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Choosing a cat carrier is serious business. The right carrier will be comfortable for your cat, but also easy for you to carry. Most importantly, the carrier needs to be able to protect your cat. Just about everyone I know has had a flimsy carrier fall apart. This usually results in a humorous story about running late for the vet appointment while they coaxed the cat out of a closet. But if a carrier fails outdoors, or in a busy airport, your frightened cat could be gone for weeks.
How to Choose a Cat Carrier
Cat carriers come in many styles, from soft-sided shoulder bags and backpacks to hard plastic kennels. The best one for your cat will depend on how you plan to use it. A good carrier for a quick trip to the vet is probably different from the one needed to protect your cat in a pressurized, temperature-controlled cargo bay. And the carrier that can fit under an airplane passenger seat is not a good choice if you’re taking a kitty for multi-day car trips and overnights at hotels.
When looking at soft-sided carriers, check the security of the zippers (some lock, some don’t) and hook-and-loop closures. Also, think about how well your cat would be protected if the carrier were jostled or hit.
When evaluating hard-sided carriers, take consider the type of closures that hold the two parts of the carrier together. Those include screws, side-snaps, plastic pegs, sliding plastic locks, and plastic knobs. If you need to take the carrier apart for storage, make sure the closures are made from durable materials that won’t loosen or wear down. If you think you’ll need to take the carrier apart to get a timid cat out of the carrier, look for closures that are easy to manipulate, such as side snaps. The Animal Hospital of North Asheville goes into helpful detail about these issues.
Be sure to measure your cat and then double-check the product specs to ensure the right fit. Your cat should be able to stand, sit, turn around, and lie down comfortably in their carrier. The folks at PetMD have some additional tips. They suggest that if your cat is going to be in the carrier for more than just a quick a vet trip, figure in additional space for food and water bowls.
Check Out the Best Cat Carriers
Now you’re ready to browse our list of popular and top-rated cat carriers around (we group them in two: soft-sided and hard-sided). Some of these cat carriers are described as “airline-approved,” but be sure to double-check your airline’s current specifications before traveling.
Soft-Sided Carriers
One of the best basic soft-sided cat carriers around, this comes complete with a soft fleece bed to keep your cat comfy on a trip to the vet or a longer-distance journey.
What we like:
- Two ways to carry: handles and adjustable shoulder strap
- Top and side zippers for easy in and out
- Conforms to under-seat dimensions of most airlines
- Tough breathable mesh on all four sides
Your cat, securely enclosed in what looks like a stylish shopping bag? It could happen. This inexpensive, ultra-light carrier with one large zippered side opening gets high ratings from purchasers. Some people insist their cat loves to sleep in the tent-like carrier at home, too! It’s water-resistant polyester and mesh and collapses for storage. Sized for cats up to 17 pounds.
What we like:
- Folds quickly and easily for storage
- The sturdy fabric is designed for durability and safety
- Extra-large ventilation windows help your cat feel at ease
We think this is a great idea—zip up the sides when you want to fit your cat under a plane seat, expand the carrier when you reach your destination to give your cat some leg room. It’s available in two lengths: 17 inches and 20 inches.
What we like:
- Soft cloth lining is machine washable
- Side pocket and luggage strap for travel
- Folds completely flat for storage
This is one of the coolest cat carriers we’ve seen. It’s not just a cat backpack carrier—it’s also a car seat and roller bag with telescoping handles.
What we like:
- Has expandable sides and pouches
- Telescoping handle stores out of the way—just like a suitcase
- Removable pad for comfort
Looking for something tough in a soft-sided carrier? This bag-style carrier includes a stiff metal frame that helps safeguard your pet in case of collisions. The medium size works for most cats, and some airlines allow it in-cabin.
What we like:
- Sturdy framework
- Comfortable quilted liner
- Convenient shoulder strap
This airline-approved (on most airlines) carrier is a shape that’s natural for even a larger cat to fit into and is also easy for you to carry. A convenient external pocket lets you tuck in a harness, leash, or your cat’s travel papers. Intended for pets up to 20 pounds.
What we like:
- Durable mesh-covered windows offer ventilation, while adjustable covers give your pet some privacy
- Machine-washable fleece liner
- Can be carried backpack-style, over the shoulder, or by hand
Hard-Sided Carriers
This popular plastic cat carrier is a good option for transporting cats to and from the vet. Well-ventilated sides let them see out and breathe easy, and the large top door makes it a breeze to get the cat into the carrier. It’s superior to many other top-load carriers because the door tilts back far enough that it can’t slam down while you are trying to load a struggling cat. To store, just unbolt the two pieces and flip the top upside down into the base. It’s available in two sizes, 19 inches and 23 inches—some buyers reported the 23-inch option was a better size for a cat.
What we like:
- Large top-entry and front-entry doors
- The top door can open to the right or left
- The hard plastic shell is easy to clean
This stylish five-in-one convertible cat vehicle lets you go from neighborhood walks to cross-country flights with ease. It’s a cat stroller, a cat carrier, a cat backpack, a car seat, and a wheeled carrier. The smooth zippers and large opening make it easy to get your cat in and out of the plastic main compartment, and the mesh windows and perforated holes give them plenty of ventilation.
What we like:
- Easy-to-understand instructions for switching between the five functions
- Convert to backpack or shoulder carrier with comfortable padded straps
- The comfortable inner padding is removable and machine washable
Here’s a carrier designed for dogs with a small version that also works nicely for cats. The Ruff Land Kennel differs from less expensive hard-side kennels for pets in that it’s all one piece. There are no screws, clips, zippers, or bolts to attach or worry about coming loose on this 10-pound stackable carrier, made in the U.S. But keep in mind: there is only one entrance (front) so you will sacrifice the flexibility of top-loading in return for greater stability and security.
What we like:
- Tough yet flexible plastic in white, orange, or tan
- Small size (20 by 16 by 15 inches) will fit most cats
- Metal grid door can be adjusted to swing either way
Further Reading
Featured image via Chewy