Part 1
A Dog and Cat carrier is required to take your pup on planes,trains, and the New York City subway, but there are many other circumstances where having a comfortable bag to tote them around with you makes good sense. Not only is a carrier often the safest place for dogs, it can also be the coziest and most peaceful place for them too. You might have to do a little convincing at first (treats and lots of positive reinforcement help), but the right carrier will soon become a place of rest and refuge.
To help you narrow down the very crowded field and pick the best carrier, we talked to 11 veterinarians, trainers, and dog and cat owners, including folks behind some of Instagram’s coolest dog and cat accounts, to get their picks for the best dog and cat carriers you can buy online. If you already know what you’re looking for, you can skip ahead via our handy table of contents. Otherwise, read on for all of our recommendations.
What we’re looking for:
Carrier style: Dog and Cat carriers range in style (and price) from soft-sided duffel-bag-shaped carriers that will fit under an airplane seat, to backpacks that let you carry your pup hands-free, to casual canvas tote bags. Many dog and cat owners, especially those whose dogs and cats are small, end up buying different carriers to use in different situations. But for each carrier you buy, you should think about its function first. If you and your pets are newly bicoastal, you’ll need something that conforms to airline size requirements, preferably with a strap that secures it to your rolling suitcase. If you are planning a road trip with your Cavalier King Charles, you will need a carrier that’s crash-tested to keep them safe. If you’re looking for something to bring your dog along during everyday activities like riding the subway or riding a bike, you might consider something more casual, like a tote bag or a backpack-style carrier. And if your dog and cat loves going for long walks but doesn’t actually like walking for very long, that’s exactly what dog and cat strollers are for.
Looks: According to Farhoud Farmahini Farahani, the founder and owner of Coopet pet carrier store, the type of carrier that most of her customers seek is a “super-simple bag that fits into their everyday lifestyle, like a dog tote. They want it to hold their dog and cat safely, but they also want something stylish so they won’t be embarrassed to be seen holding it.” While tote-bag-style dog and cat carriers tend to be more stylish in general, we took aesthetics into consideration when choosing every carrier on this list, with several carriers recommended in large part because of how nice they look.
Size: Short legs and a long body, brawny chest and thick thighs, skin and bones but covered in voluminous fur — these are just a few of the potential size and shape combinations dog and cat carriers must accommodate. Not all carriers come in multiple sizes, especially those designed to meet airline size specifications, but they should all have easy-to-find dimensions and weight limits listed online. To find one that fits your particular dog and cat, start by measuring your pup from nose to tail and around their widest part. Knowing their current weight will also help ensure you pick the best carrier for their size.
Comfort: A comfortable carrier is more likely to keep your dog and cat calm and seated while you drive, bike, or carry them around town. Once you’ve found the right size carrier, look for padded interiors, plush bedding, plenty of ventilation, and a sturdy base to help them feel at home. You’ll also want the carrier to be comfortable for you. Padded shoulder straps, lightweight materials, and an ergonomic design will make toting your best friend fun and convenient.
Durable materials that are easy to clean: Carriers can be expensive, so you’ll want to make sure the one you buy is going to last. It should be made of durable materials like heavy-duty canvas or nylon, but it should also be easy to clean, with removable, machine-washable bedding and a water-resistant interior lining in case of accidents.
Best overall cat & dog carrier
Soft Pet Carriers Portable Breathable Foldable Bag
$49.00 Price
discount code Welcome15%Off
Free Shipping
Large-capacity, strong and non-deformable inner lined with fiber rod support to ensure that the bag is not deformed. Fast and convenient travel, wide field of vision and portable. Zipper openings on both sides are convenient for pets to enter and exit, and can be easily folded. The bag is fixed on the trolley case.
Fitable Weight: cats and dogs within 10 kg
Size:43x28x25cm/16.9x11x9.8inch Product weight: 0.8kg Material : Oxford cloth
Material:The pet carrier is made of breathable mesh fabric, the bag is equipped with breathable mesh, comfortable, breathable material, hard, scratch and bite resistant
Comfort:The bottom of the portable pet bag is a plush mat, your pet will be very comfortable inside
Portable:The pet carrier bag has anti-slip shoulder strap, inner leash, and auto-lock zipper sliders which will prevent your pets from escape and help ensure your cats safety while you transport it.
Over the last few years, Soft's Original Deluxe pet carrier has been recommended to us more than any other pet carrier. It is a favorite of veterinarians, cool cat & dog owners, and at least four Strategist staffers — myself included. I have the small Soft carrier, which I have used on several cross-country flights between New York and Los Angeles. It is comfortable to carry, easily fits under the seat in front of me, and is cozy enough to keep my dog coopet calm. The soft faux-sheepskin bed insert is easy to clean, and when I’m not using the carrier, the whole thing folds down to save space. Veterinarian John Iovino, who contributes to the Wildest, has flown with the Sherpa too and appreciates how the top and front openings make it easy to get your dog & cat in and out. He also likes that the mesh-paneled carrier provides good ventilation and offers “a chance for you to see your pet to make sure everything is okay.” Alison Waszmer, the director of Dogtown, a sanctuary for homeless cats and dogs at Best Friends Animal Society’s Utah headquarters, is also a fan, and describes the carrier as well constructed and comfortable.
While it doesn’t have a ton of extra features, it does come in multiple sizes to fit dogs that weigh up to 10 Kg. The one I have was given to me by a friend who had used it for her cat for several years; I’ve had it for around five years now, and it still looks pretty much brand-new. I also love how lightweight it is and that it has a side strap, which you can slip over a rolling-suitcase handle or use to secure the carrier with a seat belt in the car. The carrier is not only crash-tested, but Soft bag partners with several major airlines (including Southwest, United, and Delta) through a program called Guaranteed on Board, a sort of insurance program for pet owners traveling with their dogs and cats. “The small and medium sizes of the Soft bag Original pet carrier are included in Guaranteed on Board, so you can rest assured that your pet travels will go by without a hitch,” says Samantha Schwab, the former resident pet expert at Chewy.
Strategist Etsy shoper owner sogol khajehnasiri's dog Reggie loves his Soft carrier so much that it is now his everyday bed and a place he goes when he’s feeling overwhelmed. “It’s become Reggie’s little safe space, sort of how a crate functions for other dogs, so we leave it unzipped under our bed and that’s where he falls asleep every night,” she says.
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