The best Cat Carriers: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

A friend of mine is traveling with her cat and I was helping her get things done.

1. Get a fit certificate from a certified vet. The vet told me the certificate is only valid for 24 hours and will only be given if all vaccination is done.
   
2. You need a carrying box. She is getting this one: AmazonBasics Two Door Top Load Pet Kennel (23-inch). https://www.amazon.in/dp/B00OP6SVJW/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_50igFb0G584M6
   
3. Please call and check with airlines, the container size, the pet size etc.

If you need more help, I'll check with my friend and let you know.

PS: She is training her cat to be able to stay in the basket as the flight would be minimum 4 hours. This would make sure the cat is habituated to stay in the basket.

Next carrier I get will come from Amazon.. Half the price of what's in the local stores, and free shipping with Prime.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D5FB8GM/ref=dp_iou_view_product_mobile?ie=UTF8&psc=1&th=1 this is what i used to fly my cat from the USA to Canada in 2017. He just had to go under my feet. Just make sure each flight is aware you have the cat as there is a fee for it.

We just got another carrier that’s like a cat tent lol but yea we used leashes, which neither of them liked at all but they started getting use to it after awhile.

Check this Siivton 4 Sides Expandable Pet Carrier, Airline Approved Soft-Sided Dog Cat Carrier Bag with Fleece Pad for Cats, Puppy and Small Animals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P5KDMFF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_3S27FXYGTWQG7NKHTE1V

We have 2 cats and have evacuated with them via car during hurricanes. One lifesaver for us is a collapsible pet crate. Something similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Fit-Life-Collapsible-Portable/dp/B01LYHJBUT/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=collapsible+pet+crate&qid=1610221522&sprefix=collapsible+pet+&sr=8-14

It fits in the backseat, makes them feel secure, and keeps them safe. If we think we might get the evac order (hurricanes are fun!) We set it up in the living room for a couple of days so they can hang out in it and get used to the idea.

Keep them in a carrier, letting them loose in the car is ill-advised especially if your one cat has never been on the car longer than 30 minutes. Some cats may be okay in this scenario, but you know your cat best and better to be safe. They could get loose at a rest stop, get sick in your car, distract you from driving and could be a huge issue in case of accident. We moved 10 hours away with our cats who are anxious in the car and bought basically a large soft cat tent to keep them in in the back seat, this was more open and breathable than a typical carrier to allow them to see us and not feel closed in, and allowed them to be together which brings them both comfort. We also got "kitty xanax" from our vet, they meowed a lot the first two hours and were quiet after that the rest of the drive.

Here's a link to something similar to the kennel we got: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076MD53NT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6moMCbQ3973YF

I use a large carrier like this when traveling with my cats. It takes up most of the backseat when expanded but folds to 15x15 inches. My version came with a foldable litter box (which I usually line with a disposable pan) that velcros in place and still leaves a large enough area for both cats to spread out. I find they're a little calmer in the crate and it keeps them from trying to climb on the dashboard.

I think the other posters are right and that they won't be checking that closely, but if you want to be doubly sure, Sherpa makes a bag that is the closest you'll find.

https://www.amazon.com/Sherpa%C2%AE-Original-DeluxeTM-Airline-Approved/dp/B00063433G/

My bun approves of this one:

Smiling Paws Pets - 17"L x 11"W x 9"H (leak-proof)

https://www.amazon.ca/Smiling-Paws-Pets-Expandable-Collapsible/dp/B07M7C95QS

We have soft carriers that have fold out sides.. my wife took one to Canada in one… something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Siivton-Expandable-Pet-Carrier-Soft-Sided/dp/B08P5KDMFF/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=2OLYZQO3RG3ER&keywords=Soft%2Bpet%2Bcarrier&qid=1659055728&sprefix=soft%2Bpet%2Bcarrier%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-4-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnl...

Although you're right, I don't think you can place it in your lap. The pet needs to be in a carry on style bag and you place them below your legs.

I've used this for my dachshund on like 8 Alaska flights, never had an issue.

https://www.amazon.com/Sherpa-Original-Airline-Approved-Stitching/dp/B07D5FB8GM/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B07D5FB8GM&psc=1

Smiling Paws Pets 4-Way Expandable Airline Approved Soft Sided Pet Carrier, Pet Travel TSA Bag for Cats & Dogs, Collapsible Kennel Pet Travel Bag for Airplane, Car & Train, 17x11x9 L/W/H (XS) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7C95QS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_21CESMQDWT3T34G8WAYJ

I found this one, I think I’m gonna go with it. Reviews look pretty solid

Haha I have a service dog so my car is already decked out in emergency pet safe cleaning supplies 😂 the carrier I was looking at is like this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYHJBUT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_D1Q83EM64176FPHRV1G7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 but sturdiproducts looks great!! I wasn’t sure if that one I was looking at might be too flimsy, but it would probably be a one time use and return if I can (I don’t plan on more long trips). If I end up going alone I definitely won’t be trying to manage a kitten while driving but there’s a chance someone else may split the drive with me so on the way home I would be in the back with the kitten for cuddles :)

For the car ride home we didn't use a crate because we didn't want her first experience with the crate to be a scary one. I just sat in the back seat with her while my husband drove. For vet visits, we used a hard-sided carrier. It's kind of bulky and not easy to carry, but it did the trick when she was little.

