Are you looking for convenient yet practical cat carrier options that open from the top? You’ve come to the right place! From stylish soft-sided top-opening pet carriers, to traditional hard-sided, plastic carriers, wheeled options and more, check out our top picks for the best top-opening cat carrier options below.
Photo by ©iagodina via Canva.com
Our Selection Criteria
When selecting top-opening cat carriers for this post we were on the lookout for the following practical, cat-friendly travel features;
- Convenient to use with an easy-access top opening door
- Suitable for use in a variety of travel situations
- Comfortable for pets with an emphasis on safety
- Consistently high customer ratings and reviews
- Quality materials and durable construction with adequate ventilation
- Size options to suit a variety of cat breeds and sizes
- Easy to store when not in use
- Easy to clean
For the purposes of this post only traditional soft-sided and hard-sided cat carrier options were considered (not backpacks).
Best Cat Carriers That Open from The Top
Already know what type of top-opening cat carrier your kitty prefers? Feel free to skip ahead using the handy quick-links below;
Best Soft-Sided Cat Carriers That Open from The Top
For calm feline travelers, and for those looking for a soft-sided cat carrier that opens from the top, check out the options below.
Image via Sherpa
1. SHERPA Original Deluxe Airline Approved Pet Carrier
via Amazon
Size Options: Small, Medium, Large
Weight Limit: 8 lbs (Small), 16 lbs (Medium), 22 lbs (Large)
Construction: Quilted nylon
Dimensions: 15″x8.5″x10″ (Small),
17″x11″x10.5″ (Medium),
19″x11.75″x11.5″ (Large)
Key Features:
- Top and side entry options
- Locking zippers for safety
- All sizes approved for in-cabin use on most major domestic airlines
- Small and medium sizes are included in the 'Guaranteed On-Board' program
- Patented seatbelt/luggage strap
- Padded, adjustable shoulder strap
- Machine-washable lambskin liner
- Wooden stability board base with waterproof liner
- Zippered storage pocket
- 1-year limited warranty
- Large size is not included in the 'Guaranteed On Board' airline program
- Available in 1 color only
Image via Vceoa
2. VCEOA Soft-Sided Pet Carrier for Cats
via Amazon
Size Options: One size
Weight Limit: 16 lbs
Construction: Steel frame, nylon
Dimensions: 17.5”x11”x11”
Key Features:
- Budget-friendly price
- Top and side entry options
- Suitable for use in most airline cabins
- Removable solid base insert with hand-washable fleece pet mat
- Adjustable shoulder strap
- Lockable zippers for safety
- Zippered storage pocket
- Amazon #1 Best Seller in Cat Soft-Sided Carriers category
- No dedicated car seatbelt loop
- Only 1 size and color available
Image via Petisfam
3. PETISFAM Escape Proof Pet Carrier
via Amazon
Size Options: One size
Weight Limit: 16 lbs
Construction: Nylon, metal frame
Dimensions: 17″x11″x11″
Key Features:
- Top and side openings
- Approved for use on most major airlines
- Anti-escape zippers
- Adjustable shoulder strap
- Machine-washable carrier pad
- Dual luggage/seatbelt strap
- Collapsible for easy storage when not in use
- 3 colors available
- Only 1 size available
Image via Pet Gear
4. PET GEAR 360 Pet Safety Carrier and Car Seat
via Amazon
Size Options: One size
Weight Limit: 12 lbs
Construction: Steel, mesh
Dimensions: 20″x12″x18.5″
Key Features:
- Top-load carrier and carseat in 1
- Dedicated seat belt loops
- Zipperless, dual push button entry
- Provides 360 degree view for your pet
- Padded carry handle
- Includes a removable, washable liner
- 3 colors available
- Not suitable for air travel
Image via Sleepypod
5. SLEEPYPOD Mobile Pet Bed, Car Seat and Carrrier in 1
via Amazon
Size Options: Mini or Medium
Weight Limit: 7 lbs (Mini), 15 lbs (Medium)
Construction: Ballistic nylon
Dimensions: 13″ diam. x 5″ (Mini),
17″ diam. x 6.5″ (Medium)
Key Features:
- Easy-access dome top
- Carrier and crash-tested car seat in 1
- Dedicated seat belt tether point
- Machine-washable bedding inner
