The Very Best Cat Carriers

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Soft- vs. hard-sided:Hard |Style:Duffel |Size:Small, medium, and large sizes with max weights of 11, 20, and 25 pounds

This Amazon Basics carrier meets all the qualifications the experts recommended for the best cat carrier: It’s hard-sided, has both top-load and front doors, and has a clamshell-style removable top. Additionally, this carrier is affordable and comes in a range of sizes, so it will work for most cats and owners.

“Hard-sided carriers really are best for cats,” says cat behaviorist Marci Koski ofFeline Behavior Solutions, “because it gives them a sense of stability.” That’s important for reducing stress and sickness during travel. Hard-sided carriers are also less likely to fold in on cats, which can make them scared or uncomfortable. Koski says she prefers hard-sided carriers for easier cleanup if the cat does throw up, poop, or pee in the carrier during transit. Jennifer Van de Kieft, a cat behaviorist and nutritionist forCat Advocate, generally likes soft-sided carriers but says she uses this one with her cat who tends to claw the mesh; that way, she doesn’t need to worry about him clawing through and escaping.

The top-load and front doors give you, the owner, options as to how to get the cat into the carrier. “I love that it also opens from the top, as that can be an easier way to put your cat inside,” says Van de Kieft, as compared to coaxing them through the front door. But the key feature is the detachable top on this carrier, which makes it easier to get cats accustomed to the carrier and simplifies vet visits. Koski says she leaves the bottom half of the carrier out in her home, with bedding inside, so her cats spend time sleeping in it and getting their scent on it. Then, when it’s time to add the top back on and use it as a carrier, it’s more familiar to them. At the vet, Koski says she can simply remove the top, and then the vet can do most of the exam while the cat is sitting in its safe space. “With carriers that don’t come apart, the vet tech has to reach in and drag the cat out, or use ‘the dump method,’ which is not great, especially for really fearful cats,” Koski says. Cat behaviorist Ingrid Johnson fromFundamentally Feline, who works at a feline veterinary hospital, echoed this sentiment from the providers’ standpoint, saying the clamshell-style detachable top is safer and easier for everyone involved. “We can trim nails in the base of the carrier. We can take blood pressure on the base of the carrier. We can even weigh the carrier and then just lift the cat and tare,” Johnson says.

However, don’t forget to add something soft for your cat to rest on inside this carrier. Hard plastic is not comfortable for cats, especially in the car, Johnson says. An old towel or T-shirt works great if you don’t have dedicated bedding. For cats that are likely to have an accident, Koski likes usingfoam drawer linersunder a towel or pee pads.

Soft- vs. hard-sided:Soft |Style:Duffel |Size:Small, medium, and large sizes with max weights of 8, 16, and 22 pounds

This Sherpa carrier ticks all the boxes: It’s easy to carry, airplane compliant, secure, and affordable. (It also happens to be ourfavorite dog carrier.) It has openings that allow for both top and front entry, plus an easy-to-clean, water-resistant lining and machine-washable bedding, which Strategist senior writer Michael Zhao appreciated after using it to transport his stressed cat who had wet herself. Four experts we spoke to recommended it, including Kate Benjamin, the founder of the stylish cat-gear websiteHauspanther. Benjamin (who owns 11 cats) likes that the Sherpa “has a good sturdy structure, but it has a lot of mesh, so there’s a lot more airflow and the cat can see out,” she says. Just note: While this visibility is nice for socialized cats, if your cat is more nervous, Dr. Abel Gonzalez, a veterinarian and the clinical director atDutch, recommends covering it with a towel to minimize stimulation. (If your cat is traveling in the plane’s cargo, you’ll need a hard-sided carrier; always check with your airline in advance to make sure the one you want to use meets its requirements.)

Soft- vs. hard-sided:Soft |Style:Duffel |Size:Two sizes with max weights of 7 and 15 pounds

The Sleepypod comes recommended by multiple experts. Johnson, who typically prefers hard-sided carriers, says the Sleepypod — which is available in regular andminiaturesizes to fit most cats — is the “superior” soft-sided option. Benjamin calls it the “Cadillac of cat carriers” — which, of course, means it also comes with a Cadillac-level price tag. Van de Kieft says it’s the most luxurious and expensive carrier she owns but that it’s well worth because it can cover multiple jobs: It’s designed to serve as a carrier, apet bed, and acar seat, which means that your cat will be comfortable and safe in a familiar space while traveling.

When the Sleepypod’s zippered mesh dome is removed, it looks like a soft, plush, inviting bed, so you can keep the carrier in your home environment to act as a bed or hideaway. Its round shape is “very attractive to cats who want to curl up,” says Benjamin. That’s the case for Van de Kieft’s cat Maya, who regularly uses the Sleepypod as a bed at home. “We keep it on top of a bookshelf, and Maya practically lives inside,” she says. Van de Kieft also appreciates that the bedding is machine washable.

The Sleepypod has also beencrash-tested for car accidents, which “demonstrated that they can protect your pet even when they’re strapped in with a seat belt,” saysDelgado. She appreciates that the top opening allows easy access to the cat: “My veterinarian can actually do the complete exam of my cats while they’re still in their carrier, so they never have to leave their safe space.”

Johnson also told me she typically recommends the more traditionally shapedTSA-compliant Sleepypod Airto her clients planning to travel with their cats on an airplane. It collapses for easy storage when not in use, but as with the other versions, is certified by theCenter for Pet Safety. Keep in mind that the Sleepypod with the top attached is too short to allow most cats to stand up and move around, so it’s best used for shorter trips and for cats that prefer to rest easily in the carrier.

