Last updated Mar 23, 2023
What To Look for When Buying a Cat Carrier for 2 Cats
Choosing the right double carrier for your cats is a worthwhile investment, since a good carrier provides your cast an extra level of security and can help make travel less stressful for both you and your cats. But what makes a good carrier?
When you go to the pet store or looking online there are a wide variety of carriers soft sided, hard plastic, colorful, big, little, cloth, and much more. How do you decide?
Here are some of the things that you should look for when buying a double cat carrier. The first thing to look for is safety. You want your cats to be safe and secure inside the carrier.
Much like cat beds, the carrier must be durable enough that it does not budge while travelling. Therefore you should look for carriers that are sturdy and have a reliable construction. Another thing to check under safety category is how securely you can lock the carrier. You don’t want your cats to escape, especially when travelling in the air.
Some carriers feature zips while other carriers feature the old fashioned locks. The next important thing that should come to your mind is comfort for your cats. Travelling can be quite an upsetting experience for cats especially when they have to sit in cramped spaces for long periods of time.
Ideally the carrier size should be about 1.5 times the size of your cat. You don’t want it to be so small that your cats feel stuffed, but you don’t want it be so large either that your cats tumble around and feels like they are on a roller coaster ride.
It should be the perfect size so that your cats can sit, stand and move around a little. If your cats don’t are not too fond of each other, some double cat carrier come with a partition, so that each of your cat can have their own private space.
Another equally important feature is the ventilation provided in the carrier. Being in a small space for extended periods of time, the body heat will make the carrier hot. So your carrier must have adequate openings for passage of air.
Prefer those ones that have reticular walls instead of solid walls. Now comes extra features that you should keep in mind. The first is a comfortable sleeping bed for your cat.
After that comes food trays and extra pockets for carrying treats and medications for your felines. The carrier should be easier to lug around. It should have comfortable handles as well as straps that don’t put too much strain on your back, especially since you are carrying two cats.
Look out for carriers that come with side as well as top loading. Your carrier should not give any foul smell by itself. Avoid those with plastic and paint odors. Your pets may defecate in the carriers, so they must be easy to clean.
Soft carriers score big on this front as most of them are machine wash friendly. And the last thing that should be checks is obviously storage. After a long trip, your cats will definitely not want to see the carriers, so pick one that can be conveniently stored in your drawers or garage.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Double Cat Carriers
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
SturdiBag Extra Large Flexible Height Pet Carrier
- Lightweight but durable construction
- Made from 600 denier polyester
- Sturdy base and 4-point padded shoulder strap
PPOGOO Large Pet Travel Carriers
- Made from waterproof materials
- Large mesh panels for improved airflow
- Zipper locking clips for security
PawHut 39” Soft-Sided Portable Dual Compartment Pet Carrier
- Durable oxford cloth and steel frame construction
- Two compartments are fully detachable
- Padded bottom and hammock in each compartment
Necoichi Portable Stress Free Cat Cage and Litter Box Set
- Roomy cat hotel with pop-up litter box
- Hotel has two large mesh panels for ventilation
- Side panels roll down for added privacy
One for Pets Fabric Portable Kennel, 2-in-1
- Three ways to use as a double or single carrier
- Includes a washable pad and hammock in each compartment
- Zippered mesh door and front for breathability and access
The Best Double Cat Carriers Reviewed
#1 Overall Best: SturdiBag Extra Large Flexible Height Pet Carrier
As our top pick for the best double cat carrier, this soft-sided carrier from STURDI is durably constructed from 600 denier polyester. Choose from six different colors including black, blue, tan, and more.
With a platform base to provide stability and a roomy interior, this carrier is great for carrying large cats or two smaller cats. It weighs just 3.6 pounds, and the adjustable 4-point padded shoulder strap will help distribute your cats’ weight evenly for optimal comfort. A zippered center divider enables you to keep your cats separated or you can unzip it to create one large space.
