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Cats can be difficult traveling partners, but preparing them for a road trip and choosing the best cat carrier can make a car trip with your cat much easier. At the very least, a cat carrier for car travel should be comfortable, secure, and safe.
Some cat carriers even include seatbelt attachment points or have proven crash test certifications from non-profit organizations like the Center for Pet Safety, including our favorite cat carrier for the car, the Tavo Pets Maeve Car Seat.
“Carriers should be sturdy with multiple ways to access the cat,” says Elizabeth Czerwonky, DVM, a veterinarian at the VCA Cat Hospital of Chicago. “When not in use for transport, we recommend keeping the carrier or carrier bottom half in the environment as another resting space.”
To find the best cat carrier for car travel, we tested more than 40 highly rated and bestselling pet carriers in real-world conditions, and 5 carriers came out on top.
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The Tavo Pets Maeve Car Seat is truly a wonder. It can be used just as a carrier, where the bottom can be fitted with a fluffy pad that’s easily removed for cleaning, and the outer rim is fitted with a memory foam that’s comfortable and durable in a crash. Throughout testing, we didn’t bother putting it away when we weren’t traveling because our tester cat (Lola) replaced her old Amazon box bed with the Maeve.
When it was time to go, the Maeve shone even brighter. We could get two cats in from either side of the carrier, taking advantage of two magnetic buckles that keep the top secure. The hoods are see-through, offering a breathable mesh that lets our cats see. When we finally wrestled our cats inside, the locking handle, covered in leather, was easy to hold securely without fear of breaking.
While it might be a bit pricey and heavier than some, the car seat requires no alterations to most cars, locking into parts of the seat designed for child seats. All you need to do is place the adjustable foot on the floor of your car and then lock the two prongs into your vehicle’s lower anchor bars. You’ll know they are locked in when you see icons on the bar go from red to green. Then place the carrier sideways onto the bar, earning yourself another green icon when it’s locked in place. There’s an extra piece designed to protect the side panel that you can hook right onto the exterior.
Dimensions: 31.7 x 18.4 x 23.8 inches | Materials: EPP foam, fabric, vegan leather, metal | Weight: 10 pounds | Colors: Black
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Our favorite soft-sided carrier, the Petseek Extra Large Cat Carrier, is an all-around great carrier, though it lacks the car safety features of others on the list. As the name suggests, this is a very roomy carrier with a rigid steel frame and a 55-pound weight limit. Our tester used the carrier with two large cats and said, “This is my favorite cat carrier by far.” Although it’s a bit large and can be hard to carry, it’s even collapsible for easy storage.
In addition to the safety tether inside of the carrier, the Petseek has seatbelt loops which allow you to secure a seatbelt across the “waist” of the carrier, belting it securely in place on your back seat.
The Petseek cat carrier has three doors, with access from the front, top, and side. The mesh screen side panels can be rolled up, allowing you to leave the carrier open and accessible to your cat. The fleece liner inside is removable and can be machine-washed.
Dimensions: 24 x 16.5 x 16 inches | Materials: Polyester, nylon mesh, steel frame | Weight: 6.4 pounds
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What We Like
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Made to collapse
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Sturdy material
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Lightweight
Lugging around a heavy car seat for your cat can be a real strain, so you may want to try this option from Pidan. In its backpack form, it’s under five pounds and comfortable enough with padded straps and the back padding giving just enough cushion. And when it’s time for a car ride, it’s expandable, folding up with an extra eight inches of space. The mostly mesh and polyester finish isn’t the most scratch-resistant, with our testing kitty making some marks, though the carrier kept its form and didn’t form any holes. A small litter box is included with the carrier, which is a must for long journeys with your feline pal.
Dimensions: 15 x 15.0 x 23.2 inches (expanded) | Materials: Neoprene fabric | Weight: 4.8 pounds
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Tavo creates fantastic carriers, and their Dupree option is a perfect example. The high-quality, sturdy carrier offers enough room for small dogs or cats to lounge about and turn around on the hard plastic bottom covered in a soft fabric. On top, there are two handles, while the carrier itself can be opened from the front. It can also attach to a car seat, hooking its straps onto the metal hooks designed for baby carriers. It’s also stylishly designed, offering a quality bag that wouldn’t look out of place in your average luggage carousel. While the walls are more bendable than the bottom, they can still fit under seats for long airplane or train rides.
