Best Cat Carriers

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 22, 2024
We all love traveling. But the same cannot be said about our four-legged friends. Which is why it is your job to reduce their level of discomfort on the trip. And with these cat carriers, you will be able to do just that. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Type
Cat Weight Limit
Size and Weight
Material
Ventilation
Features
Warranty
 
PROS
The non-skid feet will keep the bag stabilized even on slippery surfaces. The removable lining is soft and cozy. The lining's machine washable. The seat belt security strap also doubles as a luggage strap. There are top and side entries, so you can load and unload the cat without rotating the bag.
CONS

The bag smells plasticky. 

OUR VERDICT

Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Pet Carrier treats pets with the care they deserve. With the mesh net throughout the entire bag, the pet inside can breathe normally and not feel as restricted as they usually feel inside pet carriers. You can choose between 3 sizes, with the largest one even fitting medium-sized dogs.

detailed parameters
Type

Bag

Cat Weight Limit

Up to 16 lbs

Size and Weight

17 x 11 x 10.5 inches

4.1 pounds

Material

Spring wire frame, polyester, faux fur 

Ventilation

Breathable mesh

Features

Carry handles, Removable liner (machine washable), Adjustable non-slip shoulder strap, Large side zippered pocket, Locking zippers, Non-skid feet

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The carrier comes equipped with a hard top and hard base. They will provide you with sturdy protection for your pet. They'll also give the pet a firm surface to stand on, so he won't have to always lie down and will have the ability to stretch. But the sides of this carrier are soft, making for a collapsible design that will allow you to fold it down for storage purposes.

CONS

The bottom starts to sag under a maximum load. 

OUR VERDICT

The soft-sided pet carrier from Pet Magasin will prove to be a pretty great choice for those individuals who are interested in a comfortable yet sturdy travel carrier. Your pet will be able to travel in comfort and you won't have to worry about its safety.

detailed parameters
Type

Basket (kennel)

Cat Weight Limit

Up to ~18 lbs

Size and Weight

17.5 x 13.8 x 13 inches

2.2 pounds

Material

Plastic, fabric, fleece

Ventilation

Breathable mesh

Features

Hard top and hard base, Soft sides that can be folded down, Padded mat on the floor, Non-slip surface, Soft handle, Security lock

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The smart 2-door design features an entrance and an exit point on top of the carrier as well as in the front, so you will have twice as many entrance and exit options. Part of that design is a set of four latches that connect the top and the bottom of the kennel and snap them together.

CONS

The latches make it a bit difficult to close and open the carrier. 

OUR VERDICT

AmazonBasics 6009-M may not seem like much but the product actually has quite a lot going for it. Among other things, this is easily one of the best models on the market when it comes to simplifying the often tedious process of getting your pet in the kennel and getting it out of it.

detailed parameters
Type

Basket (kennel)

Cat Weight Limit

Up to 15 lbs

Size and Weight

23 x 15 x 13 inches

4.89 pounds

Material

Plastic, steel

Ventilation

Plenty of ventilation on sides, top, and back of the crate

Features

Spring-loaded from latch for smooth opening, Two doors, Latches to open to the left or right for convenience, Handle

Warranty

1 year (limited)

PROS

The model comes equipped with a convenient zippered pocket on the outside that you can use for storing treats, food, toys, and other accessories and pet essentials. One of those accessories could be a colored pet bowl that comes with the package. A luggage strap can be used to strap the carrier onto a rolling suitcase.

CONS

The compartments tend to unfold. 

OUR VERDICT

Pet Peppy XMS1457 has left us particularly impressed. Is it the safest cat carrier out there? It may very well be. The most comfortable for your pet? You could make that case. But, above anything else, this bag is easily the most attractive option for those pet owners who are concerned about their comfort just as well.

detailed parameters
Type

Bag

Cat Weight Limit

Up to 14 lbs

Size and Weight

17.9 x 6 x 2 inches

10.4 ounces

Material

Pristine-grade nylon material, metal, fleece

Ventilation

Open air top, breathable mesh windows on top and both sides

Features

2-sided expandable folding bays, Zippered pocket for storing treats, food, toys and other, Removable plush faux fleece bedding, Padded shoulder strap and hand carry handle, Safety seat belt buckle attachments, Sturdy metal hooks, Bonus colored pet bowl, Airline approved dimensions

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The size that adds up to 17.2 x 10 x 11 inches in overall dimensions works with most major airlines. A short leash attached to the inside of the bag that you can immediately clip to your pet's collar will prevent him from running away. The material itself is waterproof, so you won't have to take the weather into account.

CONS

The padding could be a bit flat and uncomfortable for your cat. 