In addition to being very comfortable to use, this double cat carrier offers safety features to keep your cats contained. Zipper locking clips ensure security for your feline friends and there are seatbelt safety straps as well to keep the carrier secure in the car.
What We Liked:
- Lightweight but durable construction
- Made from 600 denier polyester
- Sturdy base and 4-point padded shoulder strap
- Zipper locking clips for added security
What We Didn’t Like:
- Center divider doesn’t remove entirely
- Base is not waterproof
#2 Runner Up: PPOGOO Large Pet Travel Carriers
If you’re planning to take your cats on a plane, this airline-approved carrier might be a good option. With its 22-pound capacity and roomy interior, it may work for two kittens or smaller cats but might not be ideal for very large cats, especially for an extended flight.
This pet carrier is made from waterproof material with large mesh panels to facilitate airflow. The floor features firm padding to provide plenty of support and the suitcase-style carrying handle makes it easy to transport. You also have the option of using the adjustable padded shoulder strap. When not in use, this carrier folds flat for simple storage.
Though this carrier is fairly large, a lot of interior space is vertical rather than horizontal. Your cats may be more comfortable sitting up than lying down, and it may not fit all the way under the seat on the plane. It’s also worth noting that while the mesh material provides plenty of airflow, this carrier may not stand up to claws and teeth, but it does have zipper locking clips for security.
What We Liked:
- Made from waterproof materials
- Large mesh panels for improved airflow
- Zipper locking clips for security
- Suitcase-style carry handle and adjustable shoulder strap
What We Didn’t Like:
- 22-pound capacity may not work for large cats
- Most of the interior space is vertical, not horizontal
#3 Premium Pick: PawHut 39” Soft-Sided Portable Dual Compartment Pet Carrier
If you’re willing to spend a little more for sturdy construction and thoughtful design, this double carrier from PawHut is a great option. Constructed from oxford cloth with polyester netting and a steel frame, this carrier is built to last.
The PawHut dual compartment pet carrier is specifically designed for transporting two small pets. With the steel frame, it’s a little heavier than other models (about 10 pounds) but it folds flat with carrying handles for easy storage. If you only need to transport one cat, you’ll be glad to know that the two compartments are fully detachable and can be used separately.
This carrier offers a number of unique features. Each compartment contains a soft cushion bottom and a hammock to give your cat two comfortable options. Mesh windows provide plenty of circulation and there is a zippered mesh door on either end for easy access.
One of the downsides of this carrier is that it works best for small cats under 9 pounds. It’s also worth noting that when the two carriers are detached, they are prone to collapsing without the center arch support.
What We Liked:
- Durable oxford cloth and steel frame construction
- Two compartments are fully detachable
- Padded bottom and hammock in each compartment
- Mesh windows with zippered netting doors for access
What We Didn’t Like:
- Somewhat pricey around $110
- Limited use when two compartments are separated
#4 Best Bang For The Buck: Necoichi Portable Stress-Free Cat Cage and Litter Box Set
Traveling with a cat can be tricky because not only do you need a carrier to transport your cat, but you need to think about how your cat will use the litter box. This Necoichi set comes with all your cat travel essentials including a roomy cat hotel and a portable litter box.
While the cat hotel isn’t intended for carrying your cat, it does give you a safe and secure way to contain your cat when staying in a hotel. The hotel features large mesh side panels for airflow with built-in seatbelt straps. Because the hotel has limited structural support, however, you may not want to use it for containment in the car.
If your cat becomes anxious during travel, he may appreciate that the two side panels can be rolled down for privacy. The portable litter box is somewhat small, but it fits inside the cat hotel and the entire kit folds flat for easy transport and storage.
