Traveling with a nervous cat is no walk in the park. The experience is similar to parenting a baby who doesn’t sleep at night.
Your cat will cry the whole time while attempting to escape the carrier every now and then. Choosing the best carrier for your cat is the only long term solution to this problem.
I’ve talked with many cat owners, both online and offline, and have also found through my own experience that best carriers are secure, durable, and easy to carry.
With this information in mind, I’ve reviewed dozens of carriers online and have talked to people who’ve used these carriers.
After spending multiple hours doing online research and interviewing people, I’ve picked the top 5 carriers in the market.
Make sure to read all options thoroughly so you can find an option best suited for both you and your furball.
Our Top Pick: Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier
For people who’re looking for a carrier with a perfect balance of features, Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier is the best option.
It comes in three different sizes and the biggest one has the capacity to hold weight up to 22 pounds – which is enough for two fully-grown cats. The carrier is one of the safest and comfortable options in the market, also it’s airline approved.
It has a wire spring frame that compresses the carrier down by several inches – this feature is used for fitting the carrier underneath the seat.
And to give you peace of mind, you get a money-back guarantee in case the carrier doesn’t meet any rules or regulations of an airline.
For car travel, it includes a strap that ensures the cage doesn’t fall or slide while driving at a bit of speed or through a bumpy road.
With two entries, it’s very convenient to get your cat in and out of the carrier and the durable zippers provide protection for your feline friend.
For comfort, the carrier has a bed made of padding fleece and there is a lot of ventilation that provides fresh air.
To provide your cat some privacy there are roll-down panels, and to make things convenient for you, there is a large shoulder strap that makes carrying your pet very convenient.
With nearly six thousand reviews and a rating of 4.6 stars, it’s fair to say that people love this product.
Check out this cat carrier from this Amazon link
Best Cat Carrier Recommendation – Top 5
| Our Recommendations | Brand |
| Best Overall | Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier |
| Best Soft Sided Cat Carrier | Sleeko Luxury Pet Carrier |
| Best Budget Cat Carrier | Pet Magasin Luxury Soft-Sided Carrier |
| Best Plastic Cat Carrier | Petmate Two Door Top Load Kennel |
| Best Foldable Cat Carrier | Sportpet Foldable Carrier |
Best Soft Sided Cat Carrier: Sleeko Luxury Pet Carrier
This one is also an airline-approved carrier; it is small enough to fit underneath the seat and meets all FAA requirements.
It has meshed-windows that provide plenty of ventilation for your cat and there is an ultra-plush bed that keeps them safe and comfortable.
To make the carrying convenient, through the hustle and bustle of the airport, there is a padded shoulder strap attached to the top. And to get your pet in and out of the carrier in a convenient manner there are three zippered openings.
It also includes seatbelts, that will keep your cat safe and comfortable while traveling in a car.
The only con of this carrier is that it can’t hold multiple cats or even a large cat. It’s not safe to travel with cats heavier than 11lbs in this career.
Check out the cat carrier from here
Best Budget Cat Carrier: Pet Magasin Luxury Soft-Sided Carrier
Pet Magasin Luxury Soft-Sided Carrier is arguably the best carrier for its price.
At only $18 you get a durable carrier that will last for a long period and to make things even better it is made from rugged material that makes it waterproof and washable.
The carrier weighs only 2.2 pounds and comes with two options for carrying: A carry handle and an adjustable shoulder strap. The carrier is already small and light but with two handling options it just becomes effortless to carry.
There is ventilation to provide your cat fresh air and to keep her nice and comfy the interior is made of soft padding.
The carrier is airline approved and it’s small and foldable so it goes under the seats easily.
Like any other product, this one contains some cons as well. It’s not made for large-sized cats and it doesn’t come with a seatbelt strap for a car traveling.
With 2700 reviews and 4.5 ratings on Amazon, it’s safe to say you can buy a good carrier without breaking a bank.
Check further info and latest price from here
Best Plastic Cat Carrier: Petmate Two Door Top Load Kennel
For those of you who prefer a plastic carrier Petmate Two Door Top, Load Kennel is probably the best product available in the market.
The Kennel is constructed with heavy-duty plastic and it has a large front door that is made of steel wire.
It’s strong and sturdily built is perfect for keeping your furball safe and the carrier is capable of taking a ruthless beating from those claws and teeth – meaning it won’t expire for a long time.
To take the security at the next level the carrier snaps together with four latches and screws are included to add further reinforcement.
There are two doors that serve many purposes. They provide air, convenience, and visibility:
Multiple doors make it easy to clean the carrier and to get your kitty in and out, both doors have multiple holes that provide a lot of fresh air, and you can watch your kitty from two angles.
The only two downsides of this carrier are the small handle on top and not enough space for more than one cat.
Check more information from this Amazon page
Best Foldable Cat Carrier: Sportpet Foldable Carrier
If you don’t know it already, let me be the one to break it down to you. Not All Cats Love To Travel!
Just like some cats love physical activity while others, let’s just say not so much. There are cats who love traveling and there are cats who get nervous while traveling.
They don’t like being placed in a small and unfamiliar environment.
Fortunately for our cute and nervous little felines, Sportpet Foldable Carrier is designed to keep the cats psychologically comfortable.
Unlike other carriers, this one has a wide door that opens from the side rather than the top or front. The large entry immensely decreases the hesitation of the feline and some even get inside on their own.
The large entry also makes it easier to clean each edge of the carrier.
It’s spacious enough even for a gigantic feline and the inside is extra comfy. The inside of the kennel is made of ultra-plush, with synthetic fur and puffy poly-fiber.
To make the experience further relaxing for your feline the carrier folds flat which makes it easier to put at the surface of the car. It’ll help your feline feel calm while driving through a bumpy road and keep her safe in case any accident happens.
Overall, people really loved this carrier and they were amazed by just how much calmer their feline feels inside it.
People complained that it’s not easy to carry and some said the product is not very durable.
All in all, with over 1600+ reviews and 4.6 ratings on Amazon. I say this carrier seems worth a shot. Go and check this carrier from here.
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Frequently Asked Questions Related to Cat Carriers
I saw people were asking these 3 questions a lot, so I’ve decided to answer them in this section.
Do cats prefer hard or soft carriers?
Generally, cats prefer hard carriers. They make them feel secure and usually come in bigger sizes compared to soft carriers.
Can I put two cats in one carrier?
Yes, you can absolutely put two cats in one carrier. There are actually carriers made specifically for multiple cats.
However, some cats are very aggressive about sharing their space and it’s best to put these felines in a separate carrier.
How long can my cat stay in a carrier?
You should not put your cat in a carrier for more than 6 hours. If you have to keep them inside for a longer period make sure to take them outside after every 2-4 hours.
Final Thoughts
Good carriers are essential for a smooth and comfortable travelling experience. A good carrier should be big, durable, and tailored to fulfil your cat needs.
Carriers mentioned in this post are the top 5 I’ve found in the market and at least one of these is guaranteed to fulfil all your cat’s needs.
Pick the option that best suits both of your needs and have a safe and wonderful journey!
Author: Paras Raja
Paras Raja is a freelance lifestyle writer and a frequent contributor at Walk With Cat community. He is an expert for writing interactive articles for brands that want to see their rankings surge in client communities. He writes in-depth and well-written articles and has hundreds of satisfied readers around the globe.
The lifestyle with pets always rewarding for a stress-free life. Paras loves to share his experiences and expertise among pets with WalkwithCat not just as a writer, but also as a caring pet lover.