OUR VERDICT

Pet Magasin BlueCarrier001 sure is stylish, there's no doubt about that. But the visual aspect alone wouldn't be enough to persuade us and a number of loyal customers, which is why the people behind this cat carrier also made sure to design a product with extra features worthy of its stylish look.

detailed parameters
Type

Bag

Cat Weight Limit

Up to ~18 lbs

Size and Weight

17.2 x 10 x 11 inches

2.2 pounds

Material

Waterproof material

Ventilation

Mesh window

Features

Suitcase-style carry-handle and adjustable padded shoulder strap, Soft padding, Can be folded flat for storage, Short leash attached to the inside, Airline approved dimensions

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

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Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe

Equally Comfortable for Pets and Owners

Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Pet Carrier does not complicate things and we can appreciate that. What we're offered here is a simple yet well-thought-out bag. You can remove the lining and toss it inside a washing machine, washing away unpleasant smells that the cat might have added on the road. Also, made from faux fur, the lining here is soft and quite cozy, making your feline friend more comfortable during travel.

You can choose between carry handles and shoulder straps, with the second option being adjustable and adopting non-slip pads that prevent the straps from sliding down the shoulders. Of course, there are multiple mesh windows covering pretty much the entire bag, ensuring ventilation and minimizing pet stress. Surrounding these windows are top and side entries that let you load the cat without making the task more challenging than it already is.

The locking zippers come without saying when discussing pet carriers but the non-skid feet that this bag adopts are not quite as common, which is a shame since they are pretty effective at keeping the bag steady even with the pet inside acting anything but steady.

The plasticky smell that follows this model initially is not necessarily appealing but the smell goes away soon, leaving you with an excellent bag that is as comfortable for you as it is for the pet inside the bag.

Review of Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Pet Carrier
Last updated price $30.85
Stock In stock
ASIN B07D5FB8GM

 

Pet Magasin Hard-Cover

The Best of Both Carrier Worlds

Most pet carriers tend to fall under one of the two categories: there are the soft and the hardcover ones. On that note, we would like to introduce the product from Pet Magasin that seemingly combines the best of both worlds. Borrowing from the hardcover's book, the model comes equipped with a hard top and hard base. They will provide you with a sturdy protection for your pet. They'll also give that pet of yours a firm surface to stand on, so it won't have to always lie down and will have the ability to stretch.

But the sides of this carrier are soft, making for a collapsible design that allows the owner of this model to fold it down for storage purposes. By the way, both the top and the bottom are waterproof too, meaning it will protect your pal from getting wet even if it is raining cats and dogs outside. With 2.2 pounds of weight and a soft handle, carrying this lightweight kennel with your pet in it will prove to be an absolute breeze.

The pets are often far more clever than we give them credit for. Which is why the manufacturers of this nice small cage made sure to include an additional security lock that will prevent your pet from making a run for it. But, switch places, and we probably wouldn't even attempt to do to that if we were them. A padded mat on the floor makes this carrier rather comfortable, while a see-through door will provide your pal with a window into the outside world and a nice view at that. Plus, the breathable mesh material guarantees a sufficient amount of ventilation.

All things considered, the soft-sided pet carrier from Pet Magasin will prove to be a pretty great choice for those individuals who are interested in a comfortable yet sturdy travel carrier. Your pet will be able to travel in comfort and you won't have to worry about its safety.

Review of Pet Magasin Hard-Cover Travel Carrier for Cats

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $33.48
Stock In stock
ASIN B01KAWUHQY

 

AmazonBasics 6009-M

Get In, Fluffer, We're Going Out

Just as the name suggests, AmazonBasics, once again, offers a pretty basic model that, nevertheless, covers most of your needs when it comes to traveling with your feline companion. And despite the seemingly basic design, it actually has quite a lot to offer, with a couple of features that you wouldn't normally find in some of the more expensive and sophisticated models. First, there's the smart 2-door design of the whole thing. With an entrance and an exit point on top of the carrier as well as in the front, you will have twice as many options in terms of getting your fluffy friend into the kennel and getting him out of it. It might not seem like much but a solution like that actually promotes a far less stressful travel experience, both for the pet and his owner.

Considering the 23 x 15 x 13 inches in overall dimensions, this medium-sized carrier will be able to fit just about any cat or a small dog and provide them with enough room so that they won't feel trapped. Made with the help of durable plastic and a steel-wire front door, the product in question is just as durable as it is visible and secure, including a number of thought-out holes on the top, back, and sides of this carrier that offer more than enough ventilation.

When it comes to safety, the model features a set of four latches that connect the top and the bottom of the kennel and snap them together. Aside from that, the package includes a set of screws that you can use for some extra reinforcement.

To rephrase our earlier point, AmazonBasics 6009-M may not seem like much but the product actually has quite a lot going for it. Among other things, this is easily one of the best models on the market when it comes to simplifying the often tedious process of getting your pet in the kennel and getting him out of it.

