Whether you’re driving your cat to a vet visit or planning air travel with your adventure kitty for your next vacation, the best cat carrier will ensure they have a safe, cozy space for their trip. From hard-sided crates to collapsible pet carriers and even cat backpacks, we’ve rounded up the best-selling and top-rated cat travel carriers. Tried, tested and reviewed by Chewy cat parents, these feline favorites are designed to make pet travel safer and more enjoyable for you both.
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Best Large Cat CarrierSherpa Original Deluxe Airline-Approved Cat Carrier Bag, Large $51 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping$51 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping
Best Overall Cat Carrier
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Extra Large Yet Easy to Carry
Excellent quality, roomy for my big cat (16 pounds!) and yet the adjustable straps allow the carrier to be easy to lift and move. This is my 3rd Sherpa carrier; they’re great! My cats don’t mind being transported with the sheepskin pad.
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Perfect fit for flights!
Fits perfectly under seat and a comfortable ride for my 14lb cavapoo. Also well made. My second one. My first one lasted 4 years!
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Exceptional
I used this to transport 3 kittens to the vet for their first wellness visit. It was exactly what I needed. Sturdy and comfortable.
Best Hard-Sided Cat Kennel
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Top loading is a game changer.
Recommended to me by a lady who has done trap, neuter and release in my community for more than 10 years. Because you lower the cat in back legs first, they can't see what you're up to until you close the door. Easy to assemble.
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Great carrier
Easy to put together. Nice size for my cat to move around in. Love that we can top or front load. Feels safer on ride to vet than a collapsible carrier.
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Top and End openings
This is the second Petmate Two Door Top Load Cat Kennel I have purchased. The top load makes it easy to get my feisty cats into the kennel for veterinary visits.
Best Cat Carrier Bag
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Great value!
Great value for the money. It's still new, so we'll see how it holds up, but flew internationally and it was quite great. Be careful of seat dimensions with airlines. Iberia uses exact measurements. It's an inch too tall for Iberia, but will smush under the seat, since it's a pretty soft (yet sturdy) carrier. My cat is 14lbs. I was worried about it being big enough, and it was more than enough room. It also folds nicely, and the bed at the bottom is a nice touch.
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Size and weight
My cat cries and pretty much throws a fit when I put her in a regular carrier but jumps right in this carrier. She likes the softness and that she can see everything (her view isn’t limited). No more trauma when taking her to vet appointments. She used to pretty much wail the whole time on the ride to Vet. I’m much happier now as well.
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Well made and has easy access
So happy to have this nice carrier for my cats. Shoulder strap is better to carry and have hands free and the top access is awesome!
Best Backpack For Cats
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The ease of putting my cat in it..
This is a great carrier, it's easy to zip and you can also fold it flat for the cats comfortable..also I can put the straps in the front and carry her safely
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Durable and Safe
I love this for my Kitties. It has many options for easy access and is great if you want to just wear and go! Makes my vet visits a breeze
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Great for small cats!
While there is no possible way my 16 lb cat would fit in this, my 4.5 lb kitten fits perfectly, with room for him to move around! The inside base unzips, which is great for cleaning. It keeps its shape very well, and the canvas outside and structure is sturdy. The zippers are a little sticky, but not a deal-breaker.
Best Large Cat Carrier
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Extra Large Yet Easy to Carry
Excellent quality, roomy for my big cat (16 pounds!) and yet the adjustable straps allow the carrier to be easy to lift and move. This is my 3rd Sherpa carrier; they’re great! My cats don’t mind being transported with the sheepskin pad.
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Perfect fit for flights!
Fits perfectly under seat and a comfortable ride for my 14lb cavapoo. Also well made. My second one. My first one lasted 4 years!
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Exceptional
I used this to transport 3 kittens to the vet for their first wellness visit. It was exactly what I needed. Sturdy and comfortable.
