Transporting your favorite feline from one location to another can be challenging. Cats don’t always appreciate being put into cat carriers or the act of travel, and some of the pet carriers available don’t always seem completely safe (or comfortable). Plus, if you carry your pet on planes often, you need a cat carrier that’s airline-approved. Finding the perfect cat carrier can be a hassle!

If you’re concerned about travel safety for your cat, you’re in the right place. We have the top 10 cat carriers in Australia below, including the best airline-approved cat carriers. Each one has a quick rundown of the carrier with pros and cons to help you decide quickly whether a carrier is right for your pet. There’s also a buying guide that lets you know exactly what you should be looking at to find a great cat carrier.

Read on and make worrying about the safety of your cat during travel a thing of the past!

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The 10 Best Cat Carriers in Australia

1. PetAmi Airline Approved Premium Pet Travel Carrier – Best Overall

For the best overall airline-approved cat carrier in Australia, we recommend the PetAmi Airline Approved Premium Pet Travel Carrier. Made to allow for the best travel experience for you and your pet, this cat carrier was designed with safety in mind. It prevents your cat from escaping with the help of safety buckles and safety zippers, and it can also be attached via strap to your luggage or a seat for safer journeys. The PetAmi carrier is well-ventilated, so your cat will have enough air, plus it has a cozy interior and collapsible bowl to keep your feline friend hydrated.

This airline-approved cat carrier also comes with a name tag that’s prominently located, access to the carrier from both sides, and a detachable strap.

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2. Paws & Pals Airline Approved Pet Carrier – Best Value

If you have a smaller kitty and are looking for the best cat carrier in Australia for the money, take a look at this one by Paws & Pals Airline Approved Pet Carrier. To keep your pet safe during transport, it’s designed with safety buckles, a sturdy reinforced frame, and even light-reflecting strips, so the carrier is always visible. It is also airline-approved (for most airlines) and meets the regulations and rules of the TSA. Plus, it has the correct dimensions for under-the-seat travel for the majority of airlines.

This cat carrier is water and leak-resistant, has a removable fleece bed, two entrances, can be folded for quick storage, and is machine washable for easy cleaning. It also comes in a large size as well.

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3. Purrpy Airline Approved Pet Carrier for Cats – Premium Choice

When you want your favorite feline to travel in style, you’ll want the Purrpy Airline Approved Pet Carrier for Cats! This cat carrier keeps your pet safe with its reinforced frame and clasps on the zippers that lock in any escape artists. It comes with three openings (two sides and a top), so you have an easier time getting your cat inside. And carrying it with luggage is simple, as there is a slot stitched on the side that you can put your luggage handle through.

The carrier comes with a fleece bed and plenty of mesh openings, so you can see and reassure your pet during travel. It is airline-approved and fits the dimensions for under-the-seat airline travel.

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4. Pet Gear Car Seat & Carrier

Keep your kitty safe when you travel by car with the Pet Gear Car Seat and Carrier. This cat carrier can be easily attached to the seat belt in your vehicle to keep it secure while on the road. It also has an interior tether to keep your pet in place while on the move. A front and top entry allow for less struggle in getting your cat into the carrier, while the inside has a cozy bed made of fleece, so your pet stays comfy. And there are pouches on the rear of the cat carrier, so you can store a few small items for your journey!

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5. Texsens Pet Backpack Carrier for Small Cats

If you’re looking for a cat carrier that’s a bit different, the Texsens Pet Backpack Carrier for Small Cats could be just the thing! Not only does it make carrying your kitty around a breeze, but it comes with chest buckles that help reduce back and shoulder strain while you do so. This cat carrier also provides plenty of ventilation with three meshed sides, so your pet doesn’t get stuffy while in it. It’s still sturdy, though, with a sponge back that allows it to keep its shape. And it contains a safety lock, so your cat stays where it should.

This cat carrier claims it is scratch-resistant and durable enough to last a long while.

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6. Akinerri Airline Approved Pet Carrier

This Akinerri Airline Approved Pet Carrier allows your cat to travel in style while maintaining its safety. An inner leash lets you keep your pet from moving around too much during travel, and self-lock zippers keep your kitty from getting out. You can even hook it safely onto your luggage for easier transport (or carry it with the shoulder straps or handles)! A front and top entrance allow your pet to enter the way they’re most comfortable, while mesh sides offer them the ability to see what’s happening around them. Plus, there’s a soft bed inside and outside pockets to store toys and treats.

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7. Aivituvin Large Soft-Sided Pet Carrier

Though this Aivituvin Large Soft-Sided Pet Carrier is pretty basic, it still provides a safe trip for your favorite furry friend! The company promises the plastic used is incredibly sturdy and won’t ever break through the mesh parts of the bag, so the carrier will keep its shape no matter how long it’s used. The carrier also contains zippers that lock and a shoulder strap that’s been made stronger, so there shouldn’t be a risk of it breaking.

This cat carrier is also comfy for your cat with the overly large side entry, fleece pet bed inside, and all the views they could want. Plus, the mesh is anti-scratch, so little claws shouldn’t be able to break through.

