The project I would most like to see is a GPS implant micro chip!! One that tracks where the cat is and that could be unique to the cat for use with feeders/cat flaps/identification and insurance etc as well.

 

The problem is such a GPS chip will need its own power supply as it would be actively transmitting, unlike the usual RFID chip which is passive.
One day I suppose a GPS chip could be made, but its more a problem with picking up the very weak transmissions than the chip itself.

 

Not sure as there are excellent products in both areas already, does that matter?

Some thoughts:

• A puppy pad & washable blanket resolve the issues of kitten or cat peeing (or worse) in the carrier! I advise standing the carrier on the puppy pad.
• Can't see the point of a single-use carrier, I think a new owner would be much better off buying a good-quality, long lasting carrier as their kitten will have to go to the vet in the future, and possibly catteries, and possibly shows;
• My kittens go with a blanket, but it has been used at home and smells of home. Otherwise some good-quality washable bedding could go, either fleece or vet-bed type;
• Kittens should go with some of the food & litter they have been eating, so your 'new kitten' kit shouldn't contain either;

• Cat carriers should be:
  • Totally secure
  • robust
  • easy to put cat in / take cat out
  • spare parts should be available

Personally I think the ideal cat carrier already exists in the form of the wire top-openers. I have one that is about 25 years old and going strong. As it's a top-opener it's the easiest type to get a cat in & out of. There are some plastic carriers with an opening top panel but they curve in towards the aperture which means it's not that large or easy to use. They close with a wire rod, ideally coloured bright red to make it easy to spot. As they are a regular cuboid it's fairly easy to make a cover - some cats prefer to be covered, some like to see out. A splash-proof cover can be easy at times. The only improvement I can think of too them is to have the handle in a recess to they stack more easily, and to have a carry handle which is thicker than a bit of wire, as that can cut in somewhat.

Whatever you design remember that adult cats vary in weight from 2kg up to 10kg, maybe exceptionally more, so more than one size might be a good idea.

Given the time mine has lasted (and it's got years to go) I'll not worry too much about the materials it's made from.

 

The other problem with inventing a GPS tracking chip is that you'd want them installed into: husbands/children/parents etc... (ok, not helpful to your project).

If going with a cat carrier I would look for the following (along with what's been mentioned):
* Washable - I'd want to give it a good scrub with disinfectant if needed
* Waterproof (for those who might tiddle - or worse)
* Strong (last thing you want to worry about as you get to the vets is the clips failing, half the carrier falling to the floor and your beloved cat either looking stunned or scarpering!)

The one I currently have came with a foam pad in the bottom, it wasn't easily washable and got thrown away. I use a towel or fleece nowadays.

Hannah

 

Rather than a box, what about a comfy backpack combo duffle. One that can be worn forwards or backwards comfortably and with pockets.

 

@OrientalSlave You can get replacement handles which are much more comfortable to hold: http://www.mdcexports.co.uk/wire-smart-plastic-cat-basket-handles_140703.html

But they are more chunky than the wire handles, so won't resolve the stacking issue.

 

I'd forgotten I'd seen those. Personally I'd rather have metal handles, I feel the plastic ones might break. I suspect a bit of pipe insulation and some duck tape might be a good option!

 

I have no problem remotely charging Huck on a wireless chargeable barrell!

And the thought of a husband tracker way hey!!!

 

Thank you guys for all the responses so far!

*(On a quick note - I'm new to the site and posted this on 2 other threads which got blocked because I posted it 3 different times (totally understandable) just wondering how/if I need to delete those other 2 now? Tried finding a delete post button but it just says locked? Apologies anyway.)*



I really appreciate the comments/feedback and suggestions so far.

Huckybuck: I do believe they exist already unfortunately, though I think the consistent signal pumping out of the chip makes it somewhat pricey as a service to make sure it never switches off even at large distances.




Orientalslave: Cheers for taking the time to reply so much so far, the insights really help. I definitely agree the market is already saturated in products, most of which are good in some areas, and a few are excellent overall!

Im not sure if you're familiar with the 'sleepy pod', > this is a great example of an excellent one so far. This is the type of home/bed/carrier i am thinking of in terms of quality output. Its a pretty gorgeous product, very nice to look at, made of quality materials and appears to be well built - although somewhat pricey for what it is at £200-250, haha.

In terms of it being a saturated market already its not too much of an issue, as I only have to beat other products on their negatives, so for example, the typical carriers that are all plastic (I took one apart in a store the other day, and one was made from 18 pieces of varied plastics) don't top load and instead use a front door - are incredibly ugly things, pretty large (although handy for a maine coon), pretty over engineered and brittle. Most fabric carriers are an upgrade to these, as most fabric carriers are a little easier on the eyes, obviously lighter and more sustainable, and typically top load, front load or 360 load with a zip - (although I spent a day with a rehoming expert who informed me most zip cases aren't ideal as typically the cat escapes by the time the zip has done up - from her experience of being in the industry for several years). The drawbacks I've found from these however are - other than the zip - is that most look like sports bags or footballers wives' bags - and generally although they come with a removable washable blanket the actual fabric outer isn't easily washable.


