The Usefulness of a Cat Carrier
Whether that is to the vet, a new home, or maybe something else, the best cat carrier is essential for transporting your cat. Any cat owner will know that sometimes you need to transport your cat. While some cats are okay with being leashed and walked, for their safety, a cat should always use a cat carrier for longer transports – and especially when going to the vet, as not all animals there will be cat friendly.
How to Choose The Right Cat Carrier
When picking a cat carrier, the essential thing to remember is to choose the right size. As a general rule of thumb, you should get a cat carrier that is 1.5 times bigger than the cat you are planning to transport – or cats, if you’re planning on placing more than one inside. However, it should not be too big either, as that will cause your cat to tumble around.
You should also pick a suitable material for your cat carrier. The most common ones are nylon and plastic. The nylon carriers, or cat bags, benefit from being lighter, but the downside is that they’re soft and bend easily. The plastic ones are generally safer and sturdier – not to mention easier to clean! They are, however, often heavier and slightly more expensive.
So what is the best cat carrier? Take a read below!
Reviewing The Best Online Cat Carriers For 2021
Petisfam Pet Carrier for Medium Cats
This soft cat carrier is made from a comfy soft material but with a sturdy bottom to make your cat (or small dog) feel safe. The fleece cover is washable, which is a big bonus! The whole cat bag is escape-proof with anti-escape zippers and a leash hook inside to make sure even the biggest Houdini stays inside at all times. It also comes with carrying handles and adjustable straps.
Size
17x11x11 inches.
Load
16lbs (7.3kg)
Sport Pet Foldable Travel Cat Carrier
This unique cat carrier comes with one of a kind wide side opening door, allowing most cats to feel a lot more comfortable when walking in. It also comes with waterproof padding inside, which is also machine washable. This cat carrier is very sturdy and with durable clasps to ensure your cat is safely stored when traveling.
Size
15.2×18.5×14.2 inches.
Load
25lbs.
OKMEE Cat Carrier
One of the big plusses with this cat carrier is that it is airline-approved, meaning you can take your cat with you practically anywhere. It also has an excellent and ventilated design, with five big mesh windows. It is lightweight but sturdy, with a microfiber frame that will prevent the top from sagging and a hard bottom, so you avoid any deformation when lifting your cat.
Size
17x11x11 inches.
Load
20lbs.
petisfarm Top Load Pet Carrier
This cat carrier is perfect for slightly larger cats. It comes with two entrances, one at the top and one at the side, to allow your cat to walk in on its own and for you to quickly frame it back out. It is as safe and sturdy as a plastic carrier but softer and a lot lighter. It also comes with escape-proof zippers and a sturdy bottom. As an extra plus, it can also be strapped to a seatbelt!
Size
12x12x17 inches.
Load
25lbs.
Premium Pet Carrier
This cat carrier, for slightly smaller cats, is also airline-approved and is designed for convenience. It is easy to set up and fold down flat for when it needs to be stored. It also has many clever pockets for easy storage of anything you and your cat may need. It has seatbelt loops to allow you to buckle your cat into a car seat to ensure their safety the whole way!
Size
17×9.5×11 inches.
Load
8lbs.
Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe
This carrier bag is for cats and dogs and is perfect for traveling comfortably anywhere with your pet. With a spring wire frame that allows the rear end to be pressed down, so it fits perfectly under seats and a machine-washable liner, you’re ready to go anytime you want. It also has rear pockets for convenient storage and is approved by most airlines.
Size
19×11.75×11.5 inches.
Load
Up to 22lbs.
Amazon Basics Soft-Sides Carrier
Compared to some of the other carriers, this one might look basic, but it fulfills your need for a medium cat carrier just perfect nonetheless! Its soft mesh sides provide plenty of ventilation, and the inside is padded with removable fleece, which is, of course, washable. The carrying handles and shoulder straps make it easy to take your cat anywhere.
Size
16.5×9.4×9.8 inches.
Load
16lbs (7.3kg).
