10 Best Cat Carriers for Nervous Cats in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

One of the most difficult tasks of a cat owner is to take their pet to the vet because most cats hate carriers and often scratch and claw frantically to get out. It can be challenging to find one suitable for your cat that will keep them calm while you travel.

We have reviews of 10 cat carriers for nervous cats and will discuss the pros and cons of each model. We’ve also included a short buyer’s guide discussing what makes a good carrier for nervous cats.

Keep reading while we look at the size, durability, openings, and more to help you make an educated purchase.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Sherpa Airline-Approved Cat Carrier	Soft faux lambskin Spring wireframe Adjustable strap	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Necoichi Collapsible Cat Carrier	Plenty of ventilation Folds away for storage Lightweight	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Sherpa on Wheels Cat Carrier	Machine washable liner Padded carrying straps Wheels	CHECK PRICE
Best Cat Carrier for Difficult Cats		Official Pet Carrier of JetBlue Airlines	Lightweight Washable interior pad JetBlue-approved	CHECK PRICE
For Scared Cats		Prodigen Airline Approved Pet Carrier	Durable Waterproof Comfortable	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Cat Carriers for Nervous Cats

1. Sherpa Deluxe Airline-Approved Pet Carrier Bag – Best Overall

The Sherpa Original Deluxe Airline-Approved Dog & Cat Carrier Bag is our pick for the best overall cat carrier for nervous cats. It has mesh sides that allow plenty of ventilation and let your cat see what’s happening around them. If your cat would rather not see, you can cover the side to obscure their view while leaving the top open so they can get plenty of ventilation.

The faux lambskin is incredibly soft and provides a comfortable surface for your cat to rest, and it has a spring frame that allows you to fold it up for easy storage. It also includes an adjustable strap that you can carry in multiple ways.

The Sherpa Original Deluxe has plenty of room for your cat to move around. The only problem we noticed was that if you have a cat that sprays, it can be difficult to remove the odor.

2. Necoichi Ultra Light Collapsible Cat Carrier Bag – Best Value

The Necoichi Ultra Light Collapsible Cat Carrier Bag is our pick as the best cat carrier for nervous cats for the money. Its large shopping bag design makes it easy to get the cat in and carry. The polyester material is extremely durable, and the large cat face screened cutout provides plenty of ventilation. In addition, it’s lightweight at only 1 pound, and it folds away for easy storage.

Although the Necoichi carrier is easy to carry, it’s not as durable as some of the other models.

3. Sherpa Ultimate on Wheels Pet Carrier Bag – Premium Choice

The Sherpa Ultimate on Wheels Dog & Cat Carrier Bag is our premium choice carrier for a nervous cat. It’s a long, rectangular carrier with open sides for plenty of ventilation. It gives your cat an excellent view of the surroundings, but you can also close it if your cat prefers more privacy. It has a machine-washable liner and locking zippers, so it won’t accidentally open while transporting the cat.

It also has wheels that make it much easier to move, especially if you have a larger cat, and padded straps make it more comfortable when carrying it. The Sherpa Ultimate is attractive and is useful for taking your cat for a walk around town. The primary downside is that despite being long, it’s a little small for larger cats, and if your cats urinate in it, the urine can reach places that are difficult to clean.

• See also: 10 Best Cat Beds — Reviews & Top Picks

4. Official Pet Carrier of JetBlue Airlines – Best Cat Carrier for Difficult Cats

The Official Pet Carrier of JetBlue Airlines is ideal for difficult cats. It only weighs 2 pounds and has three mesh panels for improved ventilation and visibility. The interior has a washable pad, which is helpful if your nervous cat has an accident on a trip. It also has an adjustable shoulder pad and five pockets to keep cat supplies.

If you have a large cat, like a Maine Coon or Savannah, you’ll need to find another carrier. This JetBlue carrier only comes in one size, which fits average-sized cats and tiny dogs. It’s ideal if you only use it for flights and short road trips, but most cats need more room to be comfortable. Also, some customers mentioned that the material had a strange chemical smell and suggested airing it out for a few days before using it.

5. Prodigen Airline Approved Pet Carrier – Best Cat Carrier for Scared Cats

The Prodigen Airline Approved Pet Carrier is our pick for the best carrier for scared cats. It’s a soft and cozy bag that will help your cat feel secure, and the durable material is waterproof. You can close it up so your cat can’t see their surroundings to help them feel less scared.

The Prodigen Pet Carrier is also more attractive than most models and is comfortable to carry. The downside is that it’s not too sturdy and is a little floppy, and it can sag down onto the cat’s head. It will also collapse if your cat jumps on it, and it has a chemical smell inside the bag that your cat might not enjoy. Another problem is that it’s a little small and may not be suitable for cats of all sizes.

6. K&H Mod Capsule Pet Bag – Best Carrier for Cats Who Hate Carriers

The K&H Pet Products Mod Capsule Dog & Cat Carrier Bag zips together and is easy to use. The removable mesh door allows you to convert the carrier into a bed. It includes a soft pillow, so it will be more comfortable for your cat, especially when compared to other carriers.

The downside of the K&H Pet Products carrier is that it’s quite expensive and can be cumbersome to carry long distances. The zippers are also loose and open easily. We would have preferred locking zippers.

7. Jespet Soft-Sided Sport Dog & Cat Carrier Bag

The Jespet Soft-Sided Sport Dog & Cat Carrier Bag is a comfortable bag that includes a fleece mat that provides a more comfortable space for your cat to help them relax. It’s an attractive bag with storage pockets to keep extra treats and other supplies you might need.