What We Liked:
- Roomy cat hotel with pop-up litter box
- Hotel has two large mesh panels for ventilation
- Side panels roll down for added privacy
- Entire kit folds flat for storage and transport
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not functional as a carrier, not recommended for use in the car
- May not stand up to claws and teeth for anxious cats
#5 Best Durable: One for Pets Fabric Portable Kennel 2-in-1
Durability is essential when it comes to keeping your cat safe and secure. The One for Pets 2-in-1 double kennel and carrier is a pricey pick, but you get what you pay for. Though this is a soft-sided carrier, it is designed to maintain its shape and the materials from which it is made are durable.
What makes this carrier unique is that there are three ways to use it. To transport two cats separately, you can use it as a double but divided cat carrier. If your cats prefer to share a space, you can unzip the center divider dividing the compartments. A third option is to separate the double carrier into two separate carriers, each with its own handle.
This carrier is lightweight for its size, weighing just over 7 ½ pounds. Each compartment features a zippered mesh front and door for breathability and easy access. The pad cover is removable and washable and there are built-in seatbelt straps for security.
What We Liked:
- Three ways to use as a double or single carrier
- Includes a washable pad and hammock in each compartment
- Zippered mesh door and front for breathability and access
- Pegs for security to ground and seatbelt straps
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive, priced around $185
- No locking zippers, not ideal for anxious cats
Airline Requirements for Cat Carriers
Airlines are very strict when it comes to cat carrier regulations. Make sure to follow them if you don’t want to risk leaving your cats behind. The carrier must be large enough for cats to sit, stand and move around. The carrier must be made from rigid materials. The floor must be solid and leak-proof. Handles must be present along the length of the carrier.
A secure locking mechanism is a must. Water and food bowls must be attached to the front door and be refillable from the outside without opening the door. Ventilation on a minimum of 2 sides for domestic flights and 4 sides for international flights.
There can be ventilation on the roof, but the strength must not be compromised. The carrier cannot have wheels. And lastly, the carrier must have LIVE ANIMAL STICKERS and pet’s name and owner’s contact information.
Hard-Sided or Soft Sided?
Hard sided and soft sided carriers have their own advantages and shortcomings. While soft carriers may be more convenient if you are taking your pets as a carry on and for short trips, whereas hard carriers are beneficial if you will be checking your pets into the pet hold, and especially for extended duration traveling.
Soft-Sided Carrier Pros
- Well ventilated
- Easy to carry
- Fit under most airline seats
- Convenient storage pouches
- Easy to clean, most are machine wash friendly
- Removable mats
- Easy to store
Soft-Sided Carrier Cons
- Not very rugged
- Cat may be able to tear through the materials or open the zippers
- Collapsible
- Airlines may not approve them
Hard-Sided Carrier Pros
- Durable and reliable construction
- Provide better protection than soft-sided carriers
- Food and water trays
- Larger capacity
- Most are airline approved
Hard-Sided Carrier Cons
- Heavy and can be a burden when carrying
- Hard to clean
- Difficult to store
Very helpful advice. My 2 female cats are both over 20lbs, tall with big-boned frames and both, hate to be caged for any reason. Last time, I attempted to place them in carriers, the elder cat bit me and it was a deep, nasty bite. Preparing to move, I’m forced to cage them and afraid! Biggest reason I can’t use hard plastic carriers is the cats will push & push, the metal door repeatedly, with their noses and mouths until they bleed. I must research and find a safe, mild, sedative for them as caging them causes such extreme anxiety & upset. I leave the carriers out with doors open & inviting soft blankets inside. I even leave treats inside. Nothing makes my cats enter any cages. They’re smarter than me ,faster & meaner and they;re mind-readers…ugggghhh…
Any tips would be much appreciated for this feline issue!
Hi Mattie, thanks for commenting. It sounds like you’re doing just about everything (outside of medication) recommended to help your cats feel comfy with the carriers and they just aren’t having it! I can’t make a recommendation in terms of medication, but I would advise that you contact a vet and describe your situation so that they may prescribe something that can help to soothe them. Short of medication, you may consider a synthetic pheromone product like Feliway. Sprayed in the carrier, this may be able to help your kitties to feel a bit calmer.