If you’re a cat owner, you know how tricky it can be to take your kitty from one place to another. Whether you need to bring your cat to the vet, on a road trip, or on a flight, you want to make sure they are safe, comfy, and calm. That’s why picking the right cat carrier is super important.
But with so many options out there, how do you know which is the best for your cat? In this article, we’ll help you find the answer by showing you some of the best cat carriers on the market, as well as giving you some tips on how to pick the one that fits your needs and preferences.
What to Look for in a Cat Carrier
Before we get into our top picks for the best cat carriers, let’s go over some of the features and factors that you should think about when shopping for one. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Size: The size of the carrier should match the size of your cat. You don’t want it to be too small, as that would make your cat feel squished and scared. You also don’t want it to be too big, as that would make your cat feel insecure and unstable. Ideally, the carrier should be big enough for your cat to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not much more than that.
- Material: The material of the carrier should be sturdy, easy to clean, and breathable. You want a carrier that can handle scratches, bites, and wear and tear, as well as one that can be wiped or washed easily in case of messes or spills. You also want a carrier that has enough holes or mesh panels to let air flow and prevent overheating.
- Design: The design of the carrier should be handy, secure, and cozy. You want a carrier that has handles or straps that are easy to carry and adjust, as well as zippers or locks that are strong and reliable. You also want a carrier with openings or doors that are easy to access and close, as well as soft and snug padding or lining.
- Type: The type of carrier should match the type of travel or transport that you plan to do with your cat. There are different types of carriers for different purposes, such as soft-sided carriers, hard-sided carriers, backpack carriers, wheeled carriers, car seat carriers, and airline-approved carriers. Each type has its own pros and cons, depending on your needs and preferences.
The size of the carrier should match the size of your cat. You don’t want it to be too small, as that would make your cat feel squished and scared
Our Top Picks for the Best Cat Carriers
Now that you know what to look for in a cat carrier, let’s take a look at some of the best ones that we’ve found online. We’ve picked these products based on their quality, features, reviews, and ratings. Here are our top picks for the best cat carriers:
Best Overall Cat Carrier: Sleepypod Air In-Cabin Pet Carrier
The Sleepypod Air In-Cabin Pet Carrier is our best overall cat carrier because it combines style, function, and comfort in one product. This carrier is made to fit under most airline seats while giving plenty of space for your cat to stretch out and relax. It also has a foldable design that lets you adjust its size according to the available space.
The Sleepypod Air In-Cabin Pet Carrier is made of tough nylon with mesh windows on three sides for ventilation and visibility. It also has a plush polyester lining that can be taken out and washed easily. It also has a padded shoulder strap and a trolley pocket that can hook onto your luggage handle for easy transport.
The Sleepypod Air In-Cabin Pet Carrier also has some extra features that make it stand out from other carriers. It has a zipper pocket for storing treats or toys, a privacy panel for blocking out light or noise, and a safety strap for keeping your cat inside. It also comes with a padded pet bed that can be used inside or outside the carrier.
The Sleepypod Air In-Cabin Pet Carrier is good for cats up to 17.5 pounds and comes in six colors: black, blue, brown, green, orange, and red. It measures 22 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches when fully expanded and 16 x 10 x 8 inches when compressed. It weighs 4 pounds and costs $199.95.
Why we love it:
- It’s stylish and versatile: This carrier looks sleek and modern while being adaptable to different situations. You can use it as a regular carrier or as an in-cabin pet carrier when flying with your cats.
- It’s foldable and adjustable: This carrier can be folded down or expanded depending on the space available. You can make it smaller to fit under the seat or larger to give your cats more room to move around.
- It’s comfy and cozy: This carrier has a soft and plush lining that makes your cats feel warm and snug. It also comes with a padded pet bed that you can use inside or outside the carrier for extra comfort.
- It has extra features: This carrier has a zipper pocket for storing treats or toys, a privacy panel for blocking out light or noise, and a safety strap for keeping your cats inside. These features make traveling with your cats more convenient and enjoyable.
Best Budget Cat Carrier: AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Mesh Pet Travel Carrier
The AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Mesh Pet Travel Carrier is our best budget cat carrier because it offers a simple yet effective way to transport your cat at an affordable price. This carrier is made of sturdy polyester with mesh panels on four sides for ventilation and visibility. It also has a fleece-lined base that can be taken out and washed easily.
The AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Mesh Pet Travel Carrier has two openings: one on the top and one on the front. Both have zippers that can be locked with a clip for extra security. It also has two handles and an adjustable shoulder strap for easy carrying. It also has a luggage strap that can hook onto your suitcase handle for convenience.
