A year ago we became pet parents for the first time. In April 2019 we rescued and adopted an adult male cat. Then in December 2019 we rescued and adopted a small kitten. Over the course of a year we learned a lot about how to take care of our beloved furry friends and how to keep their things clean.
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Cats by nature are very clean animals. They will bath themselves multiple times a day. They like everything around them to be clean…this includes their cat beds, toys, play areas, food dishes, pet carriers, etc. When cleaning things you need to use a non-toxic or natural cleaner that is safe for use around your pets.
We do a lot of traveling and we take our furry friends in for regular vet and grooming appointments. To transport our cat to and from various places he rides in a pet or cat carrier. We prefer using a hard-sided carrier which is easier to clean!
The first thing you want to do is remove anything that is inside your carrier…toys, blanket, feeding dishes, whatever. Everything must come out! You will wipe those items down and clean them separately.
I like to take our pet carrier outside where its easy to clean. I spray it down with our garden hose…inside and out. If you can pop off the top…do it…and clean each piece separately. After you have “hosed” out all of the visible dirt and debris its time to your spray cleaning.
I buy non-toxic, pet-safe, all-purpose cleaners from Amazon. There are several different companies that make them. Read all of the directions and precisely follow them. You don’t want to over-dilute or under-dilute the product that you’re using. Spray the cleaner inside and outside of the carrier…make sure you get it into all of the nooks and crannies. Follow the instructions on the package on how long you should let the product sit. You can use a clean cotton cloth to wipe down the inside and outside to help remove stubborn dirt and stains. Treat those stubborn areas a second time.
Once I’m done cleaning it I like to spray it down with our garden hose to completely rinse it. Make sure you open up all of the access doors and turn it upside down to help let the water drain out. Let it air dry on a nice warm day.
How often should you clean your pet carrier? In my honest opinion…it should be done every time you use it. Keeping it clean will stop the spread of viruses, parasites, and bacteria that can make you and/or your pet sick!
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I clean ours before they go and also when they come back from the vets.We do not travel with them, so most times the carrier is sitting for awhile. I always figure they might have a spider or something in them. I also have a pad inside each carrier but those I keep in a tote and clean thoe after each visit.
This show me a great way to clean a pet carrier. I shall pass it on to my daughter-in-law.
I clean mine after every vet visit. My cat already hates going in the carrier but I think it makes him even more agitated if it has the smell from the vet clinic especially with cats having such a keen sense of smell.
I clean our pet carriers but this reminds me that I need to do it again. I haven’t had to use them in quite a while. I am so getting some of that natural cleaner on Amazon that is a great price for a three pack. Thanks for sharing this one I love reading about pet care and products.
OMG When I had cats I never cleaned the carrier. I just didn’t think it was dirty now I know and you better believe it will be done