If you share your home with a pet, it’s wise to have a pet carrier on hand for traveling or emergencies.
A designated carrier will help ensure your lovie’s safety, preventing them from abruptly running off and getting lost, especially if they’re anxious or scared. It may also provide them with a sense of security and refuge to be in a comfy space during an unfamiliar journey.
Plus, a good carrier will help keep your dog or cat protected from unfamiliar pets or people you might encounter on the way — especially if you’re on a trip to the vet (because not all travel is for vacation!).
But, as with anything, not all pet carriers are created alike — especially when it comes to choosing an option your sweet one will actually like.
As fellow pet lovers, HuffPost has compiled some of the best dog and cat travel carriers you’ll find this side of the internet. Read on for our picks, below.
Note: If you are traveling by plane, make sure to double check your airline’s guidance around permitted sizing!
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
I selected this top-loading cat carrier after researching (way too many options) for the best carrier I could find for an affordable price.
It’s exceeded my expectations with thoughtful details that I appreciate more and more the longer I’ve owned it.
The three zippered openings are quite handy: I use the top opening to place my cat, Bee, inside when we use it for travel. I also swear by keeping the front or side door open at home so she can use it for regular lounging.
Its fleece bed is a nice, comfy touch; so much so that I often find Bee loafing inside the carrier while we’re at home — choosing it over the bed or couch, to boot. The three mesh doors ensure that it’s breathable, and I appreciate that the mesh affords her a little privacy when she’s in the carrier while still allowing her to discreetly look out and survey her surroundings.
It’s impressively escape-proof — no horror stories of a cat running around the inside of my car here. Plus, I appreciate being able to alternate between the shoulder strap when I need to keep my hands free and the two regular straps when I’d prefer to carry her by hand. I also love its practical side pocket where I stash treats and relevant papers!
From brand Petisfam, this model is best suited for small to medium-sized cats and smaller dog breeds, but it also comes in a version for larger cats.
I own the grey — I gravitated towards its neutral vibe — but it comes in a bunch of other colors I’m now eying (ha), including an understated-cool black with green detailing and a won’t-find-else-where magenta purple.
Promising review: “My cat HATES carriers. He LOVED this one. He seems very comfortable and the top loading feature makes it so much easier to put him in the carrier. The straps are sturdy. The color is very handsome for a male animal. He’s a large cat, 15lbs and he fits comfortablely inside.” — Number One Shopper
This “matrix of dog carriers” is something of a hidden gem among pet lovers, raved about on Reddit pet forums (and used by several folks in my own life).
What makes it particularly special are its four expandable sides, which provide your lovie with more space to comfortably move around while still inside the carrier. Then, when you need the carrier back to its standard size, just zip the sides back up.
It also sports comfy fleece lining, breathable mesh sides and a useful side pocket for storing documents, treats, a leash or anything else you may need.
The carrier is designed for cats and dogs (plus rabbits and other small animals!), with three available sizes and a few colorways.
Note: Clip the coupon on certain sizes for an additional discount at checkout.
Promising review: “My cat seemed very happy inside of this carrier while we traveled, I love that it expands so many different ways so she was really able to spread out and relax during the drive! It can fit in many different spaces and because it expands from many different parts, it made it easy to move around and still provide her with a lot of space.” — Beck
With four mesh sides, this Amazon Basics carrier provides maximum breathability for your sweetie, helping them stay at a cool temperature — along with soft fleece bedding so they’ll be ultra-comfy.
It’s designed with front- and top-loading doors and versatile shoulder and handle straps. It comes in two sizes.
Promising review: “Really great quality soft-sided pet carrier! My cat immediately crawled inside and went to sleep – which is so unbelievable compared to the hard carrier that he HATED! I swear- he knew it was coming out of the closet long before it was time and he would vanish.
The material is heavy so the sides stay up without any issue. Love having access from both the top and side. Delivery was FAST! Ordered on a Saturday afternoon and it arrived the next day – on a Sunday!” — Renee
This soft-sided, foldable crate from Amazon Basics is a great option for safely transporting larger dogs; it’s a comfy alternative to metal crates and its largest size can accommodate even German shepherds and Great Danes (no small feat!).