Soft- vs. hard-sided:Soft |Style:Duffel |Size:Small, medium, and large sizes with max weights of 7, 13, and 15 pounds

This Petsfit carrier, which made our list of thebest airline-approved pet carriers, is especially suited for long-haul travel. Keep the expandable mesh side panels zipped up while going through security to comply with airline regulations, then expand them out once you’re on the plane to allow your cat a little more room to stretch out. The lightweight, flexible wire structure can be compressed under a seat, and it comes with a comfy washable fleece mat. The carrier is available in three sizes; the small and medium options are likely to fit under the seat on most planes, but if your pet requires the large size, we recommend double-checking your airline’s luggage-size guidelines beforehand.

Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio owns two of these carriers. They were integral during her cross-country move a few years ago with elderly cats. She notes that you do have to “squish the carrier down a bit to fit them under some airline seats, but the frame, while flexible, is really strong.” Though she did have to give up some legroom to expand the carrier on a flight, it was worth it to give her cats some extra breathing room.

Soft- vs. hard-sided:Soft |Style:Kennel |Size:One size, no max carry weight listed

While this two-in-one carrier isn’t ideal for vet visits, it’s helpful for long car rides because it essentially serves as a large, soft kennel. It has two sections that can be zipped together to form one large chamber, with enough room to hold up to four cats, or you can leave them separated so that each cat can have their own personal space. (Delgado recommends keeping the sections separate, because “even if there’s a lot of space, you’re still cramming them in together where they don’t have any choice to get away from each other,” she explains.) Communications manager Carolyn Rehm uses this carrier when she travels with her cats,Broccoli and Dilly: “If we go on a longer trip where we would need to bring the cats in the car, you can very comfortably fit them, some water, and one of those little portable litter boxes,” she says. It also comes with a washable mat and an optional hammock for lounging.

Soft- vs. hard-sided:Soft |Style:Duffel |Size:One size with a max weight of 25 pounds

Van de Kieft likes this soft-sided carrier from Petsfit that has three openings in total — on the top, front, and side — though she finds the side opening easiest to get her cats into since it is wider than the others. Van de Kieft owns two of these carriers and says she leaves them out in her house for her cats to use as beds. The carrier comes with a fleece mat, but she adds additional bedding and hides treats inside to make it extra appealing. The larger size of this carrier makes it nice and spacious for cats, especially for longer trips, but it is too large to fit under most airplane seats, so it’s best reserved for car travel.

Soft- vs. hard-sided:Soft |Style:Rolling and backpack |Size:One size with a max weight of 15 pounds

Rolling-suitcase-style cat carriers are a good option for pet owners “who have health issues that prevent them from being able to carry the cat” or for “very big cats that are large and heavy,” says McKeon. This carrier comes with a luggage handle that allows you to wheel it along, but there are also straps on the back that let you carry it as a backpack. One thing to be mindful of, however, is that “when you’re using a wheeled carrier, they’re going to feel every single crack in the sidewalk or bump in the road,” Delgado says. This carrier’s convertibility means that you can switch between the two modes to give both you and your cat a break.

Soft- vs. hard-sided:Soft |Style:Stroller |Size:One size with a max weight of 45 pounds

Cat strollers are a great way to provide your pet with safe yet enriching outdoor activity. They can also be a good way to transport your cat without a car, Johnson says, as they are more stable than a backpack or handheld carrier and generally offer nervous cats room to hide. Pet Gear’s strollers come recommended by Johnson, Delgado, and veterinarian Dr. Brian Evans for their sophisticated shock absorption and secure design. “I’ve seen strollers that were not made very well and had some gaps in the enclosure part, so a cat could theoretically escape. You really want to make sure that it’s completely sealed and there’s no small spaces that they could squeeze out of,” Delgado advises. This stroller features an easy locking mechanism as well as an interior collar tether to help make sure your cat will remain safely ensconced, while still providing panoramic vinyl mesh windows so they can watch the world go by. Delgado also recommends adding some padding like a fleece blanket, cat bed, or towel to make the experience a bit less “jostle-y.”

Soft- vs. hard-sided:Soft |Style:Stroller |Size:One size with a max weight of 55 pounds

Johnson also recommends the DoggyRide stroller for cat parents who want to take their furry friends outside safely. While DoggyRide originally designed products for dogs, this one is appropriately sized for both cats and smaller dogs to use. Johnson likes the “cool and modern design” of the stroller, as well as its versatility. In addition to a traditional stroller, the DoggyRide can convert into a traditional carrier with the wheels removed or into a bike trailer, with anadditional kitthat includes a safety flag, tow bar, and hitch.

Soft- vs. hard-sided:Hard-sided cardboard |Style:Duffel |Size:One size; no weight restrictions listed but recommended for smaller/lighter pets

Finally, if you’re short on space or cash (or both), a cardboard carrier is an easy and economical option, so long as you’re only making the occasional drive to the vet and not hauling your cat cross-country. Trolio used one when her cats were younger and smaller and she lived in a one-bedroom apartment. She found it easy to make the glorified cardboard box more comfortable by putting a towel or blanket inside, and appreciated that it could “fold super-flat when we weren’t using it and we could store it behind a dresser.” It’s also less of a headache if your cat has a tendency to pee when nervous, since it’s “technically disposable if you need it to be — and then you can just wash whatever bedding you’ve put inside,” Trolio says. However, if your cat is on the stouter side, cardboard may not work for you, as it’s a bit unwieldy to carry when loaded.