Cat carriers may seem like an unimportant part of owning a cat if you do not intend to travel with your cat very much.  This is untrue, however, because even if you only have to take your cat to the vet periodically, ensuring that your cat can travel in comfort as much as possible is very important.  It is very important that you choose a cat carrier that will suit your needs, rather than buying the first one you see.

I have researched many cat carriers, and have chosen the items I believe are the best currently on the market.  If you do a lot of travelling, such as on an aeroplane, you will need your carrier to be substantial, and be one that meets most airlines requirements with regard to transporting live animals.    My favourite cat carrier is the IRIS Medium Deluxe Pet Travel Carrier (available on Amazon) because it is well ventilated, meaning your cat is totally safe during a long journey, and it has a foldable handle meaning it can be handled easily. 

Pets of up to 44 pounds (approx. 20 kilograms) can be transported in the carrier.  It also meets airlines’ requirements with regard to the transportation of live animals.  This carrier is easily my personal choice, especially if you frequently travel in an aeroplane or make several journeys over long distances.

The carrier is very sturdy so you do not need to worry about it being crushed on the flight, and the inside is very spacious so your cat has plenty of room to turn around.  It even comes with a removable food and water bowls.

 

Cat carriers providing medium security for your cat

If you need to travel on an aeroplane, but do not want the IRIS Medium Deluxe Pet Travel Carrier, the GPCT Cat Bag Home Carrier (available on Amazon) is great for your needs because it is approved for use with most major airlines.  It holds animals of up to 14 pounds (approx. 6.5 kilograms).

It has soft sides to provide comfort and security for your cat and has carry handles with velcro closure, making it easy to carry.  It is not as sturdy as the IRIS carrier I recommended earlier, but it does get the job done and is less expensive.  This carrier is recommended for people who wish to take their cat on an aeroplane, but not quite as often.

It is easy to clean and provides a safe and secure environment for your cat during trips.  It has a soft base so your cat can lie comfortably and is well ventilated.  This carrier is also perfect for any car journeys you may have to make.

 

Ordinary cat carriers

Purchasing a cat carrier that you can take on an aeroplane is a good idea, but if you know that you are never going to need to do this, and only want to take your cat on car journeys, the SONGMICS Portable Pet Carrier (available on Amazon) would be perfect for your needs.

It is available in many different sizes to suit all types of cat (or dog!!) you may have.  These carriers are easy to lift and easy to clean – something that is imperative if your cat can become easily scared and urinates when it is inside the carrier.

I love the fact that this carrier is stable once constructed so it provides protection for your cat and even has removable pouches on the side that can be used for storing food and anything else you may have to take with you.

 

Other cat carriers you may want to bear in mind

Another option if you know you only want to take your cat to the vet, but need some security for your cat, is to buy the TRIXIE “Traveller Capri I” Pet Carrier (available on Amazon), which is much smaller and more basic, holding a cat of up to 6 kilograms, but it would be great for short car journeys.

It has a plastic handle in the centre of the carrier, making it easy to handle, and contains vents so that your cat can breathe easily whilst it is in the carrier.  Please be aware, however, that one potential problem with this carrier is that because it is small, your cat may not be able to turn around very easily, especially if it is a bigger cat.

Another carrier you may want to consider is the Pisces Small Pet Travel Carrier (available on Amazon), which is designed for small pets up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms).  It has a handle in the centre, meaning it can be carried easily and is ventilated so that your cat feels as comfortable as possible.

 

Conclusion

There are many good cat carriers on the market, and as tempting as it is to simply go for the first one you see, you must take into consideration what you would need the cat carrier for.  If you were only taking short car journeys to the vet, then buying a cheaper alternative is probably your best option.

If you intend to make long car journeys, however, or take your cat on an aeroplane, purchasing a more expensive carrier is imperative to ensure the safety of your cat during the flight or journey.  The safety of our cats is of paramount importance to all of us.

If you are looking for other items for your beloved cats, I have built other pages where I recommend litter boxes, scratching posts and other products on my recommended gear page.  It is based on the knowledge I have gained after keeping cats for over thirty years.