TRIED AND TESTED
Pet carriers need to be comfortable, well-ventilated and safe—especially for long journeys. Our resident pets, Bobby and Scotty, put four to the test. BY GILLIAN LIM
Pet carriers that make commuting with your furkid a breeze.
LD Pet Trolley 3-in-1
Backpack Carrier
from starpetshub.com
Price: $82 Features: Boasting plenty of room and excellent ventilation, this Oxford cloth bag can hold furkids up to 8kg. Its three meshed panels (two on the side and one on the front) are covered by cloth flaps, which can be secured by velcro straps and buttoned in place should you choose to roll them up. Measuring 44cm by 30cm by 105cm, it can be carried as a backpack or pulled as a trolley.
Verdict: By far the biggest out of the four carriers, this bag is great for shy or timid furkids that find comfort hiding in dark places—all its mesh panels can be covered by cloth flaps. However, once all three cloth flaps were closed, it became too stuffy for Bobby—he couldn’t stop snorting, which indicated that it was too warm. Though its base was comfortably padded, the back of the bag lacked support. The adjustable telescopic handles could be felt through the fabric. This carrier is better suited as a trolley bag than a backpack, as its bulky frame makes it heavy and unwieldy to lug around.
Score:
Ferplast Malibu Pet Carrier Bag
from reinbiotech.com Price: $57.80 Features: Made entirely from water-resistant nylon, this carrier bag can fit pets up to 5kg and doubles as a handbag or shoulder bag. Measuring 33cm by 21.5cm by 24cm, this carrier has four built-in grommets for ventilation, and the top mesh zipped panel has a velcro strip. Verdict: Bringing Scotty out in this lightweight carrier was a breeze because of how sturdy the bag’s frame and base were. The velcro strap held the top mesh zipped panel in place despite the cat’s repeated attempts to pry it open. However, it wasn’t tall enough for Scotty to stand and stretch his legs when closed shut. Score:
Meloni Coco Tutti Sora Pet Carrier
from furrplay.com
Price: $260
Features: With three linear sleeves lining the front of the bag and two hidden pockets, this faux leather bag boasts a water-resistant nylon lining and two mesh zipped panels: one on the top and another on the side of the bag. Made in Korea and measuring 38cm by 25cm by 15cm, this carrier comes with a detachable padded shoulder strap and can fit pets up to 4kg. Verdict: Although the priciest of the four, this pet carrier was very sturdy and using it was a hassle-free experience. The padded shoulder strap offered extra comfort when carrying heavy furkids and the meshed panels were smooth to the touch. Bobby was initially disturbed by the strong faux leather smell, but he quickly got comfortable in the bag because it was padded and smooth on the inside. The carrier is so chic—it came with a dust bag—that we even considered this for personal use! Score:
Petcomer Trolley Backpack Pet Carrier
from kohepets.com.sg
Price: $81.50
Features: Sporting a large mesh zipped opening and breathable netting on three sides, this versatile carrier functions as a backpack and trolley, and can fit furkids up to 9kg. With a soft frame, an adjustable telescopic handle and water-resistant PVC coating, this polyester bag comes with padded shoulder straps. It measures 36cm by 30cm by 49cm.
Verdict: Lightweight and easy to use, this carrier was ergonomic and sturdy, thanks to its firm back and base. The big mesh opening, which was divided into a top and bottom panel by separate zips, was suitable for felines as it provided access to the lower partition without having to unzip the entire "door". However, the trolley had problems standing on its own because it only has two wheels at the base. Score: