As a baseline, your cat carrier should be sturdy, easy to clean, and easy to access so you can get your cat in and out without too much drama. Beyond that, the right cat carrier depends on what exactly you and your fur baby are up to.
Determine the best cat carrier for your desired activity:
Are you going on a plane? Hiking in the mountains? Going to the vet across town? These activities could all require a different cat carrier, so it’s important to determine what you and your cat will be doing the most. If you travel a lot, you want to make sure to get a small carrier that fits various airline requirements—typically something with dimensions around 17″ x 11″ x 11″. But if you’re taking your cat on outdoor adventures, a backpack might be best.
Do you need a hard-side carrier or soft-side carrier?
“Hard-side carriers are the most secure,” says Dr. Ramdas, adding that carriers with a removable lid also make vet visits “a breeze.” That said, if you want to bring your cat with you in the cabin of an airplane, you’ll need a soft-sided carrier. “There is no one size fits all.”
Determine what size carrier is best for your cat
When it comes to carrier size, the general rule of thumb is that it should measure one and a half times the length of your kitty, that way they can stand up and turn around during their journeys. But on the opposite end, Dr. Blair says that cats feel safer in smaller spaces, so be sure not to go too big, either.