Best Cat Crates of 2024

Alright, cat owners! Here’s the scoop: we’re searching for the best cat crates for every type of feline friend out there. We’ll help you navigate the maze of options to secure a crate that’s practical and a cozy retreat for your kitty.

So, whether for a quick trip to the vet or a longer journey, join us as we uncover the top picks that promise comfort, security, and a bit of style for your beloved pet. Let’s get started 😺✨

Explore the Best Cat Crate

🏅 Amazon Basics Pet Travel Carrier

The Amazon Basics 2-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Pet Travel Carrier has garnered considerable attention from pet owners for its thoughtful design and functionality. This carrier is specifically tailored for small to medium-sized pets, including dogs and cats.

Rating: 4.6  based on 54,600+ reviews

Key Highlights:

• Perfect Fit for Small to Medium Pets: Measuring 22.8″L x 15.0″W x 13.0″H, this carrier is ideal for pets weighing 12 to 20 pounds. It ensures enough space for your pet to sit, stand, and turn around comfortably, making it a snug and secure haven during travel.
• Ventilation and Visibility: With ample ventilation on the sides, top, and back, the carrier ensures your pet has a comfortable journey with plenty of fresh air and the ability to see their surroundings, reducing anxiety and promoting calmness.
• Easy to Assemble and Carry: The top and bottom parts of the carrier snap together securely with latches, reinforced with screws for additional stability.

Customer Experiences:

Many customers have praised the carrier for its ease of assembly, sturdy construction, and the convenience of the dual-door design. Pets seem to adapt quickly to the carrier, with owners noting reduced stress during travel. However, some have mentioned the latches might require attention to ensure they are securely fastened.

Pros & Cons:

• Dual-door design for versatile access
• Sturdy construction with secure assembly
• Some concerns about the latch mechanism
• Handle could be more robust for heavier pets

Why It Deserves Your Attention:

Despite minor feedback on the latch and handle, the overwhelming number of positive reviews and the carrier’s ranking as Amazon’s Choice in its category underscore its quality and popularity among pet owners.

Whether you’re planning a trip or just need a secure carrier for vet visits, this product promises to deliver comfort for your pet and peace of mind for you, making it a worthy investment for your pet care essentials.

For those days when you prefer to keep your cat closer to the ground during outdoor adventures, consider exploring the best cat strollers for safe and enjoyable walks.

Excellent Alternatives to Consider

🌟 Vceoa Pet Carrier

The Vceoa Pet Carrier is a soft-sided carrier designed to transport cats and small dogs safely and comfortably. This carrier has become a favorite among pet owners for its durability, convenience, and thoughtful features.

Rating: 4.8  based on 29,900+ reviews

Highlights:

• Optimal Size for Small Pets: The carrier measures 17.5″L x 11.0″ W x 11.0″H, making it suitable for pets up to 16 lbs. Choosing a carrier based on your pet’s length and height rather than weight alone is crucial to ensure a comfortable fit.
• Air Travel Friendly: Designed to fit under most airline seats, this carrier complies with the under-seat dimensions required by many airlines. However, it’s always best to check with your specific airline before traveling to avoid any issues at the airport.
• Ventilation and Access: The carrier features mesh windows for ample ventilation, ensuring your pet stays relaxed and comfortable. It offers top and side entry points with locking zippers for safety, allowing easy access to your pet.

Customer Insights:

The carrier’s portability, including top and side entry points, has been highlighted as a beneficial feature. While most feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, some users have expressed concerns about its size, suggesting it may be too small for larger pets.

Pros & Cons:

• Lightweight and durable
• Suitable for air travel
• Easy access with multiple entry points
• It may be too small for larger pets close to the weight limit
• Some concerns about long-term durability with very active pets

Why It’s a Good Accessory for Your Cat:

Including a comfortable fleece bed and the ability to serve as a cozy space for pets at home adds to its versatility. Whether taking a short trip to the vet or embarking on a longer journey, we recommend this carrier to ensure your pet’s safety, comfort, and happiness.

