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Cat carriers

Little things. Happy cats.

45 items picked for everyday life with your pet, with shipping estimates on every item.

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A cat relaxing at homeA happy life, one little thing at a time.
All cats car & travel →Cat backpacks →Soft cat carriers →Cat sling carriers →Large cat carriers →
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All cat carriers

Little essentials. Lots of love.

45 products

Here you will find carriers for cats: breathable mesh soft-sided carriers with handles, foldable travel carriers, bubble-window and quilted backpacks, an expandable backpack, a shoulder handbag style and a wheeled trolley carrier. It is for cat owners who need something for the vet, for a move or for regular travel, and want a carrier their cat will actually tolerate.

Carrier styles and when each works

Soft-sided carriers with mesh panels are the most versatile. They are light, have good airflow and fold for storage, and most open at the top as well as the end, which makes it far easier to lower a reluctant cat in than to push one through a front door. They suit vet visits, car trips and short walks to the car.

Backpacks with a bubble window or mesh front free both hands, which helps on public transportation or longer walks, and an expandable backpack can open into a larger rest area once you arrive. Shoulder handbag styles suit small cats for short distances. A wheeled trolley carrier takes the weight off your arms for big cats or long airport walks.

How to measure your cat

The American Kennel Club measuring method for carriers works for cats too: measure the back from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, and the height from the floor to the top of the shoulders, then add a few inches to each. Your cat should be able to stand, turn around and lie down stretched out.

Weigh your cat as well. Each carrier lists a maximum weight, and backpacks and shoulder bags in particular have lower limits than soft-sided carriers. A large cat of 15 lb or more is usually happier in a roomy soft carrier or a wheeled model than squeezed into a backpack.

Getting your cat used to the carrier

Most cats hate carriers because the carrier only appears before the vet. Leave it out in a room your cat uses, door open, with a familiar blanket inside. Drop treats in it, feed a meal beside it, then inside it. After a week or two many cats will nap in it.

When it is time to travel, lift the carrier from the bottom rather than swinging it by the handle, and keep it level. In the car, put it on the floor behind a seat or belt it in so it cannot slide. Cover part of the mesh with a light towel if your cat seems calmer when it cannot see out.

Air travel and safety checks

Airlines set their own under-seat dimensions and in-cabin pet rules, and they change. Check the current limits with your airline before you book, and compare them with the carrier's outside measurements, not the interior.

Before every trip, check zips, clips and seams. Cats are good at nosing open a zip that is not fully closed, so use any zip locks or clips provided. Never leave a cat in a carrier inside a parked car in warm weather, and if your cat pants, drools heavily or seems distressed on a trip, stop and contact your vet.

Cleaning and comfort inside the carrier

Put a washable towel or a piece of your cat's own bedding inside, which smells familiar and soaks up any accident on the way. Carry a spare and a few paper towels for longer trips, and pack a small bag for treats.

Most soft carriers have a removable base pad. Wash the liner and wipe the mesh after each vet visit, because many cats will refuse a carrier that still smells of the clinic. Let it dry fully and leave it out at home again so it goes back to being a normal part of the house.

Cat carrier carrying arrangements

FormatHow it carriesAccess or storage distinction
Soft-sidedHandle or shoulder carryingMesh panels,zipper openings and folded body
BackpackStraps over the shouldersFront opening and usable inside space
Expandable backpackA section opens into a larger areaClosed and expanded footprints
Shoulder handbagPet rests in a shoulder-carried bodyInterior space and attachment method
Wheeled trolleyWheels and a pulling handleRolling route and where it must be lifted
What size carrier does my cat need?

Measure from the base of the neck to the base of the tail and from the floor to the shoulders, then add a few inches. Your cat should be able to stand and turn around inside.

Are hard or soft cat carriers better?

Soft-sided carriers are lighter, easier to store and often open at the top, which helps with nervous cats. All the carriers in this range are soft or semi-structured designs.

Is a backpack carrier good for cats?

It can be for a confident cat on a short outing. Introduce it slowly at home, keep trips short at first, and check the maximum weight before buying for a large cat.

How do I get my cat into a carrier?

Leave it out at home so it becomes a normal object, feed treats inside, and use a top opening if there is one. Lower your cat in gently rather than pushing it through the end.