7 Best Cat Backpack Carriers for Everyday Use (2022)

If you’re lucky enough to have a cat that likes to travel, we hope you take full advantage of it! A cat backpack is a great way to take your cat on all sorts of adventures, from hiking in national parks to cycling through city parks. And if your cat is more of a homebody, it’s still a great way to transport him to and from the vet (especially if you don’t have a car). 

Comparison Table of Top 3

What Is the Best Cat Backpack?

We took advantage of some great return policies to personally try out a number of popular backpacks on our own cats. We also scoured review sites, consumer feedback, and veterinary recommendations to get a good consensus. Based on safety, comfort, style, and price, our pick for Best Cat Backpack is the PetAmi Deluxe Pet Carrier. 

The PetAmi Deluxe is an incredibly sturdy and well-made backpack that will support your pet while keeping you comfortable and confident. It has everything you need for a great outing- multiple entry points, great ventilation, and pockets for your gear (or treats).

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7 Best Cat Backpack Reviews In 2023

As cat lovers, we know how important it is to make sure they feel safe and comfortable in their environment. Have you ever tried to chase down a cat that doesn’t want to get in his carrier? It’s a fight you probably won’t win. So we know that you need to find the BEST backpack on the first try; your cat won’t give you many chances. Here are our top 7 picks:

1. PetAmi Deluxe Pet Carrier Backpack – Best Cat Carrier Bag

The PetAmi Deluxe Backpack is the best way to carry your cat around in style. With a luxurious sherpa-lined bed and extra room to move around, this truly is a “deluxe” carrier. It features multiple sturdy mesh windows to give your cat good airflow and visibility while on the go. You can access her via two full-zip side entrances, and you’ll know she won’t escape when you use the safety buckle and attached leash. 

But she isn’t the only one that should be comfortable! This is both a good cat carrier as well as a good backpack. Their shoulder straps are well-padded, and the mesh backing keeps you dry on hot days. There is also a padded carrying handle if you don’t want to wear it as a backpack. 

One thing we really like about this carrier is that it comes with a waist strap, so all the weight isn’t put on just your shoulders. 

Features: Reinforced mesh-window backpack carrier, dual side entry, sherpa-lined bed base, padded shoulder straps, chest strap, waist strap, mesh backing panel, nine color options, durable polyester materials, 18lb advertised capacity

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2. PetAmi Premium Pet Carrier Backpack – Most Budget Friendly

If you want a more budget-friendly version of our top choice, check out PetAmi’s “Premium” Backpack instead. It’s very similar to the deluxe model but is designed for smaller pets and has slightly fewer luxury features. 

As far as your cat is concerned, there won’t be much difference though. This still has the cozy sherpa bed at the base, zip-up mesh windows and great airflow. Side pockets help you store treats or your personal effects, and the included water bowl is handy on the go. 

Features: Advertised capacity of up to 12 lbs, folds flat for storage and travel, padded shoulder straps, waist and chest straps, waterproof materials, 7 color options, sherpa bed, includes water bowl, multiple pockets

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3. AntTech Breathable Pet Travel Backpack – Best Bubble Backpack

How cute is this bubble backpack?? For cats that want a more unobstructed view than the mesh panels allow, you should try this bubble carrier instead. 

It’s designed for cats 10lbs or less and features ventilation holes, a comfy washable bed at the base, and multiple entry points for access to your pet. Small dogs also love this carrier! 

Like the first two carriers on our list, this one also includes security measures to ensure that your crafty kitty can’t make an escape. 

Features: Bubble backpack, padded shoulder straps, transparent cover, waterproof design, elastic security lock, 11 lb weight capacity, velvet washable bed, built-in leash, transparent window

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4. Blitzwolf Pet Portable Carrier

If your cat wants a REALLY unobstructed view, check out the latest offering from Blitzwolf. This carrier boasts a fully-transparent acrylic design that is basically a floor to ceiling window for your critter. Cats can sit or lie down and still enjoy a great view. 

The carrier has good padding on its straps and good built-in safety features like the elastic buckle and ventilation holes. The bed is soft and washable. It comes with two multi-purpose bowls and carabiner clips as well. And of course, it’s waterproof so you don’t need to worry about your cat reacting poorly to the rain. 

Features: Fully transparent front bubble window, scratch-resistant acrylic and oxford cloth, security lock, padded straps, multiple ventilation holes, soft washable velvet pad, included bowls and carabiners

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5. Petsfit Backpack

This carrier features a slightly different take on the soft-sided mesh backpack design. The bag is mostly solid all around but has a top that opens up into a tent-like mesh opening for your cat to look out from. 

The material is high-quality EVA & PU mesh with multiple ventilation openings as well. There’s an internal tether to keep them safely inside the pack if you want to fully open the top as well. 

Mesh sides for well-ventilated rides and allowing them the comfort to see freely without feeling cramped inside a cage with one tether inside to secure your pets. For pets up to 15 pounds.

Features: Zip-top mesh carrier bag, side pockets for gear, collapsible top canopy, side mesh panels, carrying handle and padded straps, waist belt and chest strap, PU & EVA materials, up to 15 lb weight limit

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6. Texsens Innovative Traveler

Here’s another carrier that offers unparalleled views for your pet. With almost 360-degree mesh paneling, your cat will be able to see everything going on in the world behind you. This also means he will enjoy excellent airflow and ventilation, which makes it great for hot or temperate climates. 

You can unzip the mesh panels on each side and also the top, while also making use of the attached safety leash. We like that this can fit on most major airlines as well, so it’s a good option for distance travel. 

Features: PVC mesh carrier, almost fully transparent visibility, three zippered entry points, safety leash included, scratch-proof, padded shoulder strap, moisture-wicking back panel, carrying handle

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7. Fat Cat Backpack Carrier – Best for Heavy Cats

As the name implies, this is the carrier for your big boys and girls. The Maine Coons. The diet-aversive. If you need to carry a 19 lb cat somewhere, this is probably the bag you want. It has the most internal space of all bags on our list. 

It also has well-padded shoulder straps and a chest strap to help you stay comfortable while carrying your pet. It can be belted into the seat of your car as well while holding its shape securely. 

You can choose between interchangeable mesh or bubble windows for your cat, which is also helpful for different travel situations. And it’s a handy feature if you have multiple cats who may prefer different experiences. 

Features: Mesh or bubble carrier, holds up to 19.5 lbs, safety clip for leash inside, side pockets, adjustable straps, top opening, comfortable mat at the base, good stability

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How to Choose a Cat Backpack

When you’re buying a backpack to carry your cat, you want to keep a few things in mind. It should be a space that is both safe and comfortable for your cat but is also comfortable for the person doing the heavy lifting. Before we take a look at our favorite products, let’s review the most important elements of a good cat backpack:

Bubble Backpack or Carrier Bag?

If you’ve spent any time looking into cat backpacks by now you’re familiar with the two main types of bags: carrier bags and bubble packs. Carrier bags look similar to traditional cat carriers, but with the added component of backpack straps. 

Bubble packs, on the other hand, are usually hard-sided and feature a prominent transparent dome window for the cat to use. 

Size 

You definitely want to make sure that your cat will fit comfortably inside whichever backpack you choose. This is the same consideration you would make when selecting a non-backpack carrier as well. 

Your pet should be able to move around a bit and ideally lie down as well. She should be able to sit upright without being squished. Trust us, if your cat isn’t comfortable, nobody will be comfortable. You may also like the best backpack with shoe compartments here.

Materials

As far as materials are concerned, you want something that can support the weight of your cat. More than anything else, the materials chosen need to be safe and secure or you risk a potentially tragic accident. 

The materials should be aligned in a way that provides enough structural integrity while in use so that it doesn’t collapse around the cat. Most bubble packs are hard-sided acrylic, while the mesh carriers are combinations of nylon or PU materials. Most should offer some form of waterproofing as well. You may also want to bring along the best hydration pack for running for extra water for you and your cat on long hikes.

Durability

To piggyback off of the previous category, the carrier needs to be durable. The materials should be high-quality and the stitching should be secure and reinforced at high-pressure points. 

Look specifically at the base of the carrier and the point where the pack attaches to the shoulder straps. Unless you’re handy with a sewing machine, a problem with the stitching could render the entire bag useless. 

Security

Outside of the security that comes from high-quality materials and construction, your cat backpack should include additional security measures to keep your cat from jumping or falling out. Any bubble windows should screw tightly into the frame. 

Zippers should not be able to be accessed by the cat inside. The best carriers have leashes or tethers that can be attached to the cat inside the pack as well. Cats are master escape artists and will definitely push the limits of any carrier you choose, so choose well!

Airflow

This is another safety consideration, but one you definitely don’t want to miss. Your cat needs to be able to breathe freely while inside the carrier, and it needs to have good airflow and temperature control to avoid overheating. Most carriers utilize either ventilation holes or mesh openings that don’t restrict airflow. 

Comfort & Ergonomic Support 

Last but not least, make sure the backpack is comfortable for you! If you will be wearing it for long periods of time, you’ll want it to have padded shoulder straps and possibly a hip belt or waist strap as well. 

A chest strap can be helpful for distributing weight over a broader surface and ensuring that the backpack doesn’t slip off your shoulders. Look for packs with carrying handles as well so that you have a backup option in case of discomfort or injury.

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What Is the Best Cat Backpack? – Final Thoughts

We absolutely love the idea of taking your cat on adventures and outings with you. As long as they want to of course! We’ve seen so many cool cats that go on hikes and camping trips with their owners. Sometimes even motorcycle trips! 

Cat backpacks can be such an awesome way to bond with your pet while having fun, and we are excited to help you choose the best backpack. We worked hard to provide you with some rock-solid options, both for carriers and bubble backpacks alike. 

But if you still aren’t sure which route to take, we recommend trying the PetAmi Deluxe. It’s been a slam-dunk with consumers and their feline companions and we know it will serve you well too. Safety and comfort are really the most important things for cat carriers, and the PetAmi Deluxe is truly top-of-the-line in those areas.