Best Pet Carriers for Cats and Dogs

Updated October 23, 2026

Pet carriers cover a wide range of use cases -- airline travel, vet visits, hiking, and everyday errands -- and no single carrier is the right choice for all of them. The five options compared here span soft-sided everyday carriers, an airline-focused design with a massive buyer base, a backpack carrier built for outdoor use, and a large-format carrier for cats and dogs over 15 pounds.

The most important decision in this category is matching the carrier to your primary use case. Airline travelers need a carrier that fits under the seat in front of them and has secure, reliable zippers -- the consequences of a zipper failure at 30,000 feet are different from a failure on the way to the vet. Buyers who hike or bike with their pets need a structured backpack carrier with a rigid frame that distributes weight evenly and keeps the animal secure on uneven terrain. Buyers with large cats or small dogs over 15 pounds need to prioritize internal dimensions and weight ratings over airline compliance, since standard underseat carriers are not designed for heavier animals.

On any soft-sided carrier, the zippers are what keep your pet inside, so they are worth checking before every flight. For high-frequency airline travelers, that matters more; for occasional vet trips, it is less of a concern. The Vceoa and Cat Dog Carriers Soft-Sided options are our top picks, while the Henkelion is the budget airline carrier.