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 Overall Cat Carrier
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Perfect for airplane travel
I have a fat cat and he fit comfortably inside. Kept him secure and fit the the under seat storage of the airplane.
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Great carrier
Well made and my 16# dog was able to lie down. Was accepted on SWAL. The only downside was, It didn't have wheels.
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Happy Kitties!
My cats loved the carrier as soon as I opened the front, they wanted to go inside and used it as a hideaway bed!
Best Hard-Sided Cat Kennel
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Well put together very sturdy
We used it for our new rescue cat "OREO" and got her all taken care of at the VET she was very happy in the cat kennel.
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What standard carriers should be
Great carrier, perfect size for rabbits and small dogs and cats. Fits one animal just right, 2 would be a bit snug. This carrier is sturdy and simple to put together, seems to be appropriate material, and I feel secure in carrying my pet. Just make sure you have the top latch secured if you ever open the top door. Wish more carriers weren't overpriced for the garbage flimsy material they're made of, and took notes from this brand. Carriers are supposed to keep your pets secure and safer.
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Variety of choices and fast shipping
Purchased one from a store and found the carrier to be great quality. Ordering from Chewy is easy and convenient at a much better regular price. Very easy to assemble by myself.
Best Cat Carrier Bag
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Nice carrier
Purchased this carrier to bring my cat on the plane with me. His hard plastic one was too big. This has a nice plush removable pad on the bottom which can be washed. He’s not a happy camper being transported as it is so his creature comforts are better met in this carrier.
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convenient and ideal size for ten pound dog
This carrier is light enough to manage with the pet inside. I like the screen so she can see out.
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Travel Plans
The real test will come in 2 weeks on our first overnight trip. The size is right. I’m optimistic.
Best Backpack For Cats
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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.
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Loves to sleep in it
Even though he's still learning to be an adventure kitty, I take him to the vet and traveling in this. I like that you buckle in the straps for car safety, and it can open from the top or front depending on your need. The bottom unzips too for cleaning, which is key. Not very well designed as far as ergonomically for the human back (has a waist strap, but the shoulder straps can be awkward to put on at times), so it doesn't feel as natural a fit when backpacking as good backpacks should.
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Backpack
Archie travels in this backpack. We all love it. I can take him everywhere. He curls up and sleeps in it even.
Best Large Cat Carrier
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Perfect for airplane travel
I have a fat cat and he fit comfortably inside. Kept him secure and fit the the under seat storage of the airplane.
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Great carrier
Well made and my 16# dog was able to lie down. Was accepted on SWAL. The only downside was, It didn't have wheels.
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Happy Kitties!
My cats loved the carrier as soon as I opened the front, they wanted to go inside and used it as a hideaway bed!
Best Top Load Cat Carrier
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Top Loader
I really like the ease of loading up my kittens from the top. Much less stress on all of us!
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Good size, secure
I work at an animal hospital and I have seen way too many cats come in uncomfortable, inappropriately small carriers. I selected this 24inch top open carrier because each of my cats can comfortably lay down in it on the compatible fleece pad and have enough room to turn around. The open top allows me to easily lift them out while front-open-only carriers require dumping the cat out or reaching in and pulling them out or completely dismantling the carrier. I always have a fear that the top of these kinds of carriers will accidentally come undone but it's remained strong with no problems. I also love that the bottom and top pieces are screwed...
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Nice sturdy carrier! Highly recommend it!
This is a nice large size sturdy carrier. Purchased for our rather large 15lbs kitten. She fits perfectly inside it without being scrunched up. Highly recommend it!
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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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.
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my cat tolerated this well
I used this to bring my 13 lb cat on a 2 hour plane ride. He managed it very well. On the way there, I gave him gabapentin, which he hated, and he somehow managed to open the zipper to the bag from the inside and stick his head out. I kept it expanded under the seat while we flew so he could stretch out. On the flight back home, I didn't give him gabapentin (he spat it out and refused to take it), so we flew without it and he did even better. Highly recommend this, even better if you can put something soft inside (I put a soft highly absorbent microfiber towel in case he had an accident) and he really did just fine. He doesn't love flying...
Best Cat Carrier for Car Travel
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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.
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Did the job
This was a great carrier until my pup outgrew it. I didn't select/order the wrong size. My pup is about twice the size the breeder indicated.
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So easy to use
Needed something to keep my little one safe in the car. She only weighs 2 lbs 4 oz so I was happy to see this item. Very easy to use.
Best Budget Cat Carrier
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Perfect
Perfect size to take my kitten in the car to get him used to traveling and vet appointments. Very well made.
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Great size, mesh & extra access zippers!
My cat is almost 18 pounds. He’s a big guy, and we had to purchase this as an Emergency back up for his trip to the vet after he didn’t fit in his other carrier from kitten hood. Offhand, I would like to say: Pros- lightweight but sturdy, great fuzzy liner, can open the little side to pull your pet into it and then close the big one to secure them (so much easier than pushing!) Smooth sliding zippers (see note in cons) Extra side mini-zipper to put a hand in to reassure them! Cons: zippers slide SMOOTHLY- this means my guy face-punched his way out the first time when they were at the top of the cage. I recommend getting a luggage lock...
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Perfect
These are perfect to carry the cats to the vet or anywhere else. They sit on my shoulder without any problems. And if the cats hold pretty still they're beyond perfect ;)
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.
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