Things to Consider Before Buying a Cat Carrier

Hard-sided vs. Soft-sided

There are two standard options for traditional cat carriers: hard-sided and soft-sided. Both have their pros and cons, so it’s important to figure out which type of carrier is best for you and your cat before purchasing one. Dr. Tu tells PEOPLE that she prefers hard kennel carriers that are sturdy and stable. The downside to hard-sided carriers is that they often take up more storage space than soft-sided carriers, which can be compressed down.

Soft-sided carriers might not be as sturdy as hard ones and can usually be more easily clawed through by nervous cats than hard carriers. Both hard and soft carriers can be safe for your pet, and Dr. Tu recommends checking out the Center for Pet Safety test result center to find a carrier that has been crash-tested and certified safe, like the Away Pet Carrier.

Entry Points

One common use for cat carriers is transporting a feline friend to the vet, which can be a nerve-wracking experience for anxious cats. For this reason, Dr. Tu recommends choosing a carrier that has both a front and top entry option because once the top is opened by the vet, “the cat is able to sit in the bottom of the carrier and still be associated with an area they feel comfortable in when they meet someone new.” This can help your cat feel safe and comfortable, even in stressful situations. The Petmate Two-Door Small Dog Kennel & Cat Kennel is one of our favorite carriers with two entry options.

Weight Limit

Cats come in a variety of sizes and weights, so it’s important to check the weight limit of any carrier that you choose before putting your cat inside. Generally, carriers can hold cats that are anywhere between 10 and 50 pounds, so make sure that you choose one that can safely hold your cat’s weight.

How We Tested Cat Carriers

To find the best cat carriers to help your cat feel safe and comfortable, we tested 31 of the best-selling options in our PEOPLE testing labs and took them home to test in the real world with our own cats. We began by assembling each carrier and making note of how difficult it was to put together straight out of the box. We inspected every visual aspect of the carrier, including zippers, doors, fasteners, and storage compartments. We then allowed our cats to approach the cat carriers, letting them interact with the carriers for up to an hour.

Once our cats were somewhat comfortable with the carriers, we put our cats into the carriers for five minutes, noting how they reacted by observing their body language. If the cats resisted the cat carrier, we did not force them into it. We then picked up the carrier with our cats inside and walked around for 10 minutes, testing all of the handles and straps to ensure that they felt safe and sturdy. We continued to test the carriers over a two-week period in our homes, using the carriers to transport our cats for as long as they felt comfortable inside them. We finished by rating each carrier on a scale of 1 to 5 for each of the following attributes: performance, portability, quality, and value. In the end, our results led us to determine the 8 best cat carriers.

Why Trust Us

Cai Cramer is a staff writer on the commerce team at PEOPLE. Cai currently fosters two adorable cats and has been a lifelong animal lover. To inform this story, Cai spoke with Dr. Andrea Tu, Medical Director of Behavior Vets of New York & Resident of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, to discuss what to look for (and what to avoid) in a pet carrier. Cai also relied on the results of real-world testers who tried the most popular cat carriers with their own cats. We took careful notes on each product’s design, sturdiness, and ease-of-carry, as well as our cat’s comfort level and behavior while inside the carrier.

What Is People Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.