd be more afraid of the cat getting out of the bag and then having to go catch him in the middle of a mall of people! I don't leash/harness train mine
With the soft-sided carriers that you use, are there features you'd like to see that haven't been available in the one's you use or have looked at? I'm trying to determine what segment of cat folks would use one, and for what purpose. So far, I'm hearing for ease of taking multiple cats to the vets, a request for a double carrier...
 

clixpix

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I have both kinds. The thing that scares me (and others) is that the cat can somehow work the zipper open. I use a twist-tie to tie the two zipper pulls together. Some sort of latch would be good. Also, make sure the netting is super strong. I like the soft ones, they're easier to carry. When I use the hard sided one, I bang them against my legs. I looked long and hard for this one too. There are tons of them for small dogs, but not too many for cats.
 

goldenkitty45

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Yeah I agree on the zipper thing - you have to secure them together. I've had a few cats manage to start to get them open! If your friend can figure out a way to secure the zippers.....
 

lookingglass

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Yeah I agree on the zipper thing - you have to secure them together. I've had a few cats manage to start to get them open! If your friend can figure out a way to secure the zippers.....
Right, if she needs a product tester she can ship a sample to 8-Bit. He's good for that sort of thing.
 
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pat

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Originally Posted by lookingglass

Right, if she needs a product tester she can ship a sample to 8-Bit. He's good for that sort of thing.
I will mention that to her
 

dragoriana

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I could not imagine carrying Charlie around for show. Being trapped in a small space is not his or my idea of fun. He is not longer a light kitten and he gets stressed easily. The only carrier i use is to the vets, you could make that pretty and escape proof, it's plastic and needs some interior design i suppose
 

godiva

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She should definitely make some geared towards people who show cats. I've seen nifty fabrics and complex stroller type things for people who show more than one cat. Most "regular" people won't buy a neat carrier just to go to vet, but I know a lot of crazy cat lady/man show people who would!
 

zissou'smom

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Removable, machine-washable liner!

I use an old towel in the bottom of Zissou's carrier, and I don't think I would buy a soft-sided carrier if you couldn't take out the liner and wash it. Also pockets for treats, leash, etc.
 

crittermom

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It will have to be some sturdy fabric too.Something like suede, denium.
Have lots of air coming into it, so the kits can breath.Maybe a small pocket for a special toy.Long enough handles to be comfortable.Easy to load the kits in and out of it.washable is a BIG plus!
 

catsarebetter

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Originally Posted by lookingglass

Right, if she needs a product tester she can ship a sample to 8-Bit. He's good for that sort of thing.
I think Joyeux must be related to 8-bit. She can get out of anything.


washable, with a padded bottom (removable preferrably), mesh so they can look out, fabric and collapsible. Wheels may be a bonus, and as lightweight as possible. Something that could hook onto a seatbelt might be handy, although honestly, I never try to seatbelt them in.. our vet is around the corner and we put them in the back of the scion with the seats down.
 

crittermom

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Maybe with the zipper, a snap of some sorts to keep the kits from getting out of it.
 
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