Choosing the Best Cat Carrier

With so many options on the market today as far as cat products go, choosing the best cat carrier can prove to be rather challenging. There are several different styles of cat carriers to pick from. After writing about why you need to take your cat to the vet in a carrier, I thought it might be helpful if I shared some of the best cat carrier styles available.

The most important thing to remember when choosing a carrier for your cat is to pick something that suits your needs and your price range. Here are some of the best cat carrier styles to choose from.

Soft Carriers

These carriers are nice for a few reasons. They aren't bulky or heavy which makes them easy to carry. They also usually come with a shoulder strap which is also great for easy transport. Since soft cat carriers aren't bulky, they are easier to store and take up less space. They usually have plenty of openings, which can make removing a cat easier.

Soft cat carrier.
Photo via greekgeek

Some of the downsides of soft cat carriers is that they may be harder to clean if soiled. They typically have less space than other carriers also.

Hard Plastic Cat Carriers

These are probably on of the most popular types of cat crates out there. If you plan on purchasing a hard plastic cat carrier, I'd recommend getting one that comes apart. Preferably one without screws. This comes in handy at the vet's office for scared kitties. It's easy to snap the lid off and remove the cat safely. Putting them back together is usually a cinch too.

Hard plastic cat carrier.
Photo via quinn.anya

One of my personal favorites are the kinds that have a "sun roof" so to speak. You can open the top easily and reach in to remove a cat. It's usually pretty easy putting them in their crate too.

These may not be the best cat carriers because they are bulky and take up a lot of room. They are not as easy to carry around, but they do get the job done. 

Suitcase Style Cat Carriers

I don't see this style much, but I really like it! (The above image is an affiliate link - clicking it will give you the option to purchase it on Amazon.com.) They look like suitcases with mesh on the sides and front so the cat can see what's going on around them. You can roll the carrier around rather than carrying it. These are great for people who can't really carry or lift heavy things.

They look like they'd be a little hard to clean, however. They are also a little large if you're worried about space. 

So, Which Style is the Best Cat Carrier?

I think they are all great options, personally. Some features I would stay away from are hard carriers that screw together. Those are a quite a hassle. One feature you definitely want in a cat carrier is one that can open from above. I find that this style is easiest for putting a cat in and removing a cat from a carrier.

Cat carrier with a "sun roof" style opening at the top.
Photo via ewen and donabel

What do you think the best cat carrier style is? I'd love to hear if you have any other recommendations besides these! 

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