Reviewers say it’s lightweight yet sturdy, and your pup will appreciate its mesh front door for added breathability. Your dog can also use it as a bed once you reach wherever you’re going — just add a blanket if you want some cushioning. It comes in four sizes to accommodate a variety of dog breeds, as well as cats and rabbits.
Promising reviews: “Our dog has been crate trained since he was a puppy and it has become his safe space/clear indicator that it is time to wind down. We thought about traveling with our furniture crate before we discovered this collapsible one. Wish we bought this sooner!
He loves having his own ‘bedroom’ and privacy wherever we are traveling to.
We initially purchased the medium size, but a quick exchange allowed us to get the large size which is perfect for him.
For reference, he is a 1.5 year old 65lb golden retriever and this is the large size.” — Sarah N.
“We have a large golden retriever puppy and we bought this to use on vacation and it’s absolutely awesome – worth every penny! It folds up super easily and the mesh is breathable and allows the dog to be vented while also providing a safe secure ‘den’ dogs need. It’s lightweight and travels really well. It even has a plastic clip for the zippers so if you have a magician dog like ours you can clip them in and they can get out. This is truly a fantastic item – can’t recommend more!” — Jen C.
Designed to combine the best parts of soft and hard crates, this pick has soft, breathable sides and a hard top and base for stability and sturdiness.
Besides the built-in airflow that the mesh sides provide, they also let your lovie survey their surroundings — a feature your pet is sure to appreciate.
The bottom is padded for added comfort and it’s completely collapsible for easy storage.
Measuring 17 inches long, 13 inches high and 14 inches wide, it’s best suited for cats, smaller dogs and rabbits.
Promising review: “I love this carrier, my cat loves to go in it to sleep during the day. The zippers are sturdy and I feel that my cat is safe and secure when we go to the vet. This carrier is easier to put in the car than rectangular ones, the seatbelt goes around the carrier easily. I would recommend this to anyone because it is wonderful to have the option to put the cat in from the top or the side depending on how difficult she is being about going to the vet!” — Kimberly D
Note: Clip the coupon for an additional discount at checkout.
Sturdy, collapsible and highly ventilated, this large soft-sided pet carrier provides spacious, comfy transport for medium-breed dogs and extra-large cats while keeping them safe and secure. Some reviewers also use this model for transporting two or three regular-sized cats together.
It’s made of tear- and water-resistant Oxford fabric with steel inner supports that help ensure its durability and longevity.
Available in seven colors and patterns, the kennel is especially ideal for road trips due to its exterior built-in loops that can be buckled into seatbelts.
Promising review: “Great carrier for my very large (21 lbs) cat! Lots of ventilation (nice, sturdy zippered side and top screens ) and plenty of room for kitty to move around. Easy to use, sturdy, safe and a great looking carrier. Exceptional quality and value for the money. My cat normally hates his carriers, but he loves this one! In fact, he voluntarily seeks it out and likes to sleep in it at home, when we aren’t traveling long distances in the car (or going to the V-e-t 😃❤️🐈⬛).” — Lynne
“This large pet carrier is for my Sheltie puppy who is to be about 25 lbs and weighs 18 right now. It has a metal frame and generally well made. I also like the breathable fabric with zippers. You can load the dog from the top or one side. He loves being in there and sleeping during car rides. I just wish it was a little smaller. I got gray. The pad on the bottom has a removable cover, which I already washed since we go to the state park to hike and he often gets muddy.” — lovinlife
For folks with two fur babies, travel plans or potential emergency evacuations pose added logistical complexity. Prepare in advance with this unique double-decker pet carrier, which can accommodate two small pets (and is especially fitting for cats).
The carrier is designed to be worn as a backpack with your angels in separate top and bottom compartments (not unlike bunk beds). The backpack has built-in chest and waist straps for extra support for the wearer and to help stabilize the pack while it’s being worn.
