Going to the vet is always stressful for my girls, especially Lexy. Making the vet visit less traumatic begins at home, and for us, it starts with actually getting into the carrier. The type of carrier is also essential. When shopping for a carrier there are several features I look for. I need to be able to slip my girls in easily without a fight, and the carrier needs to be comfortable and offer them security. Today I have a wonderful carrier to share with you.
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sleepypod. Sleepypod is not responsible for the contents of this post. Lola The Rescued Cat only shares information we feel will be of interest to our readers.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase an item after clicking an affiliate link, we will earn a small commission to buy the girls some treats. You will not pay a higher price.
Sleepypod's products never disappoint me because the company has high-quality carriers that offer safety and comfort. The Atom is no exception.
Sleepypod Atom Pet Carrier
The Atom is an impressive carrier. It is compact, sturdy, easy to handle, and very secure in the car. Sleepypod takes pet safety very seriously, and as with all of its carriers, the Atom is certified by the Center for Pet Safety with a five-star rating and is crash tested.
Watching these crash test videos really brings to light how important it is to have a secure carrier when traveling with your cat.
The Atom has won the Cat Fancy Editor's Choice Award, and it is a Fear Free preferred product. I worry much less when the girls are in a Sleepypod carrier because I know this is the safest way for them to travel.
To secure the carrier in the car, open the PPRS (Pet Passenger Restraint System) handilocks on each side of the carrier.
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Then loop the seatbelt through the handilocks and secure the seatbelt.
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I don't worry about stop and go traffic or having to stop short when the girls are this secure.
Sleepypod Atom Key Features
Sleepypod carriers are known for their unique features, and the Atom is no exception.
- Buckles on two sides secure the carrier to a seat belt for car travel.
- The durable rip-stop mesh resists chewing or scratching.
- Double zipper for top or side entries.
- Luggage grade exterior.
- Trolly pocket secures onto telescopic luggage handle for convenient carrying.
- Mesh panels on three sides enable ample airflow and facilitate visibility on three sides.
- The removable privacy panel provides shade, privacy, and protection from air vents or weather.
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Read about additional features here. One of my favorite things about the Atom is how easy it is to use.
The Atom Put to the Test
I tested out the Atom with Lexy, since she was scheduled for her semi-annual checkup. Getting her into it was a breeze. All I had to do was place her in and zip it up.
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| "That wasn't so bad!" |
The Atom was very easy to attach to the seatbelt, and seeing how secure Lexy was gave me some much-needed peace of mind.
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Lexy weighs in at 11 to 11.5 pounds. Depending on the type and size of a carrier, it can be a challenge to carry her. I live in an apartment building, and I have to get downstairs and then walk out to where my car is parked. There isn't always parking in front of the vet's office, so I often struggle to get her into the building. This time it was a piece of cake to carry her. The shape of the carrier, coupled with the shoulder strap, made the process easy. With other carriers Lexy is swinging to a fro as I wrestle with the carrier, switching hands frequently. This time I was able to keep her close to my body and she was in one position whenever we were on the move.
I must say, Lexy was the most stylish cat at the vet in her Atom!
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I loved that I could open up the zipper so I could pet her and give her some reassurance. She was also able to take a glance at her surroundings.
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The doctor and the hospital staff were impressed with the Atom and appreciated how easy it was to get Lexy out of and back into it.
The Atom definitely made our trip to the vet, from start to finish, much easier.
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The Final Verdict
The Sleepypod Atom gets two thumbs up from me, and two paws up from Lexy.
What I love about it:
- I'm able to maneuver the carrier and carry Lexy with ease.
- It easily wipes clean. (Lola had a bit of a sneeze accident when she was standing next to it and I had to clean it off.)
- Lexy was very comfortable in it. The size makes her feel secure, and she's not sliding all over the place.
- Getting Lexy in and out of it is super easy.
- It is very secure in the car.
- I love that I can open the side flap so Lexy can see me and she can get some reassuring pets.
- It's extremely well made. I won't worry about it falling apart.
- It folds flat for storage! For someone who has limited closet space, this is fantastic. I can slip it right under the bed.
