Cat carrier bag

Cat carrier bags: 13 products at a range of prices

A cat carrier bag is for vet appointments, the train, the car or a flight. This selection brings together soft and foldable bags, a hard-sided bag, a shoulder bag, a wheeled trolley and three cat car seats. Most are also suitable for a small dog.

Soft, foldable carrier bags

A soft bag folds flat when empty and stores easily. Several come in sizes to match your cat:

• the breathable nylon carrier bag, in S (35 x 24 x 22 cm), M (42 x 26 x 25 cm) or L (48 x 28 x 29 cm);
• the foldable, breathable version for small dogs and cats, in S, Medium or Large, which its product page says suits a pet up to 7 kg;
• the foldable breathable version, in S (40 x 28 x 20 cm), M (45 x 30 x 24 cm) or L (50 x 35 x 25 cm), in five colours;
• the soft carrier bag, in L or XL, with a removable cushion and a wide zipped opening;
• the roomy model for cats and dogs, and the foldable breathable one for small pets, in yellow, green or black.

Hard-sided, shoulder and expandable bags

For a cat that likes to be held close, the reversible shoulder bag is worn against your body, in five colours. The foldable, ventilated hard-sided bag keeps its shape while still folding down. For more room once your cat is settled, the expandable carrier bag, measuring 48 x 30 x 32 cm, expands at the sides; its product page says it is airline-approved, but check with your own airline before you travel.

Trolley and car seats

For long journeys on foot, the trolley carrier bag, which folds flat and rolls like a suitcase; its product page says it takes up to 16 kg. For the car, three seats keep your cat on the back seat: the hanging travel seat, the luxury car seat and the cosy nest car seat, in M or L, for a cat or a small dog.

Which cat carrier should you choose?

• Trips to the vet: a soft carrier with a wide opening that's easy to open on the table.
• Cats over 5 kg: a soft carrier in size L or XL, or the trolley.
• Flying: a soft carrier in a size your airline accepts, such as the expandable carrier.
• Car: a cat car seat, or a carrier placed on the floor behind a seat.
• Storage: a foldable carrier that takes up little space when empty.
• Cat and small dog: most models in the range, designed for a small animal.

To get the size right, measure your pet standing up, from nose to the base of the tail, and its height: it must be able to stand and turn around inside the carrier. Compare these measurements with the dimensions on each product page.

Carrier bag or hard crate?

A soft carrier is lighter for your pet and for you, and folds away; a hard crate keeps its shape and wipes clean easily. Our article carrier bag or hard crate compares the two depending on how you'll use them.

Getting your cat used to the carrier

Leave the carrier open in the living room for a few days before the trip, with a blanket that smells of home and a treat inside. Then close it for a few minutes, and go on a first short journey. A cat that knows its carrier gets in more easily on travel day.

To complete the look

To carry your cat on your back, take a look at our cat backpack carrier: a backpack leaves your hands free on walks. The whole cat carriers range brings together the other options, hard carriers included. For dogs, see the dog carrier bag and our range of dog carriers. Everything else is in our cat products.