The Best Cat Carrier for All Kinds of Travel
A good, solid cat carrier is a must have for any pet parent. Whether you’re going across the country or just across the street, a carrier is the safest and most secure way to transport your fur baby. There are lots of carrier styles out there, but Sherpa brand pet carriers reign supreme. In my experience, the Sherpa Original Deluxe carrier bag is the best cat carrier available.
Table of Contents:
Cat Travel Necessities
What to Look For in the Best Cat Carriers
While there are plenty of sturdy hard-sided carriers, soft cat carriers tend to be more comfortable for feline travelers.
Soft sided cat carriers are easier to store, as well, and more breathable for pets. You can add comfort items like my crochet cat mats or toys, plus plenty of catnip, too!
They aren’t necessarily as easy to clean as hard sided carriers, though the removable parts of soft carriers are typically machine washable.
(P.S. I don’t recommend driving with your cat with the carrier top open, even with the harness and leash hooked into the ring at the base of the carrier. This picture of Louis was just too funny not to use at some point in this post. He stays fully inside the carrier now anytime I’m driving because it’s too distracting otherwise.)
The Best Cat Carrier: Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier
Sherpa’s soft sided cat carriers are incredibly durable and boast an easy-to-clean design. Whether you’re on a cross-country plane tip or simply staying in a hotel with a dog or cat, these carriers are the easiest to travel with. They are crash tested for safety, so you can feel comfortable in your choice of carrier. These carriers tend to be marketed towards dogs, particularly for air travel, but the medium size is perfect for most cats.
Sherpa Carrier Features
The Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier has a flexible spring wire frame that allows the carrier to be fit easily under airline seats (or under beds/in closets when not in use). The mesh windows offer plenty of ventilation, but are coated so as to prevent the mesh from tearing. There are top and side zippers, so you have options on how to get your cat into the carrier. Once inside, there is a machine-washable liner pad that attaches to the base with velcro. There’s also a little hook to attach a leash if you want to further secure your cat with a harness.
The comfort specs aren’t just for the pets, though. The carrier’s strap has an adjustable no-slip shoulder pad and easy-to-grab handles that snap over the top of the bag. In the rear of the carrier, there is a useful little pocket (great for any paperwork you need to keep with your cat, or snacks!), and a seatbelt strap. I tend to keep the cats’ harnesses and AirTags in the carrier back pocket, so I know where they are in case of emergency.
Sherpa carriers are “Airline Approved,” which means that the carrier: (1) provides adequate ventilation, (2) is leak-proof, and (3) safely encloses the pet. For more information on flying with your Sherpa carrier, check out their website details here.
My Experience with Sherpa’s Pet Carriers
Each of my cats has a Sherpa carrier and they have held up well. Louis and Olivia’s Sherpa carriers were both bought new for them. Emory’s was inherited from Brett’s family. Emory’s shows some small signs of wear, but is easily fifteen years old and still very much secure and usable.
My cats are all between 10 and 15 lbs, and they each fit the medium carrier well. If push comes to shove, I can even get Louis and Olivia into a single carrier.
While my cats might not like to travel, they do like their carriers. Their Sherpa carriers are cozy, full of catnip, toys, and their favorite cat mats. Cat carriers can become comfort items for cats, like crates can be for dogs: a cozy spot to hang out and feel secure. During storms or periods of stress, we tend to put the carriers out so that the cats have a little hide out spot to visit, as you can see below.
Where to Buy the Sherpa Cat Carrier
The Sherpa Original Deluxe Carrier is widely available at most pet supply stores, as well as on Amazon and Chewy for around $35. Prices fluctuate, it seems, but Amazon and Chewy typically keep it around $35 for the medium size.
Shop the Best Cat Carrier
This carrier has been invaluable for us when moving house!
Get tips on moving with cats, including how to use
the carrier as a comfort zone, here!
*This post was originally published in January 2023. It was most recently updated on November 14, 2023.
Soft and hard cat carriers are both popular options. Soft carriers, in particular, are known for their lightweight and easy-to-carry design
Yes, I like how light weight they are! Plus, they don’t seem to jostle the cats as much as hard-sided carriers do, based on my experience with both.
Thanks for this article! Have been looking for the best cat carriers and was worried about our pet being comfortable. Going to buy the sherpa for our next trip to California. Looks perfect!
Awesome!! My cats are always comfy in theirs, and they love to lounge in them while home between trips 🙂
I’d love some tips on getting my cat used to the carrier! She’s pretty timid, but this looks like just the carrier I need for her!
Leaving the carrier out and open can help get them acclimated to it! I like to spray some catnip spray in ours or hide treats under little cat mat blankets I make so they become more curious about it. My cats tend to hang out in ours even when we aren’t traveling! I think they’re a cozy, safe space for them.
The only cat carriers I have are the hard-side style. I’m definitely going to check this soft-sided option out. It looks like a much better option for my two fluffy friends!