Walking & Travel
Best Cat Carriers
For many cats, the cat carrier is the hardest part of a vet visit. Feline vets have written guidelines on what makes a good one, and on how to get a cat to walk in on its own [1][2].
We picked three carriers against that checklist: a hard carrier with a top door, a soft zip carrier, and a backpack for trips on foot.
The best cat carrier is one your cat will walk into, that opens from the top, and that is big enough for the cat to stand, turn around and lie down in a natural position, which is the size rule in the AAFP's transport position statement [5]. The same statement prefers sturdy plastic or fiberglass and says soft carriers give minimal impact protection [5]. Below are three carriers checked against those rules, then how to load a reluctant cat and where the carrier goes in the car.
Our 3 picks at a glance
- Best Hard-SidedAmazon Basics 2-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Pet CarrierFront and top doors; sized by pet height and length (12–20 lb as a guide)Check price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
- Best Soft-SidedMorpilot Soft Cat CarrierZippered soft carrier with a two-sided pad and a folding bowlCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
- Best BackpackTexsens Bubble Backpack Pet CarrierHands-free backpack with mesh sides, for cats up to about 18 poundsCheck price on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)
How we chose these carriers
We searched Amazon for cat carriers and read the top organic results. We picked one hard-sided carrier, one soft-sided and one backpack.
We checked each against the AAFP and ISFM handling guidelines and Cat Friendly Homes, the AAFP's site for owners [1][2][3]. If you travel by car with a dog too, see our dog car seat guide. A cat that already likes hiding spots takes to a carrier more easily; see our cat tunnel guide.
What feline vets say about carriers
The 2011 AAFP and ISFM handling guidelines describe a good carrier as sturdy, secure, stable, easy to carry and quiet to open. They recommend a removable top, especially for fearful, sick, painful or limited-mobility cats [1]. The 2022 guidelines add that at the clinic the top half can come off so the cat is examined in the bottom half [2].
Cat Friendly Homes adds: look for both a top and a front opening, a bottom that's easy to clean and won't leak, and good airflow with some visual cover [3]. These sources list features rather than picking hard or soft, though the AAFP's 2010 transport statement (see below) prefers sturdy plastic or fiberglass and says soft carriers give minimal impact protection.
In the car, the 2022 guidelines cite Center for Pet Safety advice that most carriers, including all hard plastic ones, go on the floor behind the front seats [2]. Getting the cat used to the carrier matters as much as the carrier: leave it out at home with soft bedding and treats inside, so it becomes a familiar spot [1][4].
What size cat carrier do I need?
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) sets the size rule in its position statement on transporting cats: the carrier should let the cat stand, turn around and lie down comfortably in a natural position [5]. The same statement says one cat per carrier, except a mother with her kittens [5].
To check a carrier against your cat, take two numbers with a soft tape while the cat stands:
- Length: tip of the nose to the base of the tail. The carrier's inside length should be longer, so the cat can lie stretched out.
- Height: floor to the top of the head with the cat standing normally. The cat should not have to crouch.
- Width: the cat needs room to turn without folding against the walls.
Compare those numbers with the inside measurements where a listing gives them, not just the weight range. The Amazon Basics listing says its 12 to 20 pound range is a guide only, and the Texsens backpack says your cat must fit within 14.5 by 12 inches. For a long drive, size up: UC Davis's Clinical Animal Behavior Service handout says a litter box and food and water dishes should fit inside the carrier for travel [6].
For flights, the airline sets the maximum under-seat dimensions, and they differ between airlines and even aircraft. Check your airline's current pet page before you buy; an "airline approved" tag on a listing doesn't decide it.
Hard vs soft cat carriers: which is better?
The AAFP's transport statement is the clearest vet source on this. It prefers sturdy, impact-resistant plastic or fiberglass, accepts wire carriers though they give less visual privacy, and accepts soft-sided carriers only with mesh or holes on at least two sides, noting they offer minimal impact protection [5]. It calls pillowcases, luggage, purses and other non-animal containers unacceptable [5].
