8 Best Cat Carriers for Large Cats in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Taking your large cat to the vet or on a trip on an airplane can be a stressful enough experience as it is. Add into the mix that your larger-than-life cat may well be uncomfortable in some of the smaller carriers and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

Instead – take the time to invest in a carrier designed to accommodate your chunky cat in comfort and you can look forward to helping them enjoy their trip in comfort. Cat carriers designed for large cats will be roomier than your average carrier, meaning your cat will be less stressed.

There’s a huge variety of cat carriers out there, so it can be difficult to search through them all to find the best one to suit your cat. Don’t panic though – that’s what we’re here for! Our reviews included testing a range of the best cat carriers for large cats and we’ve rounded up 8 of our favorites right here.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

The 8 Best Cat Carriers for Large Cats

1. AmazonBasics Top-Load Travel Carrier – Best Overall

The top-loading design of this AmazonBasics cat carrier is excellent for making easy work of getting your cat in the carrier – simply open the top and place her in the carrier. No more battling with large cats and small doors! This carrier measures 23” x 15” x 13” which gives your chunky cat plenty of room to lie down, turn around, and stand up comfortably.

There’s also a door on one side, so you can easily open this to place food or drink inside the carrier. Both doors can be opened with one hand, thanks to the spring-loaded latches which can be pinched together to open and close the door. If you’re looking for a secure and functional carrier to keep your cat safe, you can’t do better than this.

To conclude, we think this is the overall best cat carrier for large cats available.

2. ScratchMe Pet Travel Carrier – Best Value

After our extensive reviews, we recommend the ScratchMe Pet Travel Carrier as the best cat carrier for a large cat for the money. This is a soft-sided carrier, which means it costs significantly less than those made of rigid plastic. It measures 17” x 12” x 12”. This carrier has plenty of great features that make it excellent value for money. These include a firm base plate to provide stability and comfort for your cat and a washable liner.

The mesh sides on this large cat carrier offer excellent ventilation for warmer climates, while the supportive flexible wire structure around the sides means this carrier will maintain its shape. This carrier is also airline-approved, so if you need to take a trip with your car, this is an excellent choice.

3. PETKIT Cat Backpack Carrier – Premium Choice

Our Premium Choice is the PETKIT Cat Backpack Carrier. Packed full of features you won’t see on many other carriers, this is both fun and functional. There’s a window giving your cat a wide field of vision to watch the world go by, but this has thoughtfully been tinted a dark brown to decrease environmental stimulus. The PETKIT carrier also offers amazing ventilation thanks to the mini fan which provides air circulation.

If you’re traveling at night, simply flick on the inbuilt lamp so your cat can see the world in style! The ergonomic design makes this carrier very comfortable to wear on your back too. There’s a detachable pad in the base to keep your cat comfy. The backpack measures 13” x 12” x 18”. While we think this is an excellent and fun backpack-style carrier at the premium end of the market, it’s not quite as practical as our first 2 picks.

4. Akinerri Airline Approved Pet Carrier

This soft-sided carrier by Akinerri is airline-approved making it great for taking your cat through airports. It can be secured to a seat in either a plane or car by sliding a seatbelt through the carry straps on the sides. You can also place it securely on the top of your wheeling suitcase using the broad strap on one side. This carrier measures 17.7” x 12” x 12”.

The self-locking zippers mean your cat won’t be able to open this large cat carrier from the inside, and the washable fleece liner will keep them cozy while traveling. With two entrances, you can choose to place your cat in via the top-loading panel, or the side door.

5. Sherpa Travel Airline Approved Pet Carrier

This airline-approved cat carrier from Sherpa is perfect for traveling with your cat in style. It measures 16” x 11” x 10” and is perfect for cats up to 16 pounds. The faux lambskin liner is machine washable and nicely padded to keep your cat comfortable. The wire spring frame means this carrier will give your cat lots of space but is also designed to be pushed down slightly so this can fit under plane seats.

The top and side-entry doors make it easy to pop your cat in this carrier, as well as add anything they need while traveling like fresh food and water. There’s also a handy pocket so you can store treats and toys in one place.

6. Pawkin Pet Travel Carrier

This soft carrier from Pawkin is perfect for using as a carry-on baggage with airlines. It measures 16” x 9.5” x 11” and includes a super soft fleece bed inside – which is much more substantial than many of the other carriers we reviewed. This carrier has multiple pockets for storing your cat’s belongings, as well as straps that allow you to securely buckle it in a car or plane.