The AmazonBasics Soft-Sided Mesh Pet Travel Carrier is good for cats up to 16 pounds and comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large. The small size measures 14 x 9 x 9 inches and weighs 1.8 pounds. The medium size measures 16.5 x 9.4 x 9.8 inches and weighs 2.2 pounds. The large size measures 19.7 x 10.2 x 11.2 inches and weighs 2.8 pounds. The prices range from $19.99 to $29.99, depending on the size.
Why we love it:
- It’s simple and effective: This carrier is easy to use and does the job well. It has enough space, ventilation, and visibility for your cats to feel comfortable and calm.
- It’s affordable and available: This carrier is cheap and easy to find online. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to get a decent carrier for your cats.
- It’s handy and secure: This carrier has two openings that can be locked with a clip for extra security. We also love how it has two handles and an adjustable shoulder strap for easy carrying. It also has a luggage strap that can hook onto your suitcase handle for convenience.
- It’s easy to clean: This carrier has a fleece-lined base that can be taken out and washed easily. You don’t have to worry about stains or odors in the carrier.
Best Plastic Cat Carrier: Petmate Two Door Top Load Pet Kennel
The Petmate Two Door Top Load Pet Kennel is our best plastic cat carrier because it offers a strong and secure option for transporting your cat. This carrier is made of heavy-duty plastic with a steel wire door on the front and a plastic door on the top. Both have latches that can be locked with a clip for extra security.
The Petmate Two Door Top Load Pet Kennel has ventilation holes on all sides for air circulation and visibility. It also has a handle on the top for easy carrying. It also has four rubber feet that stop it from sliding or scratching the floor.
The Petmate Two Door Top Load Pet Kennel is good for cats up to 15 pounds and comes in two sizes: small and medium. The small size measures 19 x 12 x 10 inches and weighs 3 pounds. The medium size measures 24 x 16 x 14 inches and weighs 5 pounds. The prices range from $29.99 to $39.99, depending on the size.
Why we love it:
- It’s sturdy and secure: This carrier is made of hard plastic that can withstand bumps and drops while keeping your cats safe inside. We also love how it has two doors that can be locked with a clip for extra security.
- It’s easy to access: This carrier has two doors: one on the front and one on the top. This makes it easier for us to put our cats in or take them out of the carrier without any hassle.
- It’s durable and reliable: This carrier is made of high-quality materials that can last for a long time without breaking or cracking. We also love how it has a handle on the top for easy carrying.
- It’s ventilated and visible: This carrier has ventilation holes on all sides that allow air flow and prevent overheating. We also love how it allows us to see our cats inside the carrier.
Best Backpack Cat Carrier: Lollimeow Pet Carrier Backpack
The Lollimeow Pet Carrier Backpack is our best backpack cat carrier because it offers a fun and fashionable way to carry your cat around. This carrier is made of tough canvas with a transparent bubble window on the front for your cat to enjoy the view. It also has mesh panels on the sides and back for ventilation and visibility.
The Lollimeow Pet Carrier Backpack has a zipper opening on the top and a zipper pocket on the side for storing treats or toys. It also has padded shoulder straps and a chest buckle for comfortable and secure wearing. It also has a removable mat that can be washed easily.
When not being carried, the back also expands outward, giving your cat more space.
The Lollimeow Pet Carrier Backpack is good for cats up to 13 pounds and comes in four colors: black, gray, pink, and yellow. It measures 11 x 11 x 16 inches and weighs 2 pounds. It costs $39.99.
Why we love it:
- It’s fun and fashionable: This carrier looks cute and trendy while being practical and functional. You can show off your cats to the world while keeping them happy and relaxed.
- It’s spacious and comfy: This carrier has a large bubble window that gives your cats plenty of room to move around and enjoy the view. We also love how it has a soft and cozy mat that makes your cats feel warm and snug.
- It’s handy and convenient: This carrier has a zipper opening on the top that makes it easy to put your cats in or take them out of the carrier. We also love how it has a zipper pocket on the side that lets us store treats or toys for our cats.
- It’s easy to wash: This carrier has a removable mat that can be washed easily. We don’t have to worry about dirt or fur in the carrier.
Best Car Seat Cat Carrier: K&H Pet Products Bucket Booster Pet Seat
The K&H Pet Products Bucket Booster Pet Seat is our best car seat cat carrier because it offers a safe and cozy option for traveling with your cat by car. This carrier is made to fit in the front or back seat of most vehicles and lift your cat to enjoy the view. It also has a tether that can hook onto your cat’s harness or collar for extra safety.