So, so far from speaking to owners and a few workers from various stores as well as insights from forums, I've been told to focus on:

-Being as easy to wash as possible
-Being as durable and strong as possible
-Reasonably priced within the market - you pay for quality (though the 200-250 range is a no, haha.)
-Be aesthetically designed to fit in with your average modern home/lounge - to not be an eye-sore whatsoever - it should be the obvious choice amongst others in terms of desirable style
-Be able to be used as the spare bed for the cat (as it is recommended that with every cat you have, you should have a main bed each + a single spare - so 1 cat = 2 beds, 2 cat = 3 beds, 3 cats = 4 beds and so on...) - I believe this is down to psychology
-Be able to be used as the main carry box/thing to take a cat in to the vets


Some other suggestions I've had:
-The thing to be mostly see through - either by mesh or holes etc - and to come with a cover or be transformable so you can cover the view for a scared cat - but in a fabric or method that ensures enough airflow into it still
-For it to actually be something else within the house - I've had suggestions of a mini coffee table, foot stool, plant pot holder - all as well as being the cat home/carry case
-To design something that is also a sound dampener for cats that are scared by new/loud noises on the way to the vets

Any thoughts?



Whats more import for you you guys personally:

-Price
-Execution of function (doing what its meant to and doing it well)
-Being multipurpose
-Being desirable in terms of style
-Weight and size and your concern of carrying it alone
-Washability
-Fixability
-Overall quality
-Your cats happiness with the product
-Your happiness with the product

Or any others, or all of the above?


Thanks guys!

 

I'm not sure a GPS microchip is feasible with current technology. How would it be powered? And even if it was, I'd worry about it heating up.

 

Regarding the carrier, it must be openable from the top as a minimum.

Personally I prefer the carriers that can be taken apart easily, removing the top half so the cat can sit in the bottom half for the veterinary examination.

I do 90% of my examinations this way - the only ones I don't are on cats who quickly come out of their own accord, or those where the carrier cannot be dismantled in such a way (which drives me nuts - nothing worse than having to pull a terrified cat out the front of a carrier).

 

I really like the idea of a carrier that can be used as a bed in the house as well. I've recently started getting paranoid about what to do in an emergency if we need to evacuate the house in a hurry - having a carrier that isn't an eye sore is ideal for the purpose. Something else that hasn't been mentioned is making it safe in the car, I usually strap my carriers with the seatbelt and would want to be reassured that any new carrier I got would be safe for car travel.

 

@mikedbpd - I wouldn't use any kind of carrier with a zip, (or zips) having had a bad experience with a zipped carrier when the zip jammed and had to be forced open to free the cat, breaking the zip in the process. So the zip would rule out the Sleepypod for me, aside from the cost.

Personally I do not want a carrier that doubles as a cat bed. I have 17 cat beds in my house for 5 cats, All the beds get used in turn, as cats like to move around and change their sleeping spots. The cat carriers are all stored out of sight on shelves in the back porch, and they stack together, one inside the other.

My requirements for a cat carrier are:

Top opening
Easy to open and close
Strong construction
Very secure when fastened
Comfortable to carry
Large enough for cat to sit upright inside and turn around
Airy
Washable

Those requirements are mostly met by the top-opening wire carriers, which Oriental Slave describes. I have 5 of these of different sizes. I have 2 complaints - one is that the carry handle is uncomfortable especially when carrying a 6.5 kg cat! I would prefer a bulky handle not made of plastic, but perhaps made of covered foam.

My other complaint is there is not enough choice of sizes. For my 2 large cats I need carriers that are taller, (so the cats can sit up in comfort on a longish journey) but I do not need the carriers to be wider or longer than the standard. The current larger size carrier is bigger all round, which is unnecessary and takes up too much room on a car seat.

Another thing I would really like is stylish cat litter trays (covered ones) in black. Similar idea say to the Curver, but taller and larger, so my big cats could use them. The Curver I had has been pensioned off because none of the cats would use it any more due to the low ceiling.

At present I have several of these type of covered trays downstairs which the cats like very much, but I'd like the trays to be of a sturdier construction and in matt black, not a pale colour.

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p.../cat/cat-litter/cat-litter-trays/pets-at-home-all-in-one-cat-box-bed-playground

(note: I removed the toy from the side and the flap from the entrance of each one as these are unsuitable for a 'cat friendly' litter tray )

 

You should see one of my cats bed. It's humongous and they kindly let me share it.