Investing in one of the best cat carriers is money well spent if you're looking for a safe and secure way to transport your feline friend from A to B. Offering the same level of comfort and portability as the best dog travel crates provide for our canine companions, cat carriers are a convenient way to transport your kitty to the vet or to allow them to accompany you on vacation.
When it comes to choosing the right carrier for your furkid, there are a few things worth considering. First up, give some thought to what material would work best for you and your kitty. Strong and sturdy plastic is ideal for nervous cats who find travel stressful as they offer plenty of protection and a sense of security that soft-sided carriers may not. They're also a breeze to clean, so they're a great option if you have a kitty who's prone to having accidents when they're in their carrier.
That being said, there are plenty of perks to cloth and mesh style carriers that make them a top contender. Unlike plastic carriers, they can be folded down and easily tucked away when not in use, making them ideal if you're short on storage space. They're also brilliant for sociable cats who are easy travellers, as they tend to offer a lot more visibility to the outside world, allowing them to watch what's going on.
Alongside plastic and soft-sided carriers, you also have the option of selecting one of the best cat backpacks as your carrier of choice. These are wonderfully convenient if you live in the city and don't have access to a car as they can make transporting your kitty on short journey's much easier than other styles of carrier.
Other things you'll want to pay attention to when deciding which carrier to go for are the safety features and how durable the carrier is. Check that the latches and zippers are all heavy-duty and escape proof to ensure your kitty stays secure, that the handles or straps are either ergonomically designed or at least comfortable for you to be holding/wearing, and if you'd value the extra peace of mind, opt for one that has a safety leash hook that you can attach to the best cat harness for added security.
To help you find the best cat carrier for your feline friend, we've rounded up our favorite picks below, including hard-shell, soft-sided, and airline approved options. Let's take a look.....
PetsRadar's pick of the best cat carriers
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This cat carrier is a simple, straightforward, no-nonsense carrier designed to keep your pet puss safe, secure and comfortable. Plus, it’s airline approved, conforming to the under-seat dimensions of most airlines - but don’t forget to check with the airline first. This makes it ideal for your annual vacations, but at the same time, it’s just as useful for short journeys to the store or the vets.
Measuring 24” long and 15” high the carrier is perfect for all size cats, but not a great option for a kitten. It’s constructed from a heavy-duty plastic shell, which gives plenty of protection from any knocks and bumps when on the move and is waterproof and easy to clean. But while the plastic is waterproof, the design won’t stop the rain from getting in when outside. There are a series of side ventilation openings to make sure your cat gets plenty of air and good visibility, which is perfect for when inside.
Access to the carrier is twofold with front and top openings. The front opening is a steel wire door that has a secure easy-open latch that is designed for easy access with just one hand. Perfect for those occasions when you are carrying the crate and can’t put it down or you are carrying your cat in one hand. The top opening has a couple of easy-to-open latches that keep the door shut tight and are pretty much escape-proof. The door also has an ergonomic integrated carry handle for quick easy portability. Finally, you can choose from a couple of different colors to suit your taste.
Available in both medium (17"L x 12"W x 11"H) and large (18"L x 12"W x 12"H) plus an array of classy colors, this super affordable cat carrier has been receiving plenty of rave reviews, and it's not hard to see why.
Airline approved, it has chew and scratch-proof mesh windows on all four sides for optimal ventilation, plus three doors to make getting your feline friend in and out that much easier.
The carrier comes with a foam layer at the bottom and a woolen mat to ensure your kitty stays comfortable on their journey and it also includes a travel bowl for feeding. There's a pet ID card for you to write their details on and a pocket for their collar and treats to go in.
Collapsible when not in use, the carrier features self-lock zippers to keep your kitty safe and secure, an adjustable shoulder strap, back strap and a safety leash hook that you can attach to your cat while they're in the carrier for extra peace of mind.
If you want functionality and style when you're on the lookout for a new cat carrier, then you need to check out this offering from SUPPETS. It comes in three different styles with the A-Blue Peony option being the standout in the style stakes. It's covered in variations of the peony flowering plant and adds hues of pink and red to the base color - black. If flowers aren’t your thing you can get the cat carrier in more conservative tones - black or grey are your choices here.
The carrier comes in two sizes - medium and large. The smaller size measures 15.7" x 11.4" x 11.4" which is ideal for all but the largest of cats, and if you want to give your pet puss a little more all-round room then try the larger one which adds a few more inches in every direction. The smaller carrier can manage cats up to 8kg while the larger carrier adds another 3kg to the weight limit.
Made from a high-density waterproof nylon the carrier has four doors which give easy access. You can open each end, one side or there’s a single zipped door on the top. Three are made from breathable mesh to give good ventilation and plenty of viewing options. A soft removable machine-washable mat ups the comfort stakes and sits in the bottom of the carrier. Strong durable color matched zips - for the fashion-conscious - help hold everything together and keep your cat secure. A large end pocket is ideal for storage while a couple of short carry handles - with matching flower pattern - or a clip-on shoulder strap provide the transport options. This also doubles up like a seatbelt when in the front seat of your car.
This cat carrier looks to bring you the best of both hard and soft carriers in one smart package. Measuring 17" x 13" x 14" it’s perfect for taking your pet puss to the vets with its unique design taking on the characteristics of a hard carrier by providing a hard top and bottom to give your fur friend a little extra protection.
The hard bottom will help keep your furkid dry protecting them from damp or wet ground. Plus it keeps its shape however uneven or bumpy the ground. And a padded mat will make sure they are always comfortable wherever you decide to stop. The rigid top again offers protection from any knocks and gives some shelter against the rain or snow and has an integrated soft handle making it easy to carry.