Hard plastic isn't automatically crash-safe, though. In the Center for Pet Safety's 2015 carrier crash study, a hard plastic kennel secured with seat belts fractured and released the test dog [8].
| Type | What vets say | Strengths | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard plastic or fiberglass | Preferred by the AAFP [5] | Impact-resistant shell; many have a top door or a removable top [1] | Bulky to store; plastic can still crack in a crash [8] |
| Soft-sided (zip) | Acceptable with mesh on two or more sides; minimal impact protection [5] | Light, folds flat, easy to carry on a shoulder | Can sag onto the cat; harder to clean if soiled |
| Wire or cage | Acceptable, less visual privacy [5] | Good airflow, easy to see in | A nervous cat has nowhere to hide; cover with a towel [3] |
| Backpack | Not addressed by the AAFP statement | Hands-free for walking or transit | Lifting a cat out of the top is harder than out of a top door |
| Bag, purse or pillowcase | Unacceptable [5] | None | No ventilation standard or structure |
"Acceptable" and "preferred" are the AAFP 2010 position statement's wording.
Amazon Basics 2-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Pet Carrier
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
This carrier has both a front door and a top door, which is what Cat Friendly Homes recommends [3]. A top door means you can lift a nervous cat in and out instead of tipping it out of the front. The listing says the top door swings open either way, and both doors have spring latches you can work with one hand.
It's plastic with steel wire doors, vented on the sides, top and back, and 22.8 by 15 by 13 inches. The listing says to choose by your pet's height and length, with weight (12 to 20 pounds) as a guide only.
Morpilot Soft Cat Carrier
Sold by Life inspiratio, ships from Amazon.
A soft carrier is lighter and folds flat for storage. This one is 17.3 by 12.2 by 13.4 inches, with mesh on about 40% of its surface for airflow and a buckle the listing says stops your pet escaping.
It comes with a removable two-sided pad (cool side for summer, warm side for winter), a shoulder strap and a folding bowl. The fleece mat comes out for washing.
Good to know
- Folds flat for storage
- Pad, strap and folding bowl included
- Weighs 2.6 pounds, per the listing
Keep in mind
- Weight limit conflict: the title says 20 lbs; the spec says 16. Go by 16
- The listing doesn't say whether it opens from the top
- A tag says "Airline Approved", but the listing also says to check each airline's rules; do that
Texsens Bubble Backpack Pet Carrier
Sold by TEXSENS, ships from Amazon.
If you walk or take transit to the vet, a backpack frees your hands. This one is 12.6 by 11.4 by 16.5 inches, with mesh on three sides and a chest buckle to spread the weight.
Fit is the key check: the listing says your pet must sit within 14.5 inches tall and 12 inches wide. It lists cats up to 18 pounds in one place and 8 kg (about 17.6 pounds) in another.
Good to know
- Hands-free for walking
- Mesh on three sides for airflow
- Removable mat
Keep in mind
- Check fit: your cat must sit within 14.5 × 12 inches
- The listing doesn't describe its openings; lifting a cat out of a backpack is usually harder than out of a top door
- A spec tag says "Airline Approved", but airlines set their own rules; check yours
The three cat carriers compared
| Product | Type | Openings | Size | Pet weight (listing) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics 2-door | Hard plastic | Front + top | 22.8 × 15 × 13 in | 12–20 lbs, "reference only" |
| Morpilot | Soft, zip | Not specified | 17.3 × 12.2 × 13.4 in | 16 lbs (title: 20) |
| Texsens backpack | Backpack | Not specified | 12.6 × 11.4 × 16.5 in | About 17.6–18 lbs |
Specs as stated on each Amazon listing, checked September 2026.
How to put a cat in a carrier (even one that fights it)
The work starts days or weeks before the trip. UC Davis's behavior service suggests leaving the carrier out with toys, treats and a soft blanket, and feeding the cat in it [6]. Ohio State's Indoor Pet Initiative suggests short practice drives around the block a few times a week, with a special treat [7].