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8. Petpeppy.com The Original Airline Approved Expandable Pet Carrier

Transport your pet in luxury with Petpeppy.com The Original Airline Approved Expandable Pet Carrier! While, at first glance, it may look like a standard cat carrier, this bag has sides that fold down to expand the amount of room your kitty has while in it. It also comes with sturdy metal hooks, self-locking zippers, a sturdy base, and a leash ring to provide your pet with the safest ride possible. The Petpeppy carrier doesn’t skimp on comfort either! You can avoid the struggle of loading your cat with the top or front entry, and your pet can snuggle into the faux fleece bed inside while making use of the included collapsible pet bowl. This carrier even has extra storage space for you!

This cat carrier is airline-approved and can easily be stowed beneath your seat during travel.

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9. Trixie Capri III Open Top Transport Box

The Trixie Capri III Open Top Transport Box may be the most basic type of cat carrier there is, but it’s hard to go wrong with a classic. Plus, hard-sided cat carriers provide a bit more safety for our kitty friends and tend to be much more durable than other materials. This cat carrier comes with a front and top entry to help convince your cat to get in. It also provides tons of air ventilation via the sides, front, and top, so your pet won’t get stuffy. Plus, this carrier is easy to cart around with the handle on top.

This cat carrier should be fine for plane travel, but the company does recommend checking with the airline for dimension requirements first, just in case.

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10. SERCOVE Special Soft Pet Carrier

The stylish SERCOVE Special Soft Pet Carrier is also practical and safe. The zipper design features automatic locking teeth and (according to the company) won a national design patent certificate. The frame has been thickened to provide more durability and safety, while the material is scratch-resistant. There’s plenty of mesh that allows your cat to see the world, and there are also three ways for kitty to get in—front, side, or top.

This cat carrier is airline-approved for most airlines and easy to travel with as you can attach it to your luggage or carry it with the shoulder strap.

Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Cat Carrier in Australia

There are so many cat carriers out there that you shouldn’t have trouble finding the best one for your cat. But to find that perfect fit, there are a few things you should consider.

Durability

No matter the materials used in making a cat carrier, they should be durable enough to withstand travel and time. Certain materials are more durable than others (plastic or metal), and some carriers will come with materials that are scratch-resistant to help prevent your little escape artist from clawing their way out.

Entry

Getting a feline in and out of a cat carrier isn’t always an easy task. That’s why many cat carriers now come with multiple ways to load your cat. You know your pet the best, so decide if a top, front, or side entry will be most suitable. And, if you have multiple kitties, getting a carrier that has all three may be extremely helpful.

Size

Clearly, the most vital thing to take into consideration when looking for a cat carrier is whether or not your pet will fit into it. Carriers come in all sizes, so be sure to check out the dimensions listed for the product to see if it’s large enough for your cat, and read some reviews to see if the dimensions listed are what they say they are. Your cat should be able to move about comfortably inside (at least enough to turn around or change positions). Also, check for the maximum recommended pet weight. If your pet is over the weight that’s recommended, the carrier could break and hurt them.

Ease of Cleaning

Some kitties get motion sickness while traveling, which can result in them throwing up. If that happens to your pet, you’ll want to have a carrier that’s a breeze to clean. Check if the insides of the carrier are easy to wipe down or whether the inside bottom can be taken out so you can toss it in the wash. Even if accidents don’t happen, you’ll have to clean the cat carrier every once in a while, so it doesn’t start to stink, so make the job as simple for yourself as possible!

Safety Features

Traveling with our cats can be nerve-wracking since we want them to stay safe. That’s why it’s important you take a look at what safety features come with the cat carrier you’re eyeing. Items that increase safety include locking zippers, metal snaps or buckles, scratch-resistant materials, ways to buckle in the carrier, leash attachments, and reinforced frames. No matter the method of travel, you want your pet to have the safest ride.

Airline Approved

If you’ll be flying with your cat, you need a cat carrier that’s airline-approved. You’ll also want to see if it’s approved for under-seat travel, so you can keep your pet close, or if it will only be allowed in the cargo area with the luggage. Even if a cat carrier says it’s airline-approved, double-check with the airline to make sure it meets travel requirements.

Price

Price is always a consideration, especially since cat carriers can get a bit expensive. Luckily, there are plenty of cat carriers available for lower prices that have the same or similar features as more expensive ones.

Reviews

Reading reviews other cat parents have left behind is a must. Brands don’t always advertise products as they really are, so reviews will give you a much more honest opinion on whether a carrier is suitable for you.

Conclusion

When you want the best overall airline-approved cat carrier, you’ll want to look at the PetAmi Airline Approved Premium Pet Travel Carrier, as it comes with plenty of safety features while still being a comfortable ride. For the best value cat carrier, consider the Paws & Pals Airline Approved Pet Carrier—though it’s built for smaller kitties, it contains a reinforced frame and light-reflecting strips to keep your pet safe. Finally, if you want to transport your pet in style, you should consider the Purrpy Airline Approved Pet Carrier for Cats, as it comes with several safety features and is super cozy for your pet.

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Featured Image Credit: zoegayah, Unsplash