The dual-cabin piece is designed to be plenty comfy for your lovelies, with seven mesh windows for breathability and air flow, plus fleece padding.
Two of the mesh windows double as pockets for added storage, and you can also transform the carrier into a single-pet carrier by removing the middle divider (this way you can carry a larger pet, like a medium-sized dog).
The backpack comes in two sizes and two colors.
Promising review: “This pet carrier is niiiiiiice! Easy to assemble. Durable materials. Side handles and pockets. More than enough ventilation. Enough space for four 5lb. cats. The cats love being carried around in the bag, and when not being toted around, they love playing and sleeping in it. It has ample padding in shoulder straps and against your back so you don’t get fatigued carrying around your little buddies. It’s a big carrier. 11″ length X 14″ wide X 19″ high, but big is why you want this carrier. And while it’s big, it’s nice and light.
If you need more space for a bigger animal, you can remove the center divider for one giant compartment rather than 2 compartments. The padding covers are removable for easy washing.
You and your animal(s) will love it.” — J A M
This three-sided mesh pet backpack is especially suitable for anxiously-attached pets, reviewers say, since the mesh walls allow them to keep an eye on you and their surroundings. (The mesh also provides impressive ventilation.)
Measuring 12.6 inches long, 11.4 inches wide and 16.5 inches high, it’s best suited for cats and smaller dogs. Reviewers say they’ve used the carrier for travel, plus for hikes, walks and even bike rides.
It’s available in five colors; you can also grab it in an upgraded version with adjustable curtains to block the sun and increase privacy. Both versions come with chest straps for added stability and support for the wearer.
Note: Clip the coupon for an added discount at checkout.
Promising review: “I’ve bought this bag twice. I ended up giving the first one to a friend for their kitten and then bought another one because I love it so much. My fussy 16lb cat usually hates being put in carriers but it’s super easy to get him in this one. He stayed in it for an 18hr roadtrip even when I tried to let him out. So he clearly feels safe in it and I think he likes the vents so he can see me. The bag is pretty durable. He would have to scratch extensively to damage it or escape. Highly recommend.” — Amazon Customer
“I love this cat carrier so much! I needed a new one and really wanted a backpack style that provides lots of airflow and allows my kitty to view the surroundings. This one was the best choice for us. My 10 pound elderly cat went to her most recent appointment in it. Had plenty of room to move in and see all what was going on. She curled up in it and took a nap on the way home. It was comfortable on my shoulders. It was easy to get her in and out of too. She had a little spill inside and it was easy to clean up. The side pockets are a nice size to hold a variety of items such as paperwork, keys, etc. I love how it all unzips and folds down, which makes it easy to store with out taking up alot of room. Everyone who saw it loved it too! So excited for this carrier would never go back to the other conventional ones. Plan to take kitty on walks with it too when she feels better. Kitty and cat lady approved!” — Kittydog80
Soft-sided and comfy yet secure, this roomy travel crate is thoughtfully designed to keep your dog comfy yet secure with a spacious inside (that’s purportedly wider and higher than other similar-sized options), ventilated mesh windows and a soft fleece bed.
Sporting 10,000 5-star ratings, this cozy kennel is well-constructed with a lightweight steel frame, while still able to easily fold down for storage.
It comes in five sizes, the latter of which will accommodate larger breeds while still fitting in the trunk of larger vehicles (like this reviewer’s Great Dane).
The carrier also comes with a two-year warranty, plus a carrying bag.
You can grab it in 20 colors.
Promising reviews: “Unfortunately,my dog happened to be in my backseat when a man slammed into my car and tboned me. she’s been afraid of the car ever since….. until I got this crate. it’s so easy to maneuver it in either my backseat or the trunk. she loves it. she HATES her crate in the house but loves to be in this one. she doesn’t cry or anything. there’s zippers to open up on 2 ends so she can still poke her head out. I love this crate a lot.” — Hayley Adams