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Best Cat Carriers

Updated September 2018
Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Petmate
Ultra Vari Kennel
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Bottom Line

Despite a few flaws, this is an acceptable carrier for air cargo shipping, and an extremely sturdy option for transporting cats up to 15 lbs safely to the vet. It’s a good example of why it’s sometimes a good idea to go ahead and pay a lot more for reliability.

Pros

Metal side vents and metal door secure this sturdy, traditional carrier which meets USDA and IATA transport requirements, allowing it to be used as a pet cargo carrier on airlines. With threaded bolts holding it together, the carrier is easy to assemble and sturdy enough to withstand accidental drops when carrying. Extra bolts are included to use either as replacement or reinforcement. Good return policy and fast replacement reported.

Cons

No rear vent, which at least one user resolved by drilling their own vent holes post-purchase. Predrilled tie-down strap holes are not part of the smaller 15-lb. carrier. A few users felt the carrier was small and flimsy, and cats over 15 lbs. might be pushing their luck in it. Some reports of product arriving damaged.

Best Bang for the Buck
Petmate
Two Door Top Load Kennel
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Bottom Line

For local transport to and from the vet, this sturdy carrier is a great buy. Rated for small cats; larger cats in the 15-20 lb. range may also fit this 24” carrier, though some users fretted whether the carrying handle would hold up. But you’ll have to purchase a different carrier for airline travel.

Pros

2 access doors, one in front and one on top of the carrier, makes it much easier to shift cats safely in and out. Heavy-duty plastic container keeps pets secure, particularly with the wingnut screws rather than clips. Larger cats above 15 lbs. can fit into this bigger 24” carrier, and users report the carrying handle holds sturdy even with 20 lb. cats.

Cons

Cat owners needed a hard-sided carrier for airline shipping must look elsewhere, as this product is not rated for air cargo. It also doesn’t include a water cup attachment. The biggest complaint was of missing parts on delivery, followed by numerous reports that the steel front door is either misaligned or doesn’t fit at all. Some users weren’t thrilled about the wingnut screws, which are harder to remove than clips if owners want to disassemble and nest for storage.

Ferplast
Atlas 10 Cat and Dog Carrier
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Bottom Line

If “you get what you pay for” is the highest praise users can give a cat carrier, it’s probably a good idea to look for a better carrier. Flimsy construction and loose door locks make this a hassle for cat owners and could put cats in a dangerous situation if they escape at the wrong time. At 18 inches long, it’s smaller than most carriers.

Pros

Large side locking clips, which are essential in front-loading pet carriers should a cat prove reluctant to exit, or to disassemble quickly for storage. The metal door is removable and can swing open from the left or right side with a simple selection. Assembly is rock-simple.

Cons

Flimsy construction means the carrier flexes widely. The door latches can loosen up, allowing the door to swing open, particularly with a determined escape artist. some users report. Larger cats may find it a tight fit. And returns can cost more than the carrier’s purchase price.

AmazonBasics
Two-Door Top-Load Pet Kennel
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Bottom Line

While the top door is incredibly convenient for loading reluctant cats into the carrier, its attachment bolts do not secure well, leading to numerous reports of door failure and dropped carriers. That’s not good news for owners of heavier cats or traumatized animals. The carrier’s sturdy construction doesn’t make up for a poorly designed top door.

Pros

Two-door access is almost a must for cat carriers, and this one offers left or right side open options as well. Reinforcement screws are included with the product and can make the carrier even more sturdy.

Cons

Not airline approved, as is the case with most top-loading carriers. Assembly is difficult. Reports of the top handle or door popping open when carrying pets above 12 lbs. At least one user said the toggle bolts holding the top door seemed to be barely holding in place, and other users reported top door failure when carrying, which won’t make your cat love you much more.

Catit Design
Cabrio Multi-Functional Carrier System
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Bottom Line

An ergonomic, beautifully designed all-plastic carrier that will impress other humans at the vet’s office. But its airline-approved rating is debatable –better to call the airline first –and many users had trouble with warped parts that were difficult to assemble. If not put together correctly, the entire carrier can fail. Trading function for looks isn’t worth the higher price tag.

Pros

Two-door access to beat the cat-loading blues, and an included food and water dish for longer trips. A seat belt can pass through the upper handle for safer car travel. The carrier is sturdy –if assembled correctly, users note.

Cons

Very difficult to assemble, even though it’s a snap-together. Airlines may not approve it for cargo hold because it doesn’t bolt together. Pets over 12 lbs. will find this a tight fit. And there were multiple reports of the main door simply falling off.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

  • 12 Models Considered
  • 32 Hours Researched
  • 0 Experts Interviewed
  • 115 Consumers Consulted
    • Zero products received from manufacturers.

    We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

    Why trust BestReviews?
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
    The team that worked on this review
    • Devangana
      Devangana
      Web Producer
    • Heather
      Heather
      Chief Content Officer
    • Melissa
      Melissa
      Senior Editor
    • Samantha
      Samantha
      Writer
    ×

    Petmate

    Two Door Top Load Kennel

    Petmate

    Two Door Top Load Kennel

    For local transport to and from the vet, this sturdy carrier is a great buy. Rated for small cats; larger cats in the 15-20 lb. range may also fit this 24” carrier, though some users fretted whether the carrying handle would hold up. But you’ll have to purchase a different carrier for airline travel.
    $39
    ×

    Ferplast

    Atlas 10 Cat and Dog Carrier

    Ferplast

    Atlas 10 Cat and Dog Carrier

    If “you get what you pay for” is the highest praise users can give a cat carrier, it’s probably a good idea to look for a better carrier. Flimsy construction and loose door locks make this a hassle for cat owners and could put cats in a dangerous situation if they escape at the wrong time. At 18 inches long, it’s smaller than most carriers.
    $17
    ×

    AmazonBasics

    Two-Door Top-Load Pet Kennel

    AmazonBasics

    Two-Door Top-Load Pet Kennel

    While the top door is incredibly convenient for loading reluctant cats into the carrier, its attachment bolts do not secure well, leading to numerous reports of door failure and dropped carriers. That’s not good news for owners of heavier cats or traumatized animals. The carrier’s sturdy construction doesn’t make up for a poorly designed top door.
    $27
    ×

    Catit Design

    Cabrio Multi-Functional Carrier System

    Catit Design

    Cabrio Multi-Functional Carrier System

    An ergonomic, beautifully designed all-plastic carrier that will impress other humans at the vet’s office. But its airline-approved rating is debatable –better to call the airline first –and many users had trouble with warped parts that were difficult to assemble. If not put together correctly, the entire carrier can fail. Trading function for looks isn’t worth the higher price tag.
    $52
    ×

    Petmate

    Ultra Vari Kennel

    Petmate

    Ultra Vari Kennel

    Despite a few flaws, this is an acceptable carrier for air cargo shipping, and an extremely sturdy option for transporting cats up to 15 lbs safely to the vet. It’s a good example of why it’s sometimes a good idea to go ahead and pay a lot more for reliability.
    $47

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