The base is extra-strong, and the mesh is designed to be tear-resistant. There’s a small mesh window to one side which is perfect for petting your cat or feeding them treats safely, as it’s too small for them to escape through.

7. petsifam Pet Carrier

This carrier by petisfam is perfect for keeping your larger cat securely enclosed on trips. The locking zippers are designed to be escape-proof, but there’s also a leash attachment inside for extra security. This carrier has a great field of vision for your cat, with mesh on all sides including the top. The sturdy base is covered by a cozy and washable fleece pad for extra comfort.

This carrier measures 17” x 12” x 12” so your cat can lie down in comfort. You can secure this carrier to the seatbelt in your car using the shoulder strap as well as passing the belt through the carry straps.

8. Living Express Soft-Sided Pet Carrier

This soft-sided carrier from Living Express has side straps and buckles to make attaching this to a seat or suitcase quick and easy. The top and side doors mean it’s super easy to pop your large cat in this carrier using whichever entrance they prefer. The soft fleece liner on the base is machine washable for extra convenience.

This airline-approved carrier measures 19.5” x 12” x 13” and should allow your cat to lie down with ease. It has a maximum weight limit of 20 pounds. The no-tear mesh used for the ventilated panels is designed to be sturdy enough to resist tearing.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Carrier for Large Cats

Cat carriers are an essential item for any cat parent. From emergency vet trips to road trips with your feline buddy, you want to make sure they’re traveling in comfort. There’s plenty to consider when selecting the best carrier for your cat’s needs. So let’s go through a few of those considerations now.

What’s the difference between hard and soft carriers?

Hard cat carriers are made from rigid plastic and have wire mesh or plastic doors. They’ve very robust and generally accepted to be the safest way to transport your cat because it’s much less likely that they can escape. They’re heavy though and are sometimes too big to be accepted as an airline carry-on.

Soft carriers look similar to a hold-all bag but have mesh sections for ventilation and so your cat can see out. Many soft carriers are approved for airline carry-on and can also be safely secured to the seats of airplanes and cars. The soft mesh sides are not always robust enough to stand up to a determined cat’s scratching and chewing though.

Backpack carriers are another option – which allows you to carry your cat on your back. These often have a rigid front section with a softer fabric back. They’re great for short trips or even if you want to take your cat for a walk but they’re usually not big enough to allow your large cat to lie down.

Should I buy a hard or soft carrier?

This depends on your personal preference as well as that of your cat!

While hard carriers are more secure, they’re difficult to store when not in use and can’t be taken onboard planes. Some cats prefer the security of being within a hard carrier when traveling.

Soft carriers are excellent for airplane trips, as many of them are approved for use in the cabin of the plane. They’re easy to travel with and fold flat for storage when not in use.

Ultimately, it’s best to try both if possible! You might be able to borrow one of each from a friend before investing in one yourself. We like to use each of these types of carriers for different purposes (and cats!) so have a couple of each both hard and soft.

Important things to consider

How to measure your cat for a cat carrier

Checking a carrier is big enough for your cat is always important but even more so when you have a large breed. You want to be sure that any carrier you decide to buy is going to be big enough for them to lie down in as well as be able to turn around. While some carriers will be tall enough for your cat to stand up, most cats seem to prefer to travel lying down!

You’ll need a tape measure to take the following measurements of your cat:

It’s also useful to know their weight as many carriers have a weight limit. If you can’t weigh your cat at home most veterinarians will do this for you at your cat’s regular check-up.

Compare your cat’s measurements to the dimensions provided for each carrier you’re interested in and check that they can comfortably accommodate your cat.

Conclusion

After looking at some of the most popular cat carriers for large cats available on the market today, we found the Best Overall to be the AmazonBasics Top-Load Travel Carrier. This hard carrier offers plenty of space for your large cat, as well as a top-loading door which is unusual to see on hard carriers.

As the Best Value cat carrier for large cats, we recommend the ScratchMe Pet Travel Carrier. This soft carrier offers a great combination of value for money and a range of features which means your cat is going to feel comfortable and safe.

We’re sure that out of the 7 different carriers included in our reviews, you’ll find something that’s going to suit your large cat perfectly.

As cat parents, we always put the comfort of our cats first and foremost – and that’s only right! So by taking the time to choose the best carrier for your chunky cat you can make sure that future journeys are going to be as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

• Still undecided? Try one of these Best Overall Cat Carriers

Featured Image: AmazonBasics 6009-S Top-Load Travel Carrier, Amazon