On the day
- Shut the cat in a small room with the carrier before you need to leave, so there's no chase under the bed.
- Spray the blanket inside with a feline facial pheromone, as Cat Friendly Homes suggests [4].
- If the carrier has a top door or a removable top, take the top off and lower the cat in from above rather than pushing it through the front [1][2].
- Lift with both hands, supporting the cat's rear end; Cat Friendly Homes notes many cats have arthritis in the neck or back [4].
- If the cat struggles, drape a blanket or towel over it, wrap it loosely (not tight) and slide the bundle in [4].
- Close the door, then cover the carrier with a towel for privacy, leaving room to carry it with one hand on top and one underneath [3].
For a cat that becomes aggressive or very fearful on every trip, talk to your vet before the next visit. In a 2017 randomized, blinded crossover trial of 20 cats with a history of stress at vet visits, a single dose of gabapentin given by the owner before the trip lowered owner-rated stress during transport and improved cooperation during the exam. Sedation was common, and some cats had wobbliness, drooling or vomiting that cleared within 8 hours [9]. It was a small study, and the drug and dose are your vet's call.
How to secure a cat carrier in the car
Vet sources agree the carrier must be level and unable to slide, but they differ on where it goes:
- The 2022 AAFP/ISFM guidelines cite Center for Pet Safety advice that most carriers, including all hard plastic ones, go on the floor behind the front seats [2].
- The AAFP's 2010 transport statement says the floorboard or a level seat, secured with a seat belt or wedged with weighted items, and kept out of direct airflow from vents [5].
- Cat Friendly Homes says a level back seat, fastened with a seat belt [3].
The crash data explains the floor advice. In the Center for Pet Safety's 2015 carrier study, testers routed the seat belts over a hard plastic kennel's fastener ridge to give it its best chance, and it still fractured and released the dog [8]. The report's conclusion is that a carrier's connection and structure matter more than its looks or marketing [8].
In practice: the footwell behind a front seat holds a carrier snugly with nothing to fall from. If it must ride on the seat, run the belt through the carrier's belt guides or around the body, not just through the carry handle, which is built to hold the carrier's weight while you walk, not crash forces. Keep it out of direct sun, as UC Davis advises [6]. If a dog rides along too, our dog car seat guide covers where it should sit.
Can a cat ride in a car without a carrier?
No. The AAFP's position statement calls letting a cat roam free in a vehicle inappropriate and dangerous, for the cat and because it can interfere with the driver, and says cats should stay in a carrier during travel and while being moved from the car to the destination [5]. It adds that dog seat-belt harnesses are seldom effective for cats and aren't reliable restraints [5].
The same statement says never put a cat in a pickup bed or leave it in a parked car [5], and UC Davis warns that a car's temperature can quickly reach fatal levels [6]. If you let the cat out of the carrier at a rest stop, UC Davis says to keep the doors and windows shut while it's loose [6].
How long can a cat stay in a carrier?
None of the vet sources we read gives a maximum number of hours. What they give is a setup for long trips:
- Room inside: a carrier big enough for a small litter box and food and water dishes [6].
- Water and a hiding place at all times, and a comfortable car temperature [6].
- Breaks at rest stops, inside the closed car, so the cat can stretch and use the litter box [6]. Ohio State suggests a disposable cardboard litter box on the floor or in the back of an SUV or minivan [7].
- Supplies of food, water, litter and medication for several days longer than you plan to be away [6].
- A label on the carrier with your and your cat's names and contact details [5][6].
For long trips, Ohio State says to ask your vet about medication to calm the cat [7]. If your cat won't drink or use the litter box over a long travel day, call your vet for advice. If the carrier gets soiled on the way, clean it with an enzyme cleaner before the next trip; our pet stain remover guide covers which kinds break down urine.
