The Best Hard-Sided Cat Carriers
Cat carriers with hard sides are essential for things like vet visits, road trips, and more. They're harder to escape from than their soft-sided counterparts, and the extra stability helps keep your pets safe and comfortable during your travels. And many of the best versions come with added features, including top entry doors for furry frieds with anxiety, large "windows," foldable designs, and more. Read on to discover the version that's perfect for you and your pet.
What to Look For
Taking durability, pet entry door designs, and additional features into consideration, we gathered and reviewed the best cat carriers with hard sides on the market today. For example, if you’re looking for a kennel with two access doors, the Amazon Basics carrier is an affordable and well-built choice. And if you want something that folds up between vet visits for compact storage, the SportPet Designs crate is worth looking into. You can learn more about each of these products, as well as our other favorites, in the post below.
Amazon Basics Pet Carrier for Cats
Smooth entries
This cat carrier is designed with durability and ease of use in mind. The hard plastic material and steel doors are built to last, and the sides are held together with screws to keep the top half from popping off while your pet is inside. While the top door swings from left or right, it still has a handle for easy carrying. Every side offers air ventilation to keep your kitty comfortable. Cats of all sizes will fit as well since the weight recommendations are a whopping 12-20 pounds.
Pros:
- You can fit two cats inside of this carrier at the same time.
- We found that assembly only takes a few minutes.
Cons:
- It’s important to make sure the top locks are secured before picking up your pet, especially if they’re on the larger side.
Spree Pet Carriers by MidWest Homes for Pets
Choose your color
This cat carrier is fun for both pets and pet parents, with cheery color options that include light blue, bright green, and red. The large side holes offer increased airflow for your cats. No tools are required for assembly, but each connection is enforced with strong, patented, built-in locks. Average-sized cats fit well inside of the 19-inch version, but you can upgrade to 22 or 24 inches if you have a larger pet or want to place multiple cats inside.
Pros:
- You can open one side of the door locks to have it swing open, or remove them both to take the entire door down.
- If you buy more than one, the crates stack on top of each other fairly well for storage.
Cons:
- The door locks are made of plastic, so they could break if a stronger animal like a dog was placed inside.
Van Ness Calm Carrier
Keep calm
If your cat has a particularly hard time getting into the carrier, this option from Van Ness could help. It’s designed specifically for cats with anxiety. Instead of having the cat walk inside, you pull out the entire basket, set them in, and push the cover back over them. Plus, the door is made with heavy-gauge wires to prevent escapes. There’s more ventilation than the average kennel, too, so your kitty can get plenty of fresh air to help him keep calm.
Pros:
- The interior is easy to clean since there are not many ridges or rivets for dirt or other debris to get stuck in.
- The style helps with cats who don’t want to come out of the carrier at the vet as well.
Cons:
- Larger cats may need to order the next size up.
Ferplast Atlas Pet Carrier
Take a peek
This cat carrier can be helpful for nervous cats since they’re able to see you from the top window while you carry them around. Durable, powder-coated doors open on top and in the front for easier loading and unloading. Assembly is a breeze; it only takes a few minutes and won’t require any tools. And the different size options make it easy to suit the size of your pet.
Pros:
- You can place a cat bed inside to make the carrier more comfortable.
- The blue and green color options are fun for pet owners.
Cons:
- This needs to be assembled according to the instructions to ensure it’s safe for your pet.
SportPet Travel Master Cat Carrier
Fold and go
This unique cat carrier boasts several benefits that make it stand out from the crowd. To start, its triangular shape allows for a huge access door, making entering and exiting a much easier process. Next, it folds up between uses for compact storage. It also comes with a washable and water-resistant bed that fits perfectly inside, so your cat can stay comfy no matter where you go.
Pros:
- The button that opens the carrier is much faster than the typical latch style.
- It has great airflow thanks to ventilation holes existing on every side.
Cons:
- The bed needs to be removed before collapsing the kennel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any other animals use cat carriers?
Yes, many small animals can use these just as well as cats. Some examples include rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hedgehogs, chinchillas, and birds. Just make sure they’re not over the weight limit before you place them inside.
Do all cats like to go in carriers?
Not all cats enjoy carriers, but most can be trained to tolerate them. Try leaving the carrier in a familiar place for a few days before you need to use it. Place treats or catnip inside, and praise your kitty when they enter. This will help them feel more comfortable once travel day rolls around.
About the Author
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Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.