🌟 SECLATO Cat Carrier

Dive into the world of pet travel with the SECLATO Cat Carrier, where style meets functionality; all wrapped up in a pink package that’s hard to resist. This soft-sided marvel isn’t just a carrier; it’s a travel suite for your furry VIPs, making every trip as cozy as a nap in the sun.

Rating: 4.7  based on 2,300+ reviews

Key Attributes:

• Just the Right Size: At 17″L x 12″W x 11″H, it’s like a spacious studio apartment for pets under 15 lbs. Roomy enough for them to stretch but cozy enough to feel secure.
• Travel Savvy Features: A hidden foldable cat bowl for snack times on the go? Check. Retractable shoulder straps with cushy pads to save your shoulders during long hauls? Double check. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of pet carriers.
• Breathability & Peek-a-Boo: With mesh on all four sides and a top window, your pet gets a panoramic view of the world while staying well-ventilated. The escape-proof safety lock means you can breathe easily, too.

Real Talk – Pros & Cons:

• OEKO-TEX-certified materials for peace of mind
• Spacious interior for pets to lounge
• The elusive detachable food bowl – some found it, some didn’t. It’s like the Where’s Waldo? of pet carrier accessories.
• You could use more pockets because you can never have too many snacks (or poop bags).

The Bottom Line:

The SECLATO Cat Carrier is the travel buddy you didn’t know you needed. It’s not just about getting from A to B; it’s about doing it comfortably, style, and with a dash of pink flair. Your pet doesn’t just ride; they arrive. Whether navigating the friendly skies or heading out for a check-up, this carrier ensures your pet’s journey is as pleasant as its destination.

🌟 SportPet Designs Cat Crate

In the bustling world of pet care products, the SportPet Designs Foldable Travel Cat Carrier emerges as a beacon of innovation and convenience for cat owners. After extensive evaluation, this carrier stands out for its practical design and its thoughtful features.

Rating: 4.6  based on 8,000+ reviews

Highlights:

• Comfort Meets Convenience: The carrier includes an extra comfy pet bed, ensuring a cozy journey for your feline friend. The bed’s machine-washable and dryer-safe design underscores the carrier’s commitment to convenience.
• Foldable and Portable: Space-saving when not in use, the carrier folds down compactly, a boon for those with limited storage space. Its lightweight yet sturdy construction does not compromise durability, making it a reliable choice for trips to the vet or longer travels.
• Ample Ventilation and Visibility: With well-designed ventilation slats, the carrier ensures ample airflow and allows pets to monitor their surroundings, which can be soothing during travel.

Customer Experiences:

Feedback from users highlights the carrier’s ease of assembly and portability. The collapsible design is particularly appreciated for its space-saving benefits. Pet parents have noted the ease with which their cats can be introduced to and removed from the carrier, attributing this to the thoughtful door design.

Pros & Cons:

• Ingenious door design facilitates easy entry and exit.
• It is foldable for easy storage, making it ideal for small spaces.
• It comes with a washable and comfy bed, enhancing pet comfort.
• Some users have expressed concerns over the potential for the collapsible corners to pose a risk, though these instances appear rare.

Why It Deserves Your Attention:

Drawing from personal observation, the carrier’s blend of practicality and pet-centric design is genuinely impressive. It addresses common concerns with traditional carriers, such as ease of entry and comfort, making it a standout choice. As someone who values function and form, this carrier hits all the right notes, providing peace of mind for pet owners and a snug retreat for our feline companions.

🌟 Cheering Pet Cat Crate

In the ever-evolving world of pet accessories, the Cheering Pet Cat Crate stands out as a beacon of innovation and practicality for pet owners. After thoroughly examining and considering the needs of both pets and their owners, this crate offers a compelling mix of comfort, convenience, and utility.

Rating: 4.4  based on 1,800+ reviews

Key Highlights:

• Spacious and Comfortable: Designed with an extra-large size, this cat crate ensures maximum comfort for your pet, whether you’re on the road, outdoors, or simply at home. It’s roomy enough to accommodate two cats, providing ample space for them to play, sleep, and relax.
• Travel-Friendly Features: The crate has a plush mat, a carrying case, and bonus cat toys, making it a high-value set for pet owners.
• Ventilation and Visibility: Two mesh-screened side windows with roll-up shades provide adjustable visibility and ventilation, ensuring your pet’s comfort and reducing stress during travel. The heavy-duty zippers ensure security, keeping your pet safe inside.