Best Top Load Cat Carrier
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The design and easy to use top latches
I wrangle feral kittens for TNR and rescue. Having a top load carrier is invaluable! I can easily open woth one hand while holding a squirmy kitten. It is also great fro getting adult cats in the carrier. I also love that it came with extra bolts.
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The top-load option is great!
Getting our cats in through the top of the crate is much easier than traditional carriers. Although there are ways to get them in through the regular door by holding the carrier upright and lowering the cat inside. Helps if you have 2 people if you do this.
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Great kennel at a great price
I needed a new kennel for my cats and wanted to get a top loading option just in case I needed it. This kennel is very sturdy, has more room than my other kennels and the top loading door is also large which is helpful if the cat is less than cooperative. This is a tremendous value for the money. It compares really well to the higher priced alternatives. Easy to put together also -- just screw the top and bottom together. The plastic is very strong and the wire doors are coated and finished really well. I should last for a long long time.
Best Collapsible Cat Carrier
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Easy to store
Closet space is minimal in the house so these collapsible carriers are GREAT! They came in handy when we had a tornado cow through my neighborhood last year. Quick to put up and put the cats inside each of their carriers and get them all to safety without having to worry about my girls.
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Easy Peasy
My cat was scared at all to lay in it. So nice to not fight to shove her in the plastic carrier.
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Purrrrfect
My kitten loves this. She sleeps in it during the day and I put her in it at night. She loves being in there.
Best Rolling Cat Carrier
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great cat carrier
I'm getting old - lol - so much easier to use this rolling carrier for trips to the vets office. And it fits easily and securely into my 2 seater car.
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10 Stars!!
I would give this 10 stars if I could. Gone are the days carrying a heavy cat in a carrier with a handle that kills your back because the cat shifts in it and throws off your balance. This is a god send, the cat is safe and not sliding around and you are safe from back strain and shifting throwing you off balance, saving you from a potential fall.
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Very Practical
Gucci loved it, she felt very comfy. She had space. I loved that you could roll it, use it as a backpack and a carryon. It's worth the money. You pet will love it, you will love it.
Best Expandable Cat Carrier
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Carrier
Have bought this for my cat and dog. Love it. Use it for Air travel. Fits under the seat and can expand so they are comfortable.
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Big boy loves it!
My cat has never been averse to carriers, but they certainly aren't his favorite either, especially since he's a big boy. I put this down though, went to get treats to put in it to start teaching him it was safe, and he'd already crawled in and settled down for a nap. Of course I can't say it's for every cat, but for mine it's definitely an improvement on the last one! Only thing is that I wish it had a suitcase strap, but that's solveable.
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Pet Carrier
I like the fact that it expands to give my pet more room. However, it came not as the color in the picture. It was all black. They should update picture.
Best Cat Carrier for Car Travel
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Compact and versatile
Fits snugly behind driver's seat, combined with seatbelt loop makes for a safe ride. Zippers provide multiple ways to access (top & front). Comfortable for our dachshunds.
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The color
The fact that I could contain my puppy and he could still see out, and the fact that I could secure his car seat to the cars seat belt.
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Works great for short trips in the car
The soft-sided carrier with mesh ventilation is gentle on the puppy. I pull the seatbelt over the top through the handle straps and fasten it for added security. The carrier size, along with its sturdy straps and comfortable handle, allows me to carry my pet as easily as luggage to and from the vehicle.
Best Budget Cat Carrier
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Small enough for my 5 mo old kitty.
I bought this because I could put my 5 mo old kitty inside it, put her in my pet stroller so I can go for a walk with her. May not work when she gets bigger. Good quality for the price and serves it’s purpose now.
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Easy-convenient-nice looking
I love it- so much easier to handle than a regular cat carrier- lighter, easy to hold and carry, beautiful looking also.
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Size and weight
So much easier to handle with your pet in it. Allows plenty of air circulation and comfort for your pet.
Now that you’ve picked out the best cat carrier to keep your fur baby secure and comfortable during their travels, get tips for keeping them safe while on the road—or wherever your journey takes you.
Shop other top-selling, top-rated pet product for cats:
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