Henkelion Cat Carriers
This airline-approved carrier comes with two connecting loop handles, making it easy to carry, as well s a dual seat belt or luggage strap–for secure transport. The cat bag is waterproof and durable, made from lightweight polyester, and has mesh on four sides for ventilation. The whole bag is washable, the body and the inside fleece, making it easy to clean!
Size
15x9x9 inches.
Load
15lbs.
Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe
This excellent cat carrier comes in a range of colors to suit you and your cats’ temperament, and so you can travel in style wherever you go. As with the sherpa cat bag above, this one also comes with a foldable spring wireframe, meaning it can fit most under-seat requirements. It is lined with faux lambskin and has rear pockets, meaning you can keep everything in one bag.
Size
17x11x10.5 inches.
Load
16lbs.
Prodigen Pet Carrier
This smart-looking cat carrier is designed with mesh on the top and small windows on the side, all made safe from exploring claws, just like the reinforced polyester that makes up the rest of the cat bag. Despite being very lightweight at only 2.3lbs, it is strong enough to not fold in on itself and hold a four-layer cozy bed inside–and then it’s also waterproof!
Size
17.2x10x11 inches.
Vceoa Soft Sided Pet Carrier
This soft-sided cat carrier comes with mesh windows all around. It opens in the top and on the side but can be closed with locking zippers–for ensuring your cat stays inside the whole way! The cat carrier comes with a removable base insert and a cozy fleece pet bed. It also has adjustable shoulder straps and hooks that can be used as a seatbelt or to attach to luggage.
Size
17.5x11x11 inches.
Load
16 lbs.
Siivton Expandable Pet Carrier
This clever cat carrier is unique because it easily folds down and can be unzipped on four sides to create extra room! This means it is perfect not just for on the road but also to allow your cat a spacious retreat when you get there. It is made mainly with mesh and a sturdy EVA board all around to keep your beloved cat safe. Of course, with a soft suede bed inside!
Size
18x11x11 inches – or 38x30x11 inches when it has been expanded.
Load
Up to 20lbs.
Midwest Spree Travel Pet Carrier
A classic hard-sided pet carrier is often a solid option, useful whether you need to transport your pet downtown or to the other side of the Atlantic. It is made from durable and easy to clean plastic that comes in three different fun colors. It even has a built-in carrying handle. It can be easily assembled in five steps, with no tools, and will keep your cat safe through it all.
Size
20x13x14 inches.
Load
22lbs.
Tips for Loading Your Cat Into a Cat Carrier
A few good tips for loading your cat:
- Let your cat get used to the cat carrier. Let it stand out long before you need it; that way, it will start to feel like a bed or hiding place for your cat.
- Make it cozy. Cats like to hide in quiet places, put a blanket, or something familiar in there.
- If you have the time, let your cat walk in on its own. Then you can calmly just shut the door or zip the opening behind your cat.
- If you are in a hurry, gently lift your cat and put it into the cat carrier backward. Meaning you insert the hind legs into the cat bag and the front legs last. This makes it a lot easier!
Lastly, don’t remember, if you are stressed, your cat is much more likely to be stressed, so try taking it easy – even if your cat is trying to evade going into the cat carrier. Somehow they always seem to know when it’s time for a trip to the vet!
The Best Cat Carrier in Our Opinion
This time it wasn’t easy to pick a favorite amongst all the fantastic choices, so we had to pick two!
The prodigen Pet Carrier is perfect for any shorter trips you might need to make as it is safe, soft, and easy to carry anywhere. It also comes with reinforced mesh and polyester that won’t tear, even if a cat is trying to get through, and zippers that can be buckled – what’s not to like?
The midwest spree travels pet carrier is our favorite for more extended travels – especially ones where your cat carrier might need to be justled about a bit more. The hard plastic will keep your cat safe through it all, and the limited “window” will give your cat a feeling of hiding in a den – something most cats like to do, especially when feeling a bit stressed.
Catharina is a Veterinary Medicine student from Uni of Copenhagen. When she isn’t making camp in the library, stuck to the books, she’s also a writer and avid photographer. Capturing everything from buildings to dogs – especially her poodle Bailey is a frequent subject.