8 Cat Carriers for a Quiet Ride

Mason jars. Tea kettles. Tissue boxes. Cats love contorting themselves into impossibly small spaces, but present them with a carrier and, Oh hell no. Clearly the self-imposed claustrophobia is allowed on their terms only. And can you blame them? A trip to the vet, especially if in a cab or on the subway, is a bumpy one, rife with strangers’ shrill coos and wet dog noses up close and personal. Read on for tips on choosing the best cat carrier for your cat and seven of our top picks.

How to Choose a Cat Carrier

“There are so many things coming at them and they can’t go anywhere,” explains Cristin Tamburo, a certified feline behavior consultant. “The experience leaves them feeling vulnerable, like a human swimming with sharks.” While you’re probably never going to convince your cat that curling up in a carrier will lead to good things, the least you can do is make them feel comfortable in one that’s the right size, well ventilated, sturdy, and safe. “I see people use the same carrier that they bought for their kitten. Your cat shouldn’t be squished into the carrier and unable to move. They should have room to twist themselves around from one side of the carrier to the other.”

Veterinarian Dr. Tammy Hunter agrees, adding, “The ideal carrier is strong, lightweight, and waterproof, with a large opening to allow easy access to the cat, and an easy to remove top with ‘quick release’ fasteners. If you have a carrier with a removable top, your cat may be able to remain nestled in the bottom of the carrier while your veterinarian performs some parts of the routine physical examination. The most important criteria for a carrier: It should be easy to clean and you should be able to get your cat in and out of it without a struggle.”

Acclimating Your Cat to a New Carrier

Speaking of struggles... Whichever carrier best suits your cat, Marilyn Krieger, certified cat behaviorist and author of Naughty No More!, recommends leaving it out in your home for at least a week before a vet appointment or travel plans to desensitize your cat to it: “Leave the door open and put a bed or towel inside. Play with your cat near it. Throw treats and toys inside. This will help take away their fear of it.”

Veterinarian Dr. Cheryl Yuill adds, “Another way to prepare for your visit to the vet is to spritz the carrier with three to four squirts of  Feliway®, a synthetic copy of the cat’s facial pheromone, which may help create a sense of familiarity or security in the cat’s environment. If your cat already has negative associations with the current carrier that you are using, consider purchasing a new carrier that does not resemble the old one.”

The 8 Best Expert-Recommended Cat Carriers

If you’re searching for the perfect travel carrier for your kitty, here’s a round-up of the best cat carriers recommended by a cat behaviorist.

Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)

Roverlund Out-of-Office Pet Carrier

$149

There’s a reason this Roverlund travel carrier is Wired Mag’s favorite from 2020. Its three-in-one design (airline compliant pet carrier, everyday travel bag, and mobile dog or cat bed) makes it the perfect versatile addition to any pet parent’s travel arsenal. Plus, it’s constructed from marine and mountaineering grade materials so even the most determined pet won’t be able to Breakaway like Kelly Clarkson circa 2004.

$149 at Roverlund

Noots Callisto Cat Travel Bag

$150

$95

If you’ve ever wondered why modern cat carriers often look like their original plastic boxy prototypes without much room for innovation or contemporary flare, wonder no more. This vegan leather perforated kitty tote makes for a stylish addition to any travel day. It features a water-resistant interior with a removable insert for maximum support, opposing zippers for secure travel, and a collapsible design so it won’t take up any more space than you need it to.

• Women Owned

$95 at Noots

Italic Travel Pet Carrier

$108

Looking for a no-frills minimalist design at an unbeatable price? You’ve come to the right place. Italic’s portable pet carrier has all the essentials without sacrificing style. It has mesh panels at the sides that provide maximum ventilation for your pet and a sherpa-lined removable and machine-washable interior padding. A leather top handle, shoulder strap, and luggage sleeve make it just as comfortable for you during your travels — whether it’s by land, air, or sea.

$108 at Italic

Maisonette Shaya Leather Pet Carrier

$795

This luxurious pet carrier isn’t your run of the mill plastic crate with a metal door. The leather canvas open top carrier is hand crafted and sourced from Italy, giving its classic quality a timeless feel. It has a pocket for you and your pet’s essentials and inside is accident-proof nylon, making it a major upgrade for the both of you.

$795 at Maisonette

Arlo Skye The Pet Carrier

$275

This sleek carrier features 360 degree ventilation so you and your pet can breathe easy on your new journey together. The soft-sided carrier features a memory foam mattress that will give your cat their most luxurious sleep to date and will help create a fondness for their carrier as a place of comfort. Plus, it’s removable and washing machine friendly incase any accidents occur en route to your destination.

$275 at Arlo Skye

Away Pet Carrier

$225

Made by the internet’s favorite suitcase brand, Away, this airline compliant carrier uses sherpa bedding, water resistant lining, and an excess of pockets to win over the hearts of traveling pet owners. It’s proportioned to securely fit over your Away luggage and even features a latch that can fasten to a car seat belt for travel by car.

$225 at Away

PetAmi Deluxe Cat Backpack Carrier

$40

Have cat, will travel? Join the #adventurecats movement and brave the great outdoors with your cat as your copilot in this escape-proof cat backpack.

$40 at Amazon

Petmate Two-Door Top Load Pet Kennel

$42

Have you made the mistake of trying to put your cat into their carrier head first? This travel crate has a top-load option that those of us who learned the hard way will appreciate. And since it isn’t collapsible like many soft carriers, it can double as a cave-like kennel at home.

$42 at Amazon