Review of AmazonBasics 6009-M Two-Door Top-Load Pet Kennel
Last updated price $31.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00OP6SVJW

 

Pet Peppy XMS1457

Hit the Road and Take Your Furry Pal With You

There is a lot to like about Pet Peppy XMS1457. What may look like an ordinary bag to an inexperienced eye is actually more of the more sophisticated pet carriers out there. First things first, we would like to direct your attention towards the size of the small. Though it might seem small, a couple of expandable folding bays on each side makes this model far more versatile than your average carrier. Just this design solution alone makes it suitable for all kinds of pets of different sizes. On one of the other sides, you will find a particularly convenient zippered pocket that you can use for storing treats, food, toys, and other accessories and pet essentials. One of those accessories could be a colored pet bowl that comes with the package.

The road ahead is often bumpy and seldom as comfortable as you'd like it to be. The people behind this product are very much aware of that, of course, which is why they didn't forget to include a removable faux fleece bedding that will provide your pet with a comfortable opportunity to rest. Speaking of your pet's comfort, we would also like to mention the open air top and the breathable mesh windows on top of the carrier and on its sides. Other than ensuring ventilation, the mesh lining of the bag will allow your furry little friend to see your face, the face that tells them that everything is all right. And while your pet's comfort is of utmost importance, the manufacturers haven't forgotten about your comfort too, adding a padded shoulder strap and a carry handle, both of which will allow you to transport your fuzzy companion with a bit more ease. And if that's not enough, there's also a luggage strap that, oddly enough, can be used to strap the carrier onto a rolling suitcase.

As we've said earlier, there is a lot to like about Pet Peppy XMS1457. Is it the safest cat carrier out there? It may very well be. The most comfortable for your pet? You could make that case. But, above anything else, this bag is easily the most attractive option for those pet owners who are concerned about their comfort just as well.

Review of Pet Peppy XMS1457 Airline Approved Expandable Pet Carrier
Last updated price $39.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B019K6QD32

 

Pet Magasin BlueCarrier001

For the Most Handsome Pets

The folk at Pet Magasin advertise this cat carrier as a luxury product. And we don't know if luxury is the world we would use to describe it. But the bag is most certainly stylish, we will give it that much. And aside from the nice look, it has enough extra features to more or less justify that "luxury" title. For starters, there's the size that adds up to 17.2 x 10 x 11 inches in overall dimensions, the dimensions that make it airline approved, so you'll be able to take this thing with you (and with your cat inside it) to an airplane without worrying about the plane rules.

As for those extra features, there is the soft padding inside the carrier that will make it quite cozy for your fluffy companion. There's a mesh window that serves a couple of purposes, providing your cat with a view and ensuring appropriate ventilation. There's a mesh pouch on the outside that will provide you with a nice little place to store some treats or just about any small travel necessity. If your pet hasn't been properly trained yet, there's a chance that it might try to "make a dash for it", so to speak. But the manufacturers have thought it through and added a short leash to the inside of the bag that you can immediately clip to your pet's collar. Finally, the material itself is waterproof, so you won't have to take the weather into account. It can also be folded flat for storage, so you'll always be able to find some space for it in your suitcase.

To sum it up, Pet Magasin BlueCarrier001 sure is stylish, there's no doubt about that. But the visual aspect alone wouldn't be enough to persuade us and quite a number of loyal customers, which is why the people behind this cat carrier also made sure to design a product with extra features worthy of the stylish look.

Review of Pet Magasin BlueCarrier001 Soft-Sided Cat Carrier

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $23.92
Stock In stock
ASIN B00O09O3E6

 

What Is a Cat Carrier?

Despite the occasional shenanigans and all the mischief that they often create, we all love our pets. You could even make the case that they love us in return, in their own slightly twisted way. But they most certainly do not love to travel. And though there's nothing you can do to change their mind, you could certainly make them feel a lot less inconvenienced by the road. That is where a cat carrier comes in. Despite the name, the majority of cat carriers could fit a small dog, a rabbit, and a number of other pets. The "cat" part just mostly stems from the size of these carriers that the people design in accordance with your average cat's size. Now, there are a lot of different products on the market and they might seem quite similar. But there's actually a lot of differences between each model. 

Aside from the material and the overall design, you should pay attention to the often numerous number of features as they will determine how comfortable your pet will be, how easy and comfortable it will be for you to carry the said pet, how safe it will be on the road, and how difficult it will be to store the whole thing away. Take all of these details into account and you should be able to make the right choice.

Given that you're looking for cat carriers, we will assume that you're a cat person. And if that is indeed the case, you might want to check out our reviews of cat trees, cat doors, and cat houses.

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Publish Date: 2018-08-30 14:38:59