The primary downside of the Jespet is that it’s a little small and may not be suitable for some cats. It also has a bad plastic smell that may be too strong for your cat.

8. Jespet Dog & Cat Carrier Backpack

The Jespet Dog & Cat Carrier Backpack features a unique backpack design that is comfortable and easy to carry. The large mesh door provides plenty of ventilation and lets your cat see what’s going on. If you can’t wear it on your back, you can use the convenient handle to carry it.

The downside to the Jespet Dog & Cat Carrier is that its small size will not suit all cats. Also, the zipper is flimsy and doesn’t move smoothly.

9. Petmate Soft-Sided Dog & Cat Carrier Bag

The Petmate Soft-Sided Dog & Cat Carrier Bag features a two-door design that makes it easier to get your pet in. The material is durable and features a PVC backing. It’s attractive and is ready for airplane travel. It allows plenty of ventilation and visibility, which can also keep your cat calm.

The downside to Petmate is that the zippers don’t lock, and if you have a rambunctious cat that is persistent in escaping, they can get out by pushing on it, which will open the zipper.

10. Pet Gear Signature Dog & Cat Car Seat & Carrier Bag

The Pet Gear Signature Dog & Cat Car Seat & Carrier Bag is the final cat carrier on our list of reviews, but it has some features you might need. It’s machine washable, so it’s easy to keep clean. The mesh design provides your cat with plenty of ventilation and visibility. It also comes with a fleece pad to make it more comfortable, and you can use it as a carrier and as a car seat.

The primary downside is that it’s surprisingly heavy for its size and can be hard to carry. It’s also difficult to secure in a car and isn’t as durable as other models. The small size of the carrier may make it unsuitable for larger cats.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Carrier for Nervous Cats

Next, we’ll discuss the most important factors to consider before choosing a cat carrier for nervous cats.

Size

Size is one of the first things you want to consider when picking your next carrier. Unfortunately, there is no right size because it depends on the size of your cat. Most cats don’t like to travel, and their behavior can be erratic. While they’re in the car, your cat will likely try to escape, but once you get into the vet, they will try to hide and use the carrier as cover.

When choosing your next carrier, choose a model with enough room for your cat to turn around but not so much that they can fall over or tumble around while you carry it.

Openings

Another thing you will want to consider is how many openings the carrier has. Nervous cats will know what you intend to do as soon as you touch the carrier. Nervous cats often run and hide and will do everything they can to avoid going into the carrier. More openings and larger ones will make it easier to get your cat inside because you’ll have more options.

Ventilation and Visibility

Ventilation is essential in your cat carrier because your cat will be excited and require more oxygen. However, adding ventilation will also increase your cat’s visibility. Some cats are more afraid when they can see what is happening, while others are just the opposite and feel trapped in a space with little visibility.

Easy to Clean

Some cats may have an accident if they get too scared. If that happens, you will need to clean it, and some carriers have tucked-away corners that are hard to reach. If you cannot clean it, your carrier will continue to smell like urine. Some carriers have a machine-washable liner, which makes them much easier to clean as long as the urine can’t get around it. We’ve tried to point out any brands that were difficult to clean on our list.

Hard vs Soft Sides

Most traditional carriers have hard sides, but they can be uncomfortable and even cause an injury if your cat does too much tumbling around. Hard carriers can also be challenging to carry. Soft-sided carriers are becoming more popular, and they are more like backpacks or shopping bags with supports to keep them sturdy and zippers to keep them closed. We recommend the soft-sided models because they are more comfortable for you and your cat. It’s easier to carry the cat with a shoulder strap or in a backpack, and our cat is more likely to remain calm because you will be closer.

Our Best Cat Carriers for Nervous Cats Selection Process

The cat carrier we reviewed in this article were chosen by PangoVet’s writers and editors, in collaboration with our experienced veterinary team, based on personal experience with the product, knowledge and expertise about the pet’s care needs, brand reputation, and reviews across multiple retail outlets from other customers that have purchased and used the product. The combination of these factors allows us to gather a wide range of information to help you choose only the best cat carrier and ensure you have the most accurate information about these products to promote proper care, health, and well-being of your beloved pets.

Why Trust PangoVet?

PangoVet’s licensed and experienced veterinarians have a knowledge base that extends to all kinds of pets—furry, scaly, and feathered—and want only the best for pets of all shapes and sizes. We also have experienced writers and editors who are pet owners with a variety of different pets, and we love our pets as much as you do. We recognize pets as part of our family. We make sure to only choose products from reputable brands highly rated by customers as well as products that we have personal experience with, to ensure that every cat carrier featured in this review is high-quality and safe for your pets.

Conclusion

We highly recommend the Sherpa Original Deluxe Airline-Approved Dog & Cat Carrier Bag if you have a nervous cat. It’s a large carrier with soft sides and plenty of ventilation to help your cat from feeling trapped. It’s soft and comfortable, with an adjustable strap that makes it easy to carry. Another smart choice is our pick for the best value. The Necoichi Ultra Light Collapsible Cat Carrier Bag is lightweight and folds away for easy storage. It has an attractive shopping bag design that’s easy to carry and provides your cat with visibility and a place to hide.

We hope you have enjoyed reading these reviews and found a few brands you would like to try out. If we have helped make trips to the vet go a little easier, please share this guide to the best cat carriers for nervous cats on Facebook and Twitter.

• Related read: How to Get a Cat into a Carrier: 9 Proven Methods That Actually Work