There are few things quite as relaxing as a bike ride. If you are like me and you love your cat(s), you may want to take your animal on a bike ride with you. There are a few things to consider when you plan your next bike ride with your favorite pet.
Taking your animal with you when you cycle is different from taking your animal on a walk. Cats are naturally curious animals and may actually love to travel on a leisurely trip with you.
As humans, we love to share our experiences with those we love. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that your animal actually loves riding with you.
Luckily for cat owners, there are several options available to transport your furry friend on the ride with you. A cat bike basket is a great way to ensure that your animal is safe and secure on the trip. However, there are a few things to consider before you make that purchase.
Top cat baskets to transport your animal
The following items are the top-rated items on Amazon and offer some great features including quality material, price, durability, style, and comfort for your animal.
This basket ticks all the right blocks. Ideally made with dogs in mind, it is also suitable for small to medium sized cats. First and foremost, this basket is removable and foldable. You can attach the basket with a quick-release handlebar mount. It is ideal for transporting your cat or if you plan on going shopping for some groceries, this basket is up for the task.
The basket is lightweight and durable. It is made with a sturdy metal frame, a modern quick release handlebar adapter that can easily snap off of the handlebars, solid oxford fabric, and quality craftsmanship. It is stylish, practical, waterproof, and easy to clean. The basket can hold up to 18 pounds, which makes it perfect to carry your small to medium-sized pets.
The advantages are that it is easy to operate, offers great features, and offers value for money. The disadvantages are that it may not be as secure as other carriers, and the zipper may not be as good quality as the other features on the product.
This option may be on the pricier side, but it is still one of the top rated baskets on Amazon at the moment, which says a lot about the product.
When it comes to bike baskets, this might be the ideal one for those animals that are comfortable and trained to travel in a basket. This basket is made of weather-resistant resin wicker. The interior is made of a soft fleece liner, which means that your dog/cat will be comfy for the entire trip.
You can attach the basket to the handlebars of your bicycle with brackets and safety straps. There is an added safety tether that links to your pets safety harness/leash. The removable sun shield is light weight and will protect your animal from the sun on your bicycle rides. The product is machine washable, and can hold up to 13 pounds in weight.
The advantages of this product include the fact that it is very easy to install and the product overall is very well made. Simply attach it to the bicycle and remove it after cycling. There is plenty of room in the basket for small to medium sized dogs and cats and the interior is comfortable while the exterior is sturdy.
The disadvantages of this product is that it is actually made of plastic that resembles wicker. The cost of the product is more pricey than other products in its range and the ad for the product may be more deceptive as it does not make it clear that the product is made of plastic and not actual wicker.
This item is one of the more inexpensive items on the list. If you aren’t interested in spending too much money on a basket but still want something that is sturdy and reliable, this basket is perfect. This product features a quick-release handlebar mounting system that you can attach to your bicycle.
This is a multi-purpose carrier that can be used for a variety of things, such as buying groceries, it can be used to carry small items, and it can carry small to medium sized pets. It is lightweight and made from durable materials, the basket is made of oxford cloth with a built-in waterproof coating. It is very easy to clean. Simply rinse the basket after riding your bike and set out in the sun to air-dry.
This basket is ideal for any type of bike and is very easily installed/attached to the bike. The size is big enough to carry your pets and small enough when folded to be easily stored away. It fits at the front of your bike like a rack.
The advantage of this product is that it is very well made with good quality materials. It is very well padded and is easily attached to the bike and just as easily removed after riding the bike. In addition, this product is very sturdy.
The disadvantage of this product is that the plastic connecting device may not be as reliable or as sturdy as it should be.
Things to consider when buying a cat bike basket
So you’ve made the decision and you are going to invest in a bike basket for ‘snowflake’. There are a few considerations when purchasing a bike basket for your pet. Keep in mind that some baskets are ideal for small dogs as well as cats.
So, if you also own a dog, they may also benefit from you making this purchase. You could visit your local bike shop to see what variety they might hold.