The soft sides adopt the benefits of a soft carrier having collapsible sides which can be unzipped and folded down to take up less space when not in action. But the best is that the hard top and bottom can be zipped together - with the soft sides inside. Making it much smaller in size and ideal to store away when it's not going to be used for a while.
When it is in action the soft sides boast an all-round mesh pattern which provides plenty of ventilation and 360 degree viewing to help lower the stress levels of your fur friend. However, the carrier only has access through the zipped front door, so it’s one way in and one way out.
This cat carrier's smart design makes it the perfect travel companion whether you are flying off on vacation or taking your pet puss to the vets in the back of your car.
It comes with shoulder and carry straps for easy transportation and expandable mesh sides when you stop. These triple the size of the floor space and lets your cat stretch out, relax and see what’s going on in the outside world. In its standard state, the carrier measures 19.5"L x 12"W x 12"H but expands to 43.5"L x 32"W x 12"H when all of its sides are opened and laid out. A series of non-slip bottom protectors help keep in place.
Alongside the well-ventilated mesh sides is a mesh front door and covered mesh access on top of the carrier. You can leave this unzipped for them to pop out their heads to have a look around when on the move. A large mesh pocket - with a reflective strip so you can see it in the dark - provides plenty of space for treats, toys, leashes, and feeding and water bowls.
A sturdy wire frame helps keep the carrier in shape and stops it from collapsing when your cat is inside. Sitting in the bottom of the carrier is a strong board that provides a solid base for safety and a thick removable and washable furry plush pad for comfort. The fabric cover is waterproof and will help keep your cat dry when outside, annd it's the perfect size to fit under your average airplane seat. It’s also flexible enough to be laid flat to be stored away making it a real space saver when not needed.
If you like to take your cat with you wherever you go then this backpack-style cat carrier is a must. You get a pair of strong sturdy straps that are nice and wide for extra comfort and ease of use, and there’s a small strong carry handle if needed. Whether off to the vets, store, or off on vacation, this cat carrier is ideal for keeping your cute fluffy companion comfortable, safe and close to you.
Wear it on your back and the full-length zipped clear window lets your cat admire their surroundings. Swing it around and wear it in front of your body and you can keep a constant eye on your fur friend to make sure they are comfortable and happy. If you fancy a quick cuddle when on the move simply unzip the window and say hello. Alternatively, a more subtle mesh side door is easy to open and gives good access in or out of the backpack. On the opposite side is a similar-sized pocket which is perfect for storing snacks and small toys.
Ideal for small to medium cats it measures 12.5" x 11" x 16.5" and can carry cats up to 13 pounds safely. Nine ventilation holes on the front sides make sure that your pet puss gets plenty of fresh air and a small fleece mat makes sure that they stay comfortable.
There are two variations of the backpack - in a variety of cool colors. Beyond the standard version, there is also an expandable version. The back of the backpack can be unzipped open into a mesh cage that allows your cat to stretch out and sleep. Perfect for when you’re waiting at the airport and your fur friend needs a bit of space and me time.
Large cats don’t like to be kept in small spaces, so if you have a large cat that you need to transport to the vets or take on vacation then this carrier from Petseek could just be what you are looking for. The carrier measures 24 x 16.5 x 16 inches which offers plenty of room for even the largest cat and can carry pets up to 55 pounds. Alternatively, you can carry a couple of cute small or medium cats in the same space - as long as they get on with each other.
A strong sturdy metal frame supports the structure of the carrier which is made from a wear-resistant Oxford fabric that is easy to wipe clean or throw in the washing machine if needed. It's easy to remove the outer cover, the frame is fully collapsible and folds flat in seconds. Once you’ve given the cover a good wash slip it back over the frame and pull it back upright in seconds.
The outer cover has a whole host of features that make it comfortable for your cat and safe and secure when on the move. There are three soft zipped doors for easy access - on the top, front and one side - each covered with a nylon mesh that is tear-resistant and provides plenty of ventilation. A plastic clip locks the zippers so your fur friends can’t escape. To make sure your cat is kept cool and to lower the stress levels the doors are accompanied by a couple of windows covered in the same nylon mesh, so they can see what’s going on. A fleece bed offers comfort while seatbelt loops make sure that the carrier is safely secured when on their travels.
How to choose the best cat carrier
Size
This may seem obvious but you need to make sure that you are getting the right size for your fur friend. Make sure that you measure the length and height of your cat - when stood up - to give you a good idea of what size you will need. The carrier should be just big enough for your cat to lay down, stand up and adjust their position. If they have too much room when on the move they can fall over or get thrown about, so make sure you get a snug but comfortable fit.
Soft or hard
Choosing between a hard or soft cat carrier often depends on your cat. If you have a nervous cat who gets anxious when you travel and doesn’t like too much movement, a hard cat carrier is a better choice. These give better protection from knocks and bumps. Just make sure to get a soft cozy mat to go inside to help calm them down, especially if off on a long journey.
If your cat has a more placid personality a soft carrier is ideal. While not as easy to clean as harder carriers, they’re typically comfier for the cat, have extra pockets for storage, give a choice of carry options, and typically have better safety features for traveling in a car.
Doors and ventilation
A cat carrier with more than one door gives your cat more options and will help to reduce their stress levels. Especially if they aren’t keen on getting in a cat carrier in the dirt first place. Ideally, look for a cat carrier with a front door and top door. This can help when being examined by a vet, as they might not need to leave the carrier. And you can leave the top door open just enough for pet puss to have a look around if they want to. When it comes to ventilation, mesh is often a good choice as this lets in the air and keeps your cat cool and also keeps out any bugs and dust and lets your fur friend take a look around.