Dimensions: 18.5 x 11.5 x 10.3 inches | Materials: Plush, vegan leather | Weight: 5 to 5.5 pounds
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What We Like
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Divider between can be removed for one extra-large space
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Folds down into included carrying case
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Carriers can be used separately
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Comes with stakes for securing to ground
The One for Pets Portable 2-in-1 carrier lets you transport two (or more) cats while keeping them separate. The dual carriers can be used separately or together, and each has zippable door panels on the front and sides. You can even unzip the dividers between carriers and use the two in combination to form one large interior space.
The zippered mesh doors have velcro attachment points on top, so you can roll them up and leave the portable kennel open and accessible. The double carrier even comes with plastic pegs that you can use to stake the whole assemblage down to the ground on outdoor outings.
However, as our tester noted, the unstructured and saggy bottom on the One for Pets carriers is awkward to carry (and cats will dislike the unsteady footing while you’re carrying them in it), making this much more appropriate for dedicated car travel. Not to mention, there are no safety certifications with this carrier. The included seat belt loops let you affix this carrier to a backseat and provide lots of room for your cats while traveling.
Dimensions: 39 x 20 x 20 inches (both compartments zipped together) | Materials: Polyester, nylon mesh | Weight: 7.55 pounds | Colors: Black
Final Verdict
Our best overall choice is the Tavo Pets Maeve Car Seat, which offers durability and strength even in the bumpiest of conditions. Though it is a bit pricey and heavy, you get a carrier that you know will keep your cat safe and secure. If you want something a little more portable, the Pidan Expandable Travel Habitat Carrier is a great pick since it can be used as a backpack as well as a travel fort.
How We Tested
We selected six car seats and tested them in multiple categories, including design, quality, and portability. Each product was tested for multiple days with one of our tester’s cherished pets to make sure that it holds up to scrutiny. Equipped with this first-hand knowledge, we ranked and categorized our top picks to meet the needs of any cat parent. All of our recommendations are safe for travel and can be trusted when used properly.
Buckling Up Your Cat for Travel
Most pet carriers need to be secured, especially if they’ll be placed in the backseat by themselves. According to Dr. Czerwonky, cats should never be let out of their carrier or left in the car alone since they could cause themselves harm. Look for carriers with specialized straps for securing the waist belt of a standard car seatbelt across the side of the carrier. Some carriers also advise threading the diagonal shoulder strap through the top straps on the carrier, while others instruct users to loop the carrier’s shoulder strap behind the headrest for additional security.
The Spruce Pets / Sarah Elder
Ventilation
Most pet carriers come with multiple holes for ventilation on the sides or top. It’s important when traveling not to completely block them off since that air flow is crucial for comfort and safety. On car rides, especially longer ones, cats need to feel safe and taken care of, or else neither of you will have a good travel experience.
FAQ
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Should I put a sheet or blanket over my cat’s carrier while in the car?
“We recommend a towel or light blanket over the carrier to prevent overstimulation by the surroundings,” Dr. Czerwonky told The Spruce Pets.
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How do I keep my cat calm in a cat carrier?
There are other methods for preparing your cat for car travel, but the best way to calm your cat for travel is to acclimate them in advance. Make sure to keep your cat carrier out, either all the time or for several days ahead of travel. This way, your cat can explore the carrier’s interior and get used to it outside of stressful travel conditions.
Also, check out our roundup of the best calming aids for cats.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets
This article was written by Steven Asarch, a writer and product expert for The Spruce Pets. A devout cat dad of two, he understands how to take care of felines in enclosed spaces (like an apartment) for long periods. In his search for the best car carriers, Steven prioritized practicality, durability, and safety. To get the best understanding of what makes a great cat carrier for travel, he spoke with Dr. Elizabeth Czerwonky, a veterinarian at the VCA Cat Hospital of Chicago.
Steven has also researched the best treadmills, specialized cat foods, litter box furniture, and even the best Tamagotchi.
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