The K&H Pet Products Bucket Booster Pet Seat is made of sturdy polyester with a quilted fleece lining that can be taken out and washed easily. It also has two openings: one on the front and one on the back. Both have zippers that can be closed or opened partially or fully depending on your preference.
The K&H Pet Products Bucket Booster Pet Seat is good for cats up to 20 pounds and comes in two sizes: small and large. The small size measures 14 x 18 x 16 inches and weighs 4 pounds. The large size measures 14 x 22 x 19 inches and weighs 7 pounds. The prices range from $64.99 to $79.99, depending on the size.
Why we love it:
- It’s safe and cozy: This carrier keeps our cats secure and comfortable while traveling by car. We also love how it has a tether that hooks onto our cats’ harnesses or collars for extra safety.
- It’s handy and adjustable: This carrier fits in the front or back seat of most vehicles and lifts our cats to enjoy the view. We also love how it has two openings that can be closed or opened partially or fully depending on our preference.
- It’s easy to clean: This carrier has a quilted fleece lining that can be taken out and washed easily. We don’t have to worry about spills or stains in the carrier.
- It’s elevated and visible: This carrier raises our cats to enjoy the view while traveling by car. We also love how it allows us to see our cats inside the carrier.
Best Collapsible Cat Carrier: Pet Magasin Hard Cover Collapsible Cat Carrier
The Pet Magasin Hard Cover Collapsible Cat Carrier is our best collapsible cat carrier because it offers a unique and innovative way to transport your cat. This carrier has a hard cover that can be folded flat for easy storage. It also has a soft base that can be taken out and washed easily. It also has mesh windows, handles, and straps for convenience.
The Pet Magasin Hard Cover Collapsible Cat Carrier has a removable zippered lid for easy access. It also opens from both the top and front. It also has a padded shoulder strap and a handle for easy carrying. It also has a safety buckle that can attach to your car seat belt for extra security.
The Pet Magasin Hard Cover Collapsible Cat Carrier is good for cats up to 18 pounds and comes in two colors: blue and orange. It measures 17 x 13 x 14 inches when fully opened and 17 x 13 x 4 inches when folded. It weighs 2.6 pounds and costs $39.99.
Why we love it:
- It’s unique and innovative: This carrier has a hard cover that can be folded flat for easy storage. This makes it very convenient and space-saving. We also love how it has a soft base that makes our cats feel comfortable and cozy.
- It’s handy and accessible: This carrier has a removable zippered lid that makes it easy to put our cats in or take them out of the carrier. We also love how it opens from both the top and front for more options.
- It’s easy to carry and secure: This carrier has a padded shoulder strap and a handle for easy carrying. We also love how it has a safety buckle that can attach to our car seat belt for extra security.
- It’s ventilated and visible: This carrier has mesh windows that allow air flow and prevent overheating. We also love how it allows us to see our cats inside the carrier.
Other Recommended Products
Besides our top picks, we also recommend these products that are worth checking out:
- PetAmi Deluxe Pet Carrier Backpack: This is a roomy and comfy backpack carrier that has multiple mesh windows, pockets, straps, and features that make it easy to carry your cat around.
- Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed: This is a cozy and luxurious pet bed that can also be used as a carrier or a car seat. It has a dome-shaped cover that can be zipped on or off, depending on your cat’s preference. It also has a plush lining that can be taken out and washed easily.
- Petmate Sky Kennel: This is a sturdy and secure hard-sided carrier that is approved by most major airlines. It has a steel wire door, ventilation holes, and a handle for easy transport. It also comes with a food and water dish, a live animal sticker, and an ID tag.
How We Tested the Cat Carriers
To make sure that we give you the best and most reliable information, we tested the cat carriers ourselves using a rigorous and objective testing process. Here’s how we did it:
- Research: We searched online to find the most popular and highly rated cat carriers on the market. We also talked to cat experts and owners for their opinions and feedback on different types of carriers.
- Selection: We picked the top 10 products based on their quality, features, reviews, and ratings. We also considered their price, availability, and suitability for different purposes and preferences.
- Testing: We tested each product using our own cats as well as some volunteers’ cats. We rated each product based on its size, material, design, type, comfort, security, convenience, durability, and appearance. We also noted any pros and cons that we noticed during the testing.
- Analysis: We analyzed the results of our testing and compared them with the online reviews and ratings. We also considered the feedback from the cat experts and owners that we talked to. We then ranked the products from best to worst based on our overall evaluation.
- Review: We wrote this article to share our findings and recommendations with you. We also included some tips and advice on how to choose the best cat carrier for your cat.