This is a carrier I can definitely stand behind when I recommend it to others. Even though I don't travel with my cats, I can see how the Atom would make traveling much easier - especially for air travel. The construction is very sturdy, and I would have no worries about it falling apart or about the zippers failing.
The Atom is a very high-quality carrier that will last a very long time.
Additional Information
The Atom weighs 3.4 pounds. The exterior dimensions are 10.5”H x 8.5”W x 17”L, and the interior dimensions are 9.5”H x 8”W x 16”L. It is recommended for pets under 12 pounds, but to ensure it is the right fit for your cat, be sure to consult Sleepypod's sizing guide.
When folded flat the dimensions are 2.5"H x 10" W x17"L.
It is available in the following stylish colors:
- Jet Black
- Dark Chocolate
- Strawberry Red
- Robin Egg Blue
- Blossom Pink
- True Violet
- First Blush
- Olive
- Charcoal
Where You can Purchase the Atom
The Atom is available on the Sleepypod website and retails for $139.99 with free flat rate shipping available. (Other shipping options are available with additional fees.)
You can also find the Atom on Amazon where is is currently $129.49 (as of the time this is being written.)
It's a Giveaway!
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Sleepypod, one lucky reader will win an Atom for their pet. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents, 18+ years of age, except where prohibited by law. The winners will be selected randomly by Rafflecopter and contacted via email and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize, and a new winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter. Please note that to qualify for the prize a comment must be left on this post. The giveaway closes on Wednesday, November 30 2022, at 12:00 am Eastern Time.
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Good luck to everyone who enters! To stay up to date with Sleepypod, make sure to follow them on social media.
What are your thoughts about the Atom? Tell us in the comments.
Dawn
About the Author:
Dawn White is an award-winning writer/blogger and the author of Lola: Diary of a Rescued Cat. Dawn has been writing in the pet industry for over seven years and has been a contributing writer for the Jackson Galaxy Project’s Cat Pawsitive Pro Program, BlogPaws, and Chewy.com.
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Hello and Meow ~ nice to see you again! And this looks like a really awesome carrier. June is difficult to "get into one" and at 12.5 pounds hard for me to handle, she can be "frisky" to say the least when she suspects something! We won't join the raffle however, as barely a month ago, happened to purchase a new transporter (one on wheels) so there's no need to "carry" her anymore. But the ATOM would have been a good choice! Hugs plus to all, Ann
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought the Atom might be too small for my cats, but if Lexy is 11.5 pounds, they're pretty close. As much as I love the SleepyPod Mobile Pet Bed, it is a bit unwieldly especially with a larger cat! We'll have to look into this one. I love that it's so easy to secure in the car.
ReplyDeleteSleepy Pod is very well built in whatever they make; but always too small for my cats. Katie Isabella is 14 pounds some ounces. Admiral was the same in weight until she was so sick. They produce their products for smaller cats than I have. Darn it. I would love to have their products if only they came in a large size for larger cats. The product seems worth its price.
ReplyDeleteThe size makes them feel secure, and they're not sliding all over the place.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! We love Sleepypod products, but we have yet to try this out. I love this color purple.
ReplyDeleteI really like this design!
ReplyDeleteThat looks very safe and secure! Impressive!
ReplyDeleteI like the color choices
ReplyDeleteThat looks great. I like that it is easy to get a kitty into and out of it. I hate it when the techs take apart my plastic carriers and don't get the back together correctly. XO
ReplyDeleteThey really do make nice carriers and that one looks really nice.
ReplyDeleteI love sleepypod products. Our mobile pet bed is a favorite hangout and travel carrier. This one would be great for our big show trips when we have 3-4 cats to fit in the car.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a super cool carrier! Ava is around 13 pounds, so we wonder if this might be a bit snug for her. In any case, she actually sleeps in her carrier sometimes, so at least getting her in is not an issue. :)
ReplyDeleteI love that the Sleepypod Atom is crash-tested.
ReplyDeleteI like that it is crash tested and all of the colors that are available
ReplyDeleteI like that it is very easy to attach to a seat belt.
ReplyDeleteI like that it folds flat for storage.