Corgi is 24lbs. This is the bag we've used no problem on several fights. I got an XL. She can fully turn around in it closed. Let me know what other questions you have!

Good luck! Just did a three day with a grumpy cat. I got one with a portable liter box in it that was super useful in the hotel room (no accidents). She free roamed the hotel room. I got a double wide carrier the one I'm linking is a single size one as my cat didn't really move after settling down. Had the liter and a small cup of food in there on peepads with her fav blanket. She slept most of the way. Every stop I offered her some water and hit the road again. https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Fit-Life-Collapsible-Portable/dp/B01LYHJBUT/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3UXJKL5V9XMRM&keywords=cat+car+carrier+with+litter+box&qid=1638564860&sprefix=cat+car+carr%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-3

I am getting this one I like how it comes with the litter box and blanket. And then I’m buying a small bed for her to lay in and the feliway pheromone spray.

I have a larger Maltipoo (at least I was told he’s a maltipoo) - he’s 1.5 years old, weighs 21lbs, and has long legs. He’s been on multiple flights in cabin with me and travels really well.

I use a soft shelled carrier from amazon that’s expandable on the sides. He goes under the seat in front of me and Im able to expand the short side down to give him more room (takes away most of my leg room though). He sits/sleeps the whole flight. He’s too tall to stand, but there’s enough room for him to turn around in there.

I bought the carrier a few weeks before our first flight and let him explore/climb in and out on his own. Now if he see’s the carrier out, he chooses to nap in there lol.

Would recommend tiring out your pup a couple hours before your flight if possible. I use calming chews before boarding the flight as well. He usually sleeps through the flight (longest has been 5.5 hours).

Maskeyon Airline Approved Pet Carrier, Large Soft Sided Pet Travel TSA Carrier 4 Sides Expandable Cat Collapsible Carrier with Removable Fleece Pad and Pockets for Cats Dogs and Small Animals

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081P14MJD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TZPMNCZ8Y7RD584HK964

Hi! Yes we did! Thankfully no one measured the bag or anything. The biggest thing was that it could squish under the seat in front us without our pup being squished too. We overall had a great experience with Frontier. We couldn't let him out of the bag but we did leave the top unzipped so he could peek out and look at us when he woke up between naps. The breeder gave us some liquid Benadryl for kids so we gave him a little and that really helped to keep him calm on the flight. Here's a link to the carrier we used:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D5FB8GM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I hope this helps!

Some tips for driving with pets, you can get pet kennels that you can buckle into car seats and hold your pets safely. Amazon has a huge selection like this:

Amazon Pet Kennel

I read this review on Amazon with some great tips for traveling with animals:

'We recently moved from California to Texas, and while we had our personal possessions shipped we took our cat, a spry 18 year-old kitty on our road trip with us. We ordered the carrier early, put a small blanket that smelled like her family in it, and placed it in the sunlight in one of her favorite spots to lay, in place of her bed. In under 3 days she was going in and out of the carrier like it was her bed. We made the trip across the western states from roadside attraction to roadside attraction, and she made the trip with ease.'

Another great tip I read:

'We had harnesses for our cats that had a leash on them that buckled into our back seat. They could move around, had access to food and water and could use their litter box. The vet gave us a mild sedative for our older cat with cat trauma. It really helped her be calm in the beginning (and was pretty cheap to buy, around 30/40$) but by the third day she didn’t even need it and was looking out the window as we drove. We also started taking our cats to the car to eat dinner and hang out in there about a week before leaving'.
Also it's good to harness the pets to the carrier or something similar so they don't bolt out of the car unexpectedly, And for long drives that require overnight stays, there are quite a few hotel chains that accept pets. Red Roof Inn is one, Motel 6 I heard takes pets as well, I know there are more. AirBnB's can also be a great option with pets.

