Whether you’re heading to the vet or planning a trip away and want to take your feline friend with you, a good cat carrier is essential. Soft bags are suitable for docile cats that are happy to be transported in this kind of way, but more resistant cats that are prone to scratching will need a hard carrier.
Size also matters. Give a cat too much space and they are more likely to bang against the sides and cause injuries, but if you don’t provide enough room, they will be uncomfortable and may refuse to get in. And, if you’re taking your cat on a plane, you will need to choose the best airline-approved cat carrier to ensure it meets sizing guidelines while also being secure and safe.
Fortunately, there are many options available, even including wicker baskets and space capsule designs. To help you find the best cat carrier in the UK for your needs, you can find reviews of 10 of the best below, as well as a guide to help you determine which is the right option for you and your cat.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favourites (2023 Update)
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Product
Details
Best Overall
Morpilot Pet Carrier Bag
Can be carried over the shoulder
Includes a removable cushioned base and a travel bowl
The Morpilot Pet Carrier Bag is classed as a medium-sized soft carrier bag. It has a firm bottom and soft sides with breathable mesh panels on the top and sides. You can use the top or front panel as the entrance, depending on what you find easier, and the bag can be slung over the shoulder and comes with a shoulder carrying strap. Shoulder carrying is especially beneficial if you have to walk to the vet because it makes it easier to carry the load. The carrier also comes with a removable and washable cushioned base, and a folding water and food bowl, which is useful for longer trips.
Priced reasonably, this bag is sized for smaller adult cats and kittens. The inclusion of a cushion and base is a nice touch, and the bag looks attractive, making it our choice as the overall best cat carrier in the UK and the best airline-approved cat carrier.
However, you might struggle to get larger cats in it, but there is a larger bag available, too. The mesh also won’t withstand cat claws, so if your cat tends to dry and scratch its way out of a difficult situation, you may need a hard basket instead.
Pros
Can be carried over the shoulder
Includes a removable cushioned base and a travel bowl
The best cat carrier in the UK for the money is the Amazon Basics Pet Carrier Bag. This soft bag is made from polyester and has a fleece-lined base. It comes with standard carrying handles so you can carry it by hand and also includes an adjustable shoulder strap to ease the load.
Its dimensions and 16-pound weight capacity mean that it is suitable for all but the biggest cats, but there are different sizes, so ensure you get the right one. The carrier has mesh panels around the whole bag, giving your cat plenty of fresh air and also allowing them to see out. It is very reasonably priced, especially for a bag of this size, and it offers top or front loading to accommodate your cat’s preferences. Despite being quite large, Amazon claims that it conforms to most airline under-seat dimensions and is suitable for flying, although you should check with your airline before turning up.
The carrier bag is best suited to calm cats because the mesh panels are easily destroyed by frantic, scratching cats, and you do need to check the size of your cat and ensure that you get an appropriately sized model—don’t just rely on the weight capacity guide.
Pros
Mesh panels allow fresh air to circulate and your cat to see out
Adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry
Affordable
Cons
Mesh is easily scratched
3. Lemonda Portable Pet Travel Carrier Space Capsule – Premium Choice
The Lemonda Portable Pet Travel Carrier Space Capsule is a backpack carrier with shoulder straps. It is a space capsule design, which means that it effectively has a portable window at the back, enabling the occupant to see out of the carrier and watch what is going on.
The pack comes with a mesh cover and a semi-sphere transparent cover. The transparent cover has air holes to allow air in, but avoid taking your cat out in hot conditions because the inside of the bag will get hot quickly, and even the mesh cover won’t allow enough air in. A velvet pad is included and sits on the base of the carrier to give a little extra padding. This can be removed and washed for convenience.
The Lemonda Portable Pet Travel Carrier Space Capsule is a somewhat quirky design that owners will either love or hate, but it is also a convenient backpack that makes it easy to carry your cat.
Pros
Portal window lets your cat watch the outside world
Backpack design is easy to carry
Velvet pad offers a little extra cushioning on the base
The DentJet Pet Travel Carrier is a small carrier bag with an adjustable shoulder strap and standard carry handles. It has a mesh top and mesh front and can be opened at either of these panels to allow preferred entrance and exit options. The manufacturer claims the bag is water resistant and it comes with a detachable mat, which is easier to remove and clean than trying to clean the base of the bag when it gets dirty. The bag also has an outer pocket, which can be used to carry small cat belongings or your own personal belongings.