ReplyDeleteI like the size, perfect for some of my smaller cats. I also like the ease of attaching it to the seatbelts. (Tammy Horn)
ReplyDeleteThe size & that it is easily cleaned!
ReplyDeleteSafety and comfort - those are the main things I always look for when I need to transport our fur family. The Atom looks like it covers both.
ReplyDeletethat the inside is washable bedding. and fits under the airline seat, folds flat, and can strap into seatbelt.
ReplyDeleteThe durable rip-stop mesh resists chewing or scratching.
ReplyDeleteI like that it's not too big or too small and lightweight.
ReplyDeleteI like the size and variety of colors.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the safety features. Being able to buckle up the carrier in the car is comforting.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Not only is it safety tested but stylish too.
ReplyDeleteI like the overall look of the carrier and that I can trust it's well made.
ReplyDeleteIt is SO stylish!
ReplyDeleteThat sure looks like the kind of carrier I would have gotten in the past. If I win, being 'catless' at the moment, I would donate it to the cat shelter here in town. They are great and I am sure would love to have one for a deserving foster kitty pawrent.
ReplyDeleteVery nice!
ReplyDeleteI like that it's comfortable to carry and the perfect size
ReplyDeleteI love that it folds flat and wipes clean
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that it's crash tested and easily to buckle in.
ReplyDeleteI like tht it is easy to clean and also to store.
ReplyDeleteI like that it is easy to clean and also to store (I reposted my comment as first one was posted as Anonymous).
ReplyDeleteI like the luggage grade exterior. It looks durable.
ReplyDeleteI love its size
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it is really easy to clean.
ReplyDeleteTW loves that lilac color and that it folds flat. She just doesn't know how easy it will be to get me kicking and screaming in it.
ReplyDeleteMy elderly cat has trauma from being moved 2 and 1/2 hours to his new home. He sees the crate and disappears. Thank you for this info. I feel like it will make his travel much better (and mine as well).
ReplyDeleteI looks like it would make them feel safer with the smaller enclosure!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to win, this looks like an amazing way to carry my new little fur baby!
ReplyDeleteGreat carrier :)
ReplyDeleteMy senior cat HATES his kennel carrier and hides everytime it’s brought out. I’m hoping this one doesn’t freak him out so much !!
ReplyDeleteI love that it folds up to be put away. Nice design.
ReplyDeleteI love that it's lightweight, so it won't really add to the weight on my shoulder when I carry it.
ReplyDeleteThe mesh air vents seem strategically placed and just enough. Although cats tend to get into confined spaces they still need safe and ample breathing room.
ReplyDeleteThat really looks like the purrfect carrier for kitties, Lola and Lexy and so very handy to carry it around with you. We wished we could enter for it, but we're from the Netherlands and I suppose that's to far for the travel🙈 Great review! Double Pawkisses from us to all of you, and good luck to effurryone🐾😽💞
ReplyDeleteI really like how easily it can be secured with a seat belt, that is a great safety feature.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite feature is the ability to safely transport my cat! Things can happen so fast in a vehicle it would be great to know they will stay in place should an unfortunate accident take place. It looks easier to handle the carrier than the bulky cat crates that they hate going into. thanks for the awesome opportunity
ReplyDeleteIts secure in the car.
ReplyDeleteI love the seatbelt loop!! It’s such a simple design to make sure your pet is safe. I’ve only ever seen others being able to hook around big handles.
ReplyDeleteI like that you can buckle it in
ReplyDeleteI love that you know your cat is secure in the car. I worry about this.
ReplyDeleteAmazing concept! No more hard plastic "cages" for cat transport. A must for all cat lovers.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite feature about the Atom is the tether that comes with it that can be attached to a pet's harness.
ReplyDeleteSome cats can be put in carriers, and some can't.
ReplyDeleteI once had a huge cat that I put in a carrier and attached a collar with a leash. He was out of it in less than a minute, luckily inside the house.
And one time, one of my cats got out of a locked cage.
Perhaps the only way to take a crazy cat that keeps testing the door is in a cage inside a carrier, just to be on the safe side.