Here are a few things to consider to help you decide on the right cat bike basket:
Size
The very first thing you may want to check about your cat bike basket is that it will be the appropriate size to fit your pet inside. You can do this by measuring the size of your cat and then purchasing a bike basket that can accommodate the size of your pet.
In addition to the size, you should also measure how big your cat is and how much your cat weighs. Some bike baskets have a weight limit.
Keep in mind that the bike basket is still only a bike attachment that is attached to the handlebars of your bike. The weight of the attachment may affect the front wheel of the bike and the steering and handling of the bike.
There may be a chance that a bike basket isn’t the most appropriate attachment to transport your pet in.
There are other options such as a cat backpack, a bike trailer, or using a bike cargo. For very small cats, you may want to consider using a cat backpack only, especially if you are going to be transporting one cat only.
In essence, the size of the bike basket should be your very first consideration.
Safety
Make sure your cat is trained to wear a safety tether and that there is an attachment inside the bike basket that makes provision for a safety tether. If your pet is comfortable wearing one, it is best advised to use it.
The last thing you want is for your anxious pet to jump out of the basket while your bicycle is in motion.
Check to see if the bike basket has an attachment for a leash. Especially if the basket is open at the top. You want to secure your animal while you are traveling.
Design
There are a few things to consider when it comes to the design of the basket. You want to make sure that there will be good ventilation for your pet while it is in the basket.
Side pockets are great for storing things like snacks, water, or anything else you may want to take with you on your trip.
Consider the fabric on the inside of the basket. Is it soft and comfortable for your pet? When you are taking your pet on a long leisurely ride, you want to be sure that your cat is going to be comfortable for the whole duration of the ride. Always aim for good quality, durable fabric.
Is your basket waterproof? You may land in the middle of a light drizzle, or even a down pour. You need to make sure that the cat basket is waterproof so that your furry friend stays dry. Does the basket come with a rain cover if it is open at the top?
And, the material that the basket is made of should be durable. It is, after all, an investment that you will be using frequently.
If you only plan on taking your cat out periodically, you will want to invest in a basket that is removable. It should be mounted on the front of the bike and you should be able to remove it with ease.
Some baskets come with a top which will help the animal if it wants to jump out of the carrier. If your cat is comfortable being closed in, then this carrier may be ideal for you.
Alternatively, you may purchase a bike rack and attach your animal’s carrier to the bike rack. There are also bike trailers for animals that are slightly bigger or too big for a bike rack.
Planning your bike ride
Let’s assume that you’ve made the decision and have already purchased your pet carrier. If you have never taken your pet with you in a pet carrier, you may want to get the fluffy fur ball used in the bike basket before you go out for any bike rides.
If your cat is especially prone to being anxious or irritable, it would be wise to prepare your pet by allowing it to sit in the pet carrier before taking it out on that ride. Apart from this, you may also want to harness train your pet before putting them in a bike carrier.
Start small
Once your cat is used to the bike carrier, you may proceed on your maiden voyage. Ideally, start very slow, in a quiet area, until your cat is used to being in the basket and riding with you at that speed.
Initially, start with a few minutes and evaluate their reaction. You don’t want to send your cat into a tail spin. If your cat seems to be enjoying the ride, increase the time spent on the bike, gradually until you reach about 20 minutes.
In addition, gradually increase speed until you reach the standard speed at which you normally ride. Keep in mind that this may happen on the first bike ride or may take several attempts before your cat is fully acclimated to this new situation. It will depend on your cat and its ability to adjust to change.
In addition, take your cat for a ride in areas with little to no noise. As your fluffy friend gets used to your new-found tradition, slowly introduce areas with more sound, people, movement, and other animals.
Be realistic
It’s true, not all paths will be appropriate for you and your feline companion. For example, I really wouldn’t recommend you go mountain biking with your cat. Instead, opt for trails that are smooth and not too bumpy.
Furthermore, some cats do not like to travel at high speeds. It is best advised to keep to a leisurely ride.
So, without further delay, here are 3 animal carriers that may be ideal for transporting your fluffy little furball.