Customer Experiences:

Users have praised the crate’s size, quality, portability, and the comfort it provides to their pets. The ability to accommodate essentials like a bed, litter box, and food cups within the spacious interior has been particularly appreciated, as well as the aesthetic appeal and the inclusion of toys. However, some have noted challenges with folding the crate into compact form.

Pros & Cons:

• Generously sized for one large or two small cats.
• Includes thoughtful extras for pet comfort and entertainment.
• Durable, portable, and easy to set up for travel or home use.
• Some users find folding it back up challenging.

Why It Deserves Your Attention:

A comprehensive solution for pet owners looking for a safe, comfortable, and convenient way to travel with their cats. Its thoughtful design and included accessories address the needs of pets and owners alike, making travel less stressful and more enjoyable for all involved. Whether moving across the country or heading out for a weekend getaway, this crate ensures your pet has a familiar and secure space to call their own.

How do you choose the right size of crate for your cat?

Choosing the right size crate for your cat involves considering several key factors to ensure their comfort and safety:

• Measure Your Cat: Measure from the nose to the base of the tail for length and from the head/ear to the ground for height. Add a few inches to both measurements to allow your cat to move comfortably.
• Weight Consideration: Ensure the crate is sturdy enough for your cat’s weight, but remember to prioritize spatial needs based on measurements, not just weight.
• Space Needs: The crate should be spacious enough for your cat to turn around quickly and stretch out when lying down.

To enhance your cat’s indoor environment, particularly when adapting to a new crate, check out our selection of indoor playpens for cats for added space and entertainment.

• Use Case: For short trips, a compact crate may suffice. For more extended travel, choose a giant crate that can accommodate a litter box and food/water dishes if necessary. Ensure it meets airline specifications for air travel.
• Ventilation and Visibility: Opt for a crate with good airflow and visibility to reduce stress for your cat.
• Ease of Access: A crate with multiple access points is preferable for easier handling.
• Material and Durability: Choose between plastic (cozy and secure), soft-sided (portable, for calm cats), or metal (durable, escape-proof) based on your needs.
• Try Before You Travel: Allow your cat to explore the crate at home to get used to it before traveling.

What are the key features of a cat crate for air travel?

For air travel with cats, select an airline-approved crate that is appropriately sized for your cat to move comfortably and has ample ventilation. Ensure it’s made from sturdy, leak-proof materials with secure locking mechanisms. The crate should fit under the seat for in-cabin travel, meeting your airline’s size requirements.

Opt for a design with multiple entry points for easier access and include handles or straps for convenient carrying. Label the crate with contact information and add familiar items to comfort your cat.

How do you prepare your cat for travel in a new crate?

Preparing your cat for travel in a new crate involves a few steps to ensure they feel safe and comfortable:

• Introduce the Crate Early: Place the crate in your cat’s living area a few weeks before your trip, with the door open, to allow them to explore it at their own pace.

For acclimating your cat to enclosed spaces while allowing them outdoor stimulation, an outdoor cat playpen offers the perfect solution for safe exploration.

• Make It Inviting: Add a soft blanket or bed inside the crate and some of your cat’s favorite toys. Spraying a feline pheromone spray inside can also help make the crate feel more comforting and familiar.
• Feed Meals Inside the Crate: Start feeding your cats their meals near the crate, gradually moving the food inside so they associate the crate with positive experiences.
• Practice Short Sessions: Encourage your cat to spend short periods in the crate with closed doors. Start with just a few minutes and gradually increase the time as they become more comfortable.
• Use Treats and Praise: Reward your cat with treats and praise for entering and staying in the crate to reinforce positive associations.

In conclusion, finding the best cat crate is crucial for ensuring your feline friend’s safety, comfort, and well-being during travels or even just a visit to the vet. Throughout our exploration of the best cat crates on the market, we’ve seen a variety of options tailored to meet the diverse needs and preferences of cats and their owners.