The carrier you choose has a measurable effect on how stressed your cat is during travel — and how much they resist getting into it the next time. A carrier that's too small, too dark, too unstable, or too difficult to enter creates a cat that runs under the bed the moment it appears. The right carrier, kept out as part of the furniture and introduced gradually as a neutral space, becomes something a cat will walk into voluntarily. This guide covers the ten best cat carriers across different use cases — vet visits, air travel, road trips, and daily commutes — with context on what makes each option suited to specific situations.
Making the Carrier a Neutral Object (Before You Need It)
The most important carrier advice has nothing to do with the carrier itself: keep it out permanently. A carrier stored in a closet and only brought out before vet visits becomes associated exclusively with stressful events. A carrier left open in a room your cat uses regularly, with a familiar blanket inside and occasional treats placed inside, becomes just another piece of furniture — neutral, unimportant, sometimes useful as a napping spot.
Once your cat is comfortable entering the open carrier voluntarily, practice closing the door briefly, then reopening it. Extend the closed period gradually over days. By the time you need to travel, loading the cat is a non-event rather than a chase-and-wrestle session. This single habit eliminates more carrier-related stress than any product feature can.
Top 10 Cat Carriers
Here are the top 10 cat carriers for travel and vet visits:
Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Kennel
This carrier is made with recycled materials and is perfect for small dogs and cats up to 15 pounds. It has two doors for easy access, a secure top handle, and ventilation holes for airflow.
Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Carrier
This carrier is a bit larger than the previous one and can accommodate pets up to 20 pounds. It also has two doors, a secure top handle, and ventilation holes.
Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Airline Approved Carrier
This carrier is specifically designed to meet airline regulations. It is made with durable materials and has a comfortable padded bottom.
Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Carrier
This carrier is made with a durable hard plastic shell that provides extra protection for your pet. It also has two doors and ventilation holes.
Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Soft-Sided Carrier
This carrier is made with a soft, comfortable fabric that is perfect for cats who are not used to traveling in carriers. It also has two doors and ventilation holes.
Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Deluxe Carrier
This carrier is the most expensive on the list, but it also has the most features. It has two doors, ventilation holes, a secure top handle, and a removable padded bottom.
Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Folding Carrier
This carrier is perfect for travel because it folds flat for easy storage. It also has two doors and ventilation holes.
Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Backpack Carrier
This carrier is a great option for hands-free travel. It has two doors, ventilation holes, and a comfortable padded backpack.
Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Car Seat Carrier
This carrier is designed to be used in the car. It has two doors, ventilation holes, and a secure seatbelt attachment.
Petmate Two-Door Top-Load Playpen Carrier
This carrier is perfect for cats who need more space to move around. It has two doors, ventilation holes, and a removable playpen floor.
What to Look For in a Cat Carrier
Size: The carrier should be large enough for your cat to stand, turn around, and lie down. A carrier that's too large provides less security — cats feel more settled in a snug space during transport. The rule of thumb: carrier length should be 1.5 times your cat's body length (not counting the tail).
Top-loading vs. front-loading: Top-loading is significantly easier for loading a reluctant cat. You lower the cat in vertically rather than pushing it through horizontally against resistance. Carriers with both a top and front door give you flexibility — front access for the cat to exit voluntarily, top access for loading.
Hard-sided vs. soft-sided: Hard-sided carriers are more durable, easier to clean, and provide more structural protection — required for airline cargo and better for road trips where the carrier may shift. Soft-sided carriers are lighter, fit under airline seats, and are often easier to store. For vet visits, either works; for air travel, confirm airline requirements before purchasing.
Airline requirements: Cabin carriers must fit under the seat in front of you — typically around 18" x 11" x 11" but check your specific airline. Cargo carriers must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) requirements. The Petmate Sky Kennel and similar IATA-compliant hard carriers are marked accordingly.
Reducing Carrier Stress with Feliway
Spray Feliway Classic inside the carrier 30 minutes before travel — enough time for the alcohol carrier to evaporate and leave the calming pheromone. This significantly reduces stress behaviors (vocalization, panting, excessive grooming) during transport. It's available at Chewy, Petco, and most vet clinics. Don't spray it while the cat is inside — the spray itself is startling. Also place a worn T-shirt or familiar blanket inside; familiar scent is one of the most effective calming tools available.
Frequently Asked Questions
My cat absolutely refuses to go in the carrier. What do I do?
Start from scratch with the carrier as a piece of furniture. Remove the door entirely, place it in a room the cat uses, and put a familiar blanket inside. Feed treats inside it daily without closing it. Once the cat enters voluntarily, reattach the door and practice very brief closures with immediate release and high-value treats. Most cats can be made carrier-comfortable within 2–4 weeks of this approach — done well in advance of any planned travel.
Can I use a carrier to transport two cats?
Only if they are closely bonded and calm together. Even bonded cats under the stress of travel may redirect aggression onto each other. When in doubt, use separate carriers. For multi-cat vet visits, cover each carrier with a light cloth — visual isolation reduces inter-cat tension significantly in the waiting room.
Do cats need water during travel?
For trips under 6 hours, most healthy cats do not need water en route — stress suppresses thirst and eating during transport anyway. Offer water immediately upon arrival. For longer trips, offer water at rest stops with the carrier in a secure, temperature-controlled environment. Never leave a cat in a parked car in warm weather.
Is a hard or soft carrier better for vet visits?
Either works. Hard carriers have an advantage at vet clinics: many vets examine fearful cats inside the carrier with just the top half removed, which is only possible with a hard carrier that separates at the seam. If your cat is particularly anxious at the vet, mention this when booking — many clinics now offer fear-free handling protocols and can advise on carrier type.
Final Thoughts
The best carrier is the one your cat will enter without a battle. Size, access type, and material matter, but the carrier training habit — keeping it out as a neutral object year-round — matters more than any of those features. For reducing travel and veterinary anxiety at the behavioral level, see our guide on handling a difficult cat and the complete cat care library.