This is a cheap pet travel carrier, but it is also very small, so while it is a budget-friendly option for kitten owners, it won’t be large enough for adult cats and you will need to replace it over time.
Pros
Lightweight design makes it easy to carry
External pocket is convenient for storage
Low price
Cons
Very small
5. Petsfit Cat Carrier Large Expandable Cat Carrier
The Petsfit Cat Carrier Large Expandable Cat Carrier is a soft cat carrier bag made from melange cloth, which Petsfit claims is scratch resistant and durable. The bag is said to be big and sturdy enough to hold cats up to 8 pounds in weight, which means that it won’t be suitable for large adult cats. When closed, the carrier conforms to airline size requirements, meaning it can be used to transport your cat on flights. One side of the bag can be folded out so that it offers more internal space when stationary, which is beneficial for holidays or when taking a break on a longer journey. A storage pocket can hold cat supplies or other items.
The Petsfit carrier is expensive and, considering the average adult cat weighs around 10 pounds, it means that most owners will need the large carrier that costs more. As long as you buy the right size carrier for your cat, though, it is spacious enough and the foldable side is a handy feature that provides even more comfort. It also comes with a removable plush mat.
The Rosewood Vision Classic 60 is a traditional hard plastic cat carrier. It has a detachable top half and a detachable door that can open to the left or right and is used as an entrance and exit for your cat. Slats down the sides and the doors provide adequate ventilation, and the hard design of the carrier is usually preferred for cats that are resistant to carriers.
They won’t be able to easily force their way out, and it will be easier to help a cat into a carrier with rigid sides, like this one. The box is a good size, and because it’s made from rigid plastic, it can hold the weight of pretty much any adult cat.
It is also reasonably priced, but it is a little basic. You will need to provide a soft cushion for the base, if required, and the only means of carrying the Rosewood is via the single plastic handle on top of the box.
The Siivton Pet Carrier With Expandable Sides is an expandable soft carrier bag. Whereas the Petsfit expandable carrier above has one side that folds out, all sides of the Siivton, including the ends, can be expanded which provides significantly more room. However, the corners of the bag do not move, which prevents your cat from being able to fully stretch out.
While closed, the bag fits under airline seats and it is airline approved. When transporting your cat in the car or when camping or on holiday, the bag can be folded out so there is even room for bowls and other items. The bag should house medium-sized cats and it has four entry and exit points, so you really can choose the one that best suits your cat’s preferences. It includes a comfortable shoulder strap and is reasonably priced.
Unfortunately, the material is flimsy, which means that a determined cat may be able to scratch or chew through and escape, and it also means that it really is only suitable for lighter pets.
The Pecute Cat Carrier Expandable Backpack combines the human benefits of a backpack carrier with the feline benefit of an expandable section to give the cat more room when stationary. The backpack style is worn over the shoulders, which enables you to spread the weight of the carrier and the cat it contains across your chest and shoulders. It even has a chest clip and waist strap to further spread the weight.
It does have a solid bottom, which means the bag won’t collapse on your cat while being carried. The bag expands at the back, which means that it can give extra room when in the car or on the floor. The bag is quite expensive, and because this is a backpack, it is somewhat limited in horizontal space, but it can be expanded when in the car and then contracted while carrying the cat on a walk, for example.
Pros
Rubber, non-slip feet
Solid base prevents the carrier from collapsing in on your cat
Backpack with extra straps makes it easy to distribute the weight
The Kaka Mall Pet Carrier is a soft carrier bag with padded, waterproof sides and includes a removable fleece mat for the internal base of the carrier. It has two convenient pockets to store items like collars or toys. You also get a padded, adjustable shoulder strap that makes carrying it easier. The bag is reasonably priced, and it does benefit from the waterproof material.
However, it is small, with most adult cats struggling to fit comfortably within, and there is no support for the walls or the top of the carrier, which means that it folds in on the cat.
The Trixie Bicycle Basket With Grille is a willow basket that attaches to the handlebars of a bike and has a wire mesh that sits over the top of the basket to prevent your cat from getting out. The basket is not designed to be put on and taken off the bike regularly and attaches with bolts.
