Top 5 Best Cat Carriers (We Tested Them All)

Whether you’re traveling, taking your cat to the vet, or want to be prepared in case of an emergency, a good carrier is essential for every cat guardian.

Video Navigation:

0:00 Introduction
0:13 How We Chose The Carriers

1:40 Overall Best: Sleepypod Air In-Cabin Pet Carrier

3:36 Best for Air Travel: Sherpa Travel Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier

5:39 Best for Nervous Cats: Sturdi Products SturdiBag Flexible Height Pet Carrier

7:21 Best Expandable Carrier: Petsfit Expandable Dog & Cat Carrier

9:16 Best Hard-Sided Carrier: Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Pet Kennel

11:25 Conclusion

Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links

[AA-yccc]

Shout out to your cats for being such good guinea pigs! Lol

[liveyouryoga]

I have been a cat owner for over 30 years, and most certainly these softer versions were not available. In fact my cat carriers got passed down. I have no clue on collar and harness training which is required when using these more modern versions. I also didn’t know cat carriers could be tethered. Most “old school carriers” only offered side entrance openings, which was at times challenging trying to get my cats into them without a fuss. We had to turn the carriers so that the openings were facing upright. Sometimes their claws would attach to the soft material on the floor of these carriers too. So from the get-go, an anxiety provoking experience for all of my cats. On the plus side, they were very secure for travelling locally to the vet. I am so glad there are so many options out there and worth the price of comfort and ✌️ of mind.

[Valentina-qvqb]

This channel is insanely informative and the reviews are very well explained. I've had my eye on the expandable carrier for a while but I believe I might go for another option. Thank you!

[Msjt]

I have the sleepy pod atom and air. As expensive as it was, I would say that it's soooo worth the purchase. I can't believe how high quality it is and I'm very glad I made the purchase. It's actually quite big o.o.. Will be flying with a puppy in a couple months, eeek!!

[localchumb]

I just brought my three cats to the veterinarian yesterday and I used two sleepypod airs with one standard hard box carrier. It was super easy to situate the sleepy pods into the car with the seatbelt and I could carry two cats with one arm. There would have been no way for me to handle three cats in three hard box carriers. Now I just need a wheelbarrow to lug around any extra cats I end up with haha. Thanks so much for suggesting the sleepypod, Mallory!!

[lindaschweitzer]

I just had my 15 lb. Cat escape from his Sherpa carrier while on the way to the vet. He was maniacal at tearing at the zippers ...and then... yes... he broke through the zipper side, leaving it "still zipped", but now separated. From there he bolted all around the car. Fun!
I also had a cat escape from a hard sided carrier having the bolts that hold it together. She fought just as hard as he did and one of the bolts gave way enough that she squeezed herself through. That was the last time I ever saw her.
All my cats are very loving but all of them were born feral. They all were trapped to catch them. None them will have anything to do with a carrier..unless they are in the throes of death already.
I do wish there really was an escape-proof carrier.

[stacieharris]

Could you please do a review for the best cat backpacks? I am especially curious about the "fat cat backpack." 🎒🐱

[ourdreamscollide]

Just an FYI/warning about the Sherpa for plane approval (apologies for the length of this comment, and I hope this makes sense):

The Sherpa carriers have a limited list for each airline of the types of planes that each size carrier is approved for, and many airlines do not publicly publish their underseat dimensions on their websites.

When I travel with my cat, I'm usually on a smaller Delta jet (an E170/E175, which has an underseat dimension of 7.8" -- No, that is not a typo. It is genuinely under 8 inches.). The Sherpa in any size is not approved for this plane. It is designed to squash down at the back, and I think can ultimately fit, but the Sherpa is not technically "Guaranteed on Board" for EVERY plane/airline/flight, which I did not understand when I purchased it.

For this reason, I have ended up using a different cat carrier for plane travel (from company Pawfect Pets, which compresses completely at the top but leaves plenty of headroom for my petite, 8lb cat. It also has a little "treat pocket" to slip your hand in during the flight to give treats or a reassuring pet).
The Sherpa is a great option for larger, standard sized planes and would be what I used if I traveled on large planes.

I have a PDF of all the approved Sherpas for each plane per Delta underseat dimensions, but I can no longer find a link online, or I'd put a link in this comment! I'm happy to send it to anyone if they are interested; I wish I could still find the PDF online!


The FlyerTalk forum also has helpful threads to figure out carrier dimensions for other airlines.

[monazaki]

My cat opened the expandable carrier... I only used the carrier once! Your cats are adorable!

[arif]

Merry Christmas, Mallory! 🎄 I hope someday you and Jackson Galaxy can do a collab! I'm always excited when you post a video. Your reviews are thorough, informative, and you speak really well.

[NoahMurray-gkyb]

You're making amazing videos, very high quality. You deserve so many views!!!

[CandycaneBeyond]

I got 2 of the Sherpa ones for my cats. I love that these can fully collapse and be stored easily. The zippers only get stuck around corners. Zipping any square shape is difficult. Sherpa is soft and washable. It is held together with huge velcro straps. Carrying straps are comfortable.

[Maryann-wcvo]

Thank you for all the videos. I adopted a cat 2 wks ago so I’m watching all your videos.
Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 and Happy New Year

[garytanger]

Great review.. I took my 2 cats on a necessary, 12 hrs car trip.. I joined 2 large traps together for each, stopped every 3-4 hrs to ck on them & clean their box.. They didn't like it a bit.. I can't imagine flying with them & maybe having a delay, Oh My !

[Prithviraj]

Again she is only one who tried all
Means honest review

[nicoleleung]

ALWAYS CALL THE AIRLINE BEFOREHAND

When flying with your cats, calling the airline about the underseat dimensions and restrictions is a MUST. Not all planes allow for animals to ride in the cabin. Most planes have a limit on how many animals can be on the flight, as well as seating restrictions to avoid issues with passengers with allergies or phobias. I know that the only way you can book a flight with a cat/small dog on Alaska and Delta is to call them. It is not an option when buying tickets online to add animals. Guess that seems to be the best way these airlines have found to avoid any travel day problems.

Also important to note is that most airlines only allow one animal per person/seat ticket unless they're small enough to fit together. Sadly, multiple animals usually means either one has to ride in cargo (which is not ideal at all) or getting a travel friend/buying two seats.

[BadMitzi]

I love my Sturdi bag, my older cat travelled from Europe to North America 😍 in this carrier.

[alicecruse]

i think an update is due cause in the last two years the popularity of taking cats around has really increased its not just when necessary so a lot more have popped up so it would be good to see those as well

[colemine]

I brought 5 cats home from an island in the South Pacific. That was an adventure. I lived there for two years and the mom cat adopted me and had kittens and I brought them all home. International travel required them to be in the cargo. This trip was 16 hour flight. They required the hard sided and zipped tied shut and with a water bottle. I was so glad to get them home.

[imzadifanvids]

Have the Sleepy Pod and love it. Doubt I would use anything else. But there are a couple of downsides I'd mention that weren't addressed here.

1) Interior is black only, so difficult to see a black cat inside. I always keep a reflective collar on my girl to help with this.

2) Wish the interior could be removed for more through cleaning. If you're using squeezy treats or your cat vomits in the carrier you can only spot clean.

3) Because it's collapsible it can be difficult to train the cat to go in and out of it, as you have to find a way to prop it up if you have the cover partially unzipped.