Definitely. It’s soft though so kind of difficult to maneuver them outside of the car. With two people, we were able to move 2 them inside of it up 5 floors and like half a mile of walking. It took up about half of the back row of my Ford Escape. This is the one I used but I’m sure there are similar options. https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Fit-Life-Collapsible-Portable/dp/B01LYHJBUT/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=cat+condo+with+litter+box&qid=1628629983&sprefix=cat+condo+with+litter&sr=8-4

I fly with my throw back. Around 15 1/2 to 16 pounds and I used this carrier:

Maskeyon Airline Approved Pet Carrier, Large Soft Sided Pet Travel TSA Carrier 4 Sides Expandable Cat Collapsible Carrier with Removable Fleece Pad and Pockets for Cats Dogs and Small Animals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081P14MJD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_YC2CKSA49ZKYGT95Z1FS

I flew JetBlue and asked to be seated in any open seats if possible. They let me keep her in the carrier on my lap and she was fine but I had to put her under the seat for take off and landing. Once we were in the air I very discreetly opened the zipped panels to allow her more leg room. She’s a throwback as well and rather tall so she needed the extra room to stretch out. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. I’ve been flying w mine for years and prior to the stupid federal law banning ESAs I used to fly w her in my lap.

I dunno if this is the exact one i have but similar. Just is easier with the soft-sided ones since the seats can be different in each plane. Also gives them extra space out of the plane. https://www.amazon.com/MASKEYON-Approved-Expandable-Collapsible-Removable/dp/B081P14MJD/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2P2YN4WRB9DDP&dchild=1&keywords=pet+carrier+airplane+approved&qid=1625657202&sprefix=pet+carrier+airpl%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-7

Smiling Paws Pets 4-Way Expandable Airline Approved Soft Sided Pet Carrier, Pet Travel TSA Bag for Cats & Dogs, Collapsible Kennel Pet Travel Bag for Airplane, Car & Train, 17x11x9 L/W/H (XS) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7C95QS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_EH9ZBEQWC21Z8WEC2EVH

I have moved long distance a few times with cats.

The thing that worked best was this: I got this soft pen and put it in the back of my car (my seats fold down, but you could just put is on the backseat). https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076MD53NT/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_TJFY9V0J5H04CCRVQKTM

I even had a small Tupperware like container that I used as a litter box inside the pen. It is big enough that the cat is comfortable, and way less scary than a pet carrier.

mazon sells large pet carriers that attach to the backseat, large enough to hold food and even a covered litter box, here are 2 examples:

Amazon Car Seat Kennel

Amazon Car Seat Kennel 2

I read this review on Amazon with some great tips for traveling with animals:

'We recently moved from California to Texas, and while we had our personal possessions shipped we took our cat, a spry 18 year-old kitty on our road trip with us. We ordered the carrier early, put a small blanket that smelled like her family in it, and placed it in the sunlight in one of her favorite spots to lay, in place of her bed. In under 3 days she was going in and out of the carrier like it was her bed. We made the trip across the western states from roadside attraction to roadside attraction, and she made the trip with ease.'

Another great tip I read:

'We had harnesses for our cats that had a leash on them that buckled into our back seat. They could move around, had access to food and water and could use their litter box. The vet gave us a mild sedative for our older cat with cat trauma. It really helped her be calm in the beginning (and was pretty cheap to buy, around 30/40$) but by the third day she didn’t even need it and was looking out the window as we drove. We also started taking our cats to the car to eat dinner and hang out in there about a week before leaving.

And for long drives that require overnight stays, there are quite a few hotel chains that accept pets. Red Roof Inn is one, Motel 6 I heard takes pets as well, I know there are more. AirBnB's can also be a great option with pets.

I sort of have a plan. I bought this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076MD53NT/ and I leave it out at home with the doors all folded open. So the cats do not see it as a carrier, but as a toy. They hang out inside it all the time.

So if we do have to evacuate the house, it should be easier to get them into this carrier instead of the regular carrier.

Amazon sells large pet carriers that attach to the backseat, large enough to hold food and even a covered litter box.

Amazon Car Seat Kennel

Amazon Car Seat Kennel 2

I read this review on Amazon with some great tips for traveling with animals:

'We recently moved from California to Texas, and while we had our personal possessions shipped we took our cat, a spry 18 year-old kitty on our road trip with us. We ordered the carrier early, put a small blanket that smelled like her family in it, and placed it in the sunlight in one of her favorite spots to lay, in place of her bed. In under 3 days she was going in and out of the carrier like it was her bed. We made the trip across the western states from roadside attraction to roadside attraction, and she made the trip with ease.'

Another great tip I read:

'We had harnesses for our cats that had a leash on them that buckled into our back seat. They could move around, had access to food and water and could use their litter box. The vet gave us a mild sedative for our older cat with cat trauma. It really helped her be calm in the beginning (and was pretty cheap to buy, around 30/40$) but by the third day she didn’t even need it and was looking out the window as we drove. We also started taking our cats to the car to eat dinner and hang out in there about a week before leaving.

And for long drives that require overnight stays, there are quite a few hotel chains that accept pets. Red Roof Inn is one, Motel 6 I heard takes pets as well, I know there are more. AirBnB's can also be a great option with pets.

SportPet Designs Large Pop Open Kennel, Portable Cat Cage Kennel, Waterproof Pet bed, Carrier Collection https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076MD53NT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_HSN5DF7GMcRlP

I’ll let you know how it is!