Cat expert issues warning against putting your pet in a trendy celeb-approved backpack
Cat backpacks are becoming increasingly fashionable – thanks in no small part to their appearance in some contemporary pop culture moments.
The bags are backpacks with a transparent ‘window’ that can be used to tote animals around – usually cats, but sometimes small dogs.
And they were divided in opinion, with some people thinking they were useful for taking their pets with them. However, many believe they are cruel.
Despite this, they are a favorite with a whole host of celebrities, who have used the bags.
For example, megastar Taylor Swift was seen with her cat in one in Miss Americana.
Taylor Swift carries her cat in the Miss Americana Netflix documentary, out in Britain from January 31
Claudia Schiffer wears a model of ‘Chip the cat’, a motif from the upcoming major film Argylle
Furthermore, the cat in a backpack has become the motif for what has already become the most talked about film of 2024: retro spy film Argylle, starring Dua Lipa and Henry Cavill.
Due to the cat motif, celebrities were seen carrying a model of the animal from the film in a backpack.
German model Claudia Schiffer looked typically glamorous as she attended the world premiere of spy model Argylle in London earlier this month, carrying a model from the film ‘Chip the cat’ in a bag on her back.
Plus, other celebrities have been out and about toting their cats around in the carriers.
One of them in Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy, who was spotted with her cat in a backpack as she strolled the streets of Sydney.
Actor Kate Beckinsale is another famous fan of the airlines, sharing Instagram photos of herself with beloved moggies Clive and Willow in 2021.
But while all this promotion of the bags means more and more people are tempted to buy into the trend, this isn’t necessarily a good thing, according to an RSPCA spokesperson.
They even told FEMAIL that they would not recommend using the backpack for transporting cats.
Actor Kate Beckinsdale took to Instagram to share photos of herself carrying her beloved cats Clive and Willow in 2021
Meanwhile, actor Anya Taylor-Joy was seen walking the streets in 2022 with her furry companions in one of the carriages
This, they explained, is because “cats naturally hide or try to run away when they feel stressed or scared – but this instinct can be curtailed when they are in these clear bags.”
The spokesperson added that they “know that loving cat owners can have the best intentions in wanting their cats close to them.”
They added: ‘Although cats love to explore and are naturally curious, they are also inherently territorial, meaning they are homely creatures who often feel safest in their own home and environment.’
Finally, the expert pointed out that these backpacks “are often small, very restrictive and can interfere with temperature regulation.”
‘We also advise owners to monitor their cats for signs of stress when engaging in new or different experiences, but this becomes very difficult when cats travel on the backs of their owners,’ they concluded.