I am wondering if you've met anybody who uses a cat backpack? My 18lb tuxedo is a resistant to being put into his crate, and in a fire drill generally has to be abandoned. I've noticed the backpacks seem more user friendly, especially side access, but I'd love to get some (non-performative) feedback.
I use a cat backpack!
I’ve heard (and experienced) both pros and cons to using a cat backpack. Because it’s different from the crate and you haven’t taken him to the vet in it, he might more readily build a positive association with it. I keep my backpack out 24/7 and my boys use it like a cat bed.
That being said, backpacks are kind of awkwardly shaped, and also quite soft. If your cat doesn’t like the experience of being stuffed into a carrier, he might also dislike when you do the same with a backpack. Because of the soft insides (and outsides in some cases), he could easily snag his claws on it and prevent you from putting him in there properly. When Dave doesn’t want to go into his backpack, it’s usually a 2+ person ordeal trying to put him in. I’m also not sure how many cat backpacks are made for 18lbs cats, though you might be able to use a dog backpack instead.
In my opinion, you might have more success training him to like and enter his crate readily rather than spending a lot of money on a backpack only to encounter the same problems as with the crate. I’d also worry that a soft backpack has more potential for him to escape compared to a crate. There’s a lot of different carriers that can open from the top/side/front that could help you and your kitty. If you leave the crate out 24/7 and feed him all his meals in there, he should build up a positive association with it. You can also train him to go to a place on command, which might help in the case of a fire/drill.
Does anyone else have any experiences with cat backpacks? Pros and cons?
