They see me strollin'...they hatin'..
Last Caturday, I featured a post on Kalimah, the Evian drinking diva kitty. In addition to her hot feline fashions, a lot of you also took notice of her super styling stroller, which her owner Tasha reported, "she loved riding in on warm spring days."
Who wouldn't want their cats to come running for an activity?
It all got me thinking, what's the deal with cats on wheels? My two are strictly indoor cats, but like most, their favorite time of year is when it's warm outside and the windows are open. They delight in the breeze blowing through their whiskers, and cooling off their sun-soaked black fur in a shady windowsill. Could a pet stroller be the perfect way to safely allow them some extra fresh air, while adding excitement to their lives?
I did a Google search for "Cat strollers," and was overwhelmed by the variety of results that popped up. I quickly learned that buying a stroller for your pet is not much different than picking one out for a human baby (something I also know nothing about). What was I getting myself into?
Wanting to start with the basics, I pondered these three points suggested by Just Pet Strollers:
- Size - Is the stroller the appropriate size for your pet? You want to make sure that they have enough room to sit and lay down comfortably, and that the stroller will support their weight.
- Privacy - How social is your cat? Some strollers have sections where cats can see outside, but also have a private, tented space for shyer kitties to enjoy the ride incognito.
- Enclosure - Pet strollers are mesh enclosed so your cat can safely enjoy the view, but some have the option to remove the covering, while others do not. The site suggests a benefit of cat strollers that may be opened is that they can be used as beds or perches inside the home, and can help get your cat used to them before going outside. Besides whether or not it opens, I think that the strength of the mesh used to make the stroller would be my biggest concern overall. What if my cat gets scared or overexcited? Will it withstand the force of rogue kitty claws?
In addition to these factors, The "Pet Stroller Buying Guide," (also from the
Just Pet Strollers site), goes into a lengthier list of detailed points to think about, such as:
- Consider the terrain. (Are you taking kitty hiking, or on a jaunt around the cul-de-sac?)
- Travel and storage needs
- Use (Will you be jogging or walking?)
- Consider if you'll stroll in inclement weather. (I can safely say the answer to this question is no.)
- Storage (Some strollers come with "parent trays" to lug all of your junk in addition to Snowball's water, treats, toys, etc.)
- Safety features
Got all that? Congrats, because once you've figured out the answers to all of those questions, you're ready to move on to the final step: Selecting the stroller size, style, and color that's right for you! I'm hesitant to recommend any particular brand, because I haven't tried them myself, but here are a few models that stood out in my search:
The Basic Stroller (Are you going to mess with this lady? Because I'm not): Sahara Happy Trails Stroller - Doctors Foster and Smith, $116.99
The Super Deluxe "For Your Trip To Mt. Everest" Stroller: All Terrain Pet Stroller - Nip and Bones, $277.00
The Double Decker "My Cats Hate Each Other" Stroller: Kittywalk Double Decker Pet Stroller - Just Pet Strollers, $269.95
I think pet strollers are a great idea, although they can be an investment, and there's a lot to think about before getting one. I'm curious to know, do any of you want or have one? If you have one, do you and your cat like it? What's the reaction you get from strangers on the street?? So many questions, so little time..Please let me know in the comments!
And lest we forget, if a cat stroller isn't for you, there's always the "cat pack," like this one spotted on the streets of Brooklyn a few months ago - purrfect for your kitty on the go! 
Cats on Wheels: Let's Talk Pet Strollers