Carrier features feline vets ask for
A top opening
Cat Friendly Homes recommends a top and a front opening [3], and the guidelines favor a top that comes off [1].
Easy to clean
Look for a carrier that's easy to clean, with a bottom that won't leak [3].
Airflow and a little cover
Good ventilation plus some visual shielding; a towel over the carrier can help a nervous cat [1][3].
Airline rules
Size and type rules vary by airline. Check with yours before you buy for a flight.
Which cat carrier to get
- Best Hard-Sided: The Amazon Basics has the top and front doors Cat Friendly Homes recommends, and it's sold by Amazon.
- Best Soft-Sided: The Morpilot folds flat and comes with a pad and bowl; go by its 16-pound spec.
- Best Backpack: The Texsens is for trips on foot, if your cat fits within 14.5 × 12 inches.
Cat carrier FAQ
Is a hard or soft cat carrier better?
How do I get my cat into a carrier?
Where should a cat carrier go in the car?
On the floor behind the front seats, for most carriers and all hard plastic ones, according to Center for Pet Safety advice cited in the 2022 guidelines [2].
What size carrier does my cat need?
Go by your cat's height and length, not just weight. The Amazon Basics listing says its weight range is for reference only, and the Texsens gives a 14.5 × 12 inch fit.
Are these carriers airline approved?
Two listings carry an "Airline Approved" tag, but airline rules differ. Check with your airline before you buy.
Can two cats share one carrier?
The AAFP's transport position statement says to avoid putting more than one cat in a carrier, with the exception of a mother cat and her kittens [5]. Two cats in a confined, moving space can fight or injure each other if one panics, and a single carrier sized for one cat to stand, turn and lie down won't give that room to two. Use one carrier per cat.
Should I cover my cat's carrier with a towel?
Yes, for most cats. Cat Friendly Homes suggests draping a towel over the carrier for privacy in unfamiliar places, and making sure you can still carry it with one hand on top and the other underneath [3]. Leave the mesh or vent openings at least partly uncovered so air keeps moving, and put an absorbent towel on the floor of the carrier too.
Can I carry my cat in a bag or pillowcase?
No. The AAFP's position statement on transporting cats lists pillowcases, luggage, purses and other non-animal containers as unacceptable [5]. They have no ventilation design and no rigid structure, and a frightened cat can claw its way out. A soft carrier is acceptable to the AAFP only if at least two sides are mesh or have holes for airflow [5].
Is it OK to let my cat out of the carrier during a long drive?
Only at a stop, with the car parked and every door and window shut, as UC Davis's behavior service advises [6]. The AAFP says cats should stay in a carrier while the car is moving and when you carry them from the car to the destination [5]. Use the stop for a litter-box break and water, then put the cat back before you open a door.
Sources
- Rodan I, Sundahl E, Carney H, et al. AAFP and ISFM Feline-Friendly Handling Guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 13(5):364–375 (2011). journals.sagepub.com
- Rodan I, Dowgray N, Carney HC, et al. 2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines: Approach and Handling Techniques. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2022). journals.sagepub.com
- O'Steen H. Choosing the Perfect Cat Carrier. Cat Friendly Homes (AAFP), 2025. catfriendly.com
- O'Steen H. Five Cat Carrier Tips. Cat Friendly Homes (AAFP), 2019, modified 2022. catfriendly.com
- AAFP — Position Statement: Transport of Cats (2010). old.catvets.com
- UC Davis Clinical Animal Behavior Service — Traveling with Cats (client handout). vetmed.ucdavis.edu
- The Ohio State University Indoor Pet Initiative — Traveling with Your Cat. indoorpet.osu.edu
- Center for Pet Safety — 2015 Carrier Crashworthiness Study, summary (2015). centerforpetsafety.org
- van Haaften KA, Forsythe LRE, Stelow EA, Bain MJ. Effects of a single preappointment dose of gabapentin on signs of stress in cats during transportation and veterinary examination. JAVMA 251(10):1175–1181 (2017). doi.org