This does ensure that the basket stays in place, but it means that you will need to carry your cat to and from the basket, so it is only suitable for cats that are comfortable being transported and that don’t pose a flight risk when being carried outdoors. Also, the basket won’t fit all bicycles and can catch on the brake levers if your bike isn’t suitable.
Pros
Fits securely to the handlebars of some bikes
Includes a comfortable cushion
Cons
Can’t remove it from the bike so cat needs to be carried to the bike and back
Doesn’t fit all bike handlebars
Not airline approved
Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Cat Carrier
Most of the time, cats love confined spaces. They like to climb into and sleep in really small spaces. However, it can be a different story when it comes time to transport your feline friend to the vet or on holiday. Getting them into a cat carrier can end up being a haze of claws and teeth.
If you’re lucky, you have a cat that enjoys, or at the very least tolerates, being put in and carried in such a device. But, in any case, you will need a carrier that they like that is spacious enough and can carry their weight.
Carrier Types
One of the first things to decide on is the type of carrier you want. Although there are some weird and wonderful options out there that defy categorisation, the main types of cat carrier are:
Soft Bags: Typically made from polyester, Oxford cloth, or some other soft material, these look like normal bags except that they have mesh sides and typically open at the front and top to make it easy to put your cat in. These tend to be softer and more comfortable than hard carry cases, but they are not as rigid. If your cat resists being put in the carrier, the soft walls will be a detriment and not a benefit. On the other hand, your feline friend may appreciate the softer surroundings, so you could find it easier to coax them inside.
Hard Carriers: The hard carrier is the traditional cat carrier style. It is usually made from plastic and has a wire mesh door that can be completely removed or opened at one or both sides. The hard carry case is harder to scratch or chew through than a bag and there is no danger of the sides folding in or collapsing on your cat during transit. You may want to invest in a cushion or rug to put on the bottom of the carrier, however, because the hard plastic is uncomfortable.
Backpacks: Backpacks are arguably the easiest carrier to actually carry. They have a double strap that goes over the shoulders, and some include additional straps and fastenings that go around the chest and the belly. The weight of the carrier and the cat is spread out across the chest, shoulders, and back, so these put less strain on the human carrier. However, horizontal space tends to be limited in these designs, so they are not usually suitable for large cats.
Expandable Carrier:– Expandable carriers are normally soft-style carriers, but they have one or more walls or sections that can open up. These are designed to carry the cat when closed but can open up when in a car or otherwise placed on a solid surface. This offers some extra room, and this design is usually preferred if you have to take your cat on long car journeys.
Bicycle Baskets: Bicycle baskets allow you to travel using your preferred mode of transport while also transporting your cat. They should attach to the bike using bolts rather than straps, however, and this means that you will have to carry the cat to the basket and not the basket to the cat. As such, this type of arrangement is only really suitable for cats that won’t try to get away when being carried. You will also need to ensure that the basket fits your model or shape of the bike, and you will likely need to have a bicycle basket bracket because one may not be included with the basket itself.
Choosing the Size
Always ensure that you buy an appropriately sized basket. This means checking the length of the cat and choosing something that gives them a few inches in front and behind. Also, check that the width of the basket is appropriate. When the maximum weight capacity is available, your cat should obviously fall underneath this. Don’t rely solely on weight capacity as a guide, however, and remember that there are no standard sizes. One company’s medium basket might be equivalent to another company’s small basket, and so on.
Airline Approved
Some baskets are described as airline-approved. Airlines typically require that a carrier can be placed under the passenger seat. While it might be possible to move to a different seat with more room, if your carrier is considered too large, the airline may refuse to let you fly, so always check paperwork and double check with the airline before you take the risk.
Final Verdict
Cat carriers are an essential piece of cat-owning equipment that make it possible to transport our feline friends to the vet or even take them on holiday with us. Although there are many designs, your cat will usually have a preference for either a soft bag or a hard carrier.
While writing the reviews above, we found the Morpilot Pet Carrier Bag to be the best overall cat carrier. It is airline approved, has an adjustable and padded shoulder strap, and even includes a free travel bowl, although it is really only big enough for smaller cats. The Amazon Basics Pet Carrier Bag is not only the best cat carrier in the UK for the money but is large enough for most adult cats and has a 16-pound maximum weight capacity, so it shouldn’t buckle under the pressure of your feline family members.
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