- The mini size is suitable for in-cabin airline travel (fits under most seats)
- Includes an adjustable shoulder strap, and padded handle
- Can be used as a pet bed with the mesh dome top removed
- 6+ colors available
- Medium size is not suitable for airline travel
Image via Diggs
6. DIGGS Passenger Pet Carrier
via Diggs
Size Options: One size
Weight Limit: 18 lbs
Construction: Not specified
Dimensions: 20″x 10.8″x 11.5″
Key Features:
- Convenient top and side openings
- 5-star crash test rating from the Center for Pet Safety
- Custom seat belt clips and a buckle strap for security
- Meets most airlines’ requirements for carry-on pet travel, also includes a luggage sleeve for suitacase handle
- Innovative waste management system with pee pad included
- Detachable cross-body strap
- 3 handy storage pockets
- 4 colors available
- Only 1 size available
Image via Petseek
7. PETSEEK Extra Large Cat Carrier
via Amazon
Size Options: Extra large
Weight Limit: 55 lbs
Construction: Polyester, metal frame
Dimensions: 24″x16.5″x16″
Key Features:
- Top and front access points
- Suitable for multiple, and large cats
- 3 locking zippers for safety
- Dedicated seatbelt loops for car travel
- Adjustable shoulder strap and carry handle
- Collapsible for easy storage when not in use
- Machine-washable fleece pet bed included
- Small side storage pocket
- 2 colors available
- Not suitable for airline travel
Image via Henkelion
8. HENKELION Cat Carrier
via Amazon
Size Options: Medium, Large
Weight Limit: 15 lbs (Medium), 25 lbs (Large)
Construction: Polyester
Dimensions: 17″x11″x11″ (Medium),
20″x13″x13″ (Large)
Key Features:
- Budget-friendly price
- Convenient side and top openings
- Stable wooden board base
- Foam layer with washable woolen mat
- Adjustable padded shoulder strap
- Medium size suitable for in-cabin use on some airlines (not all)
- Handy side storage pocket
- Collapsible for easy storage when not in use
- 6 colors available
- No dedicated car seatbelt loop
- Large size is not airline approved
- Neither size is approved for travel via Southwest or Alaska Airlines
Best Hard-Sided Cat Carriers That Open from The Top
For escape artists and cats that are prone to aggressive digging, scratching, biting, and chewing a traditional hard-sided plastic cat carrier might be more suitable. Check out our top picks for the best hard-sided top-opening cat carriers below.
Image via Petmate
9. PETMATE 2-Door Pet Kennel Hard-Sided Carrier
via Amazon
Size Options: 19″ and 24″
Weight Limit: 10 lbs (19″), 15 lbs (24″)
Construction: Plastic, steel
Dimensions: 19″x13″x10″,
24″x17″x14.5″
Key Features:
- Convenient top and front entry door options
- Both doors are constructed of strong steel
- Durable, ergonomic comfort-grip handle
- Top, side and back ventilation
- Highway travel compliant
- 4 colors available
- Manufacturer claims the carrier is approved for air cargo travel however, many reviewers claim that it was not accepted by airlines
Image via Amazon
10. AMAZON BASICS 2-Door Top-Load Hard-Sided Pet Travel Carrier
via Amazon
Size Options: 19″and 23″
Weight Limit: 11 lbs (19″), 20 lbs (23″)
Construction: Plastic, steel
Dimensions: 19″x12″x10″,
23″x15″x13″
Key Features:
- Smart, 2-door design
- Includes 4 locking clips + screws for additional security
- Top, side and back ventilation
- Convenient carry handle
- Not suitable for air travel
- Only 1 color available
Best Wheeled Cat Carriers That Open from The Top
For cat parents that struggle to carry traditional pet carriers, check out the convenient, highly-rated top-opening wheeled rolling options below.
Image via Ibiyaya
11. IBIYAYA Lavada Pet Transport Luggage Carrier
via Chewy
Size Options: One size
Weight Limit: 44 lbs
Construction: Aluminium, polycarbonate
Dimensions (carriage): 17.6″x21.6″x17.3″
Key Features:
- Convenient top-loading design
- Sturdy, spacious cabin guaranteed by a number of international safety standard tests for impact, drop, and weight resistance
- High-quality telescopic handle
- 4 aviation suitcase-grade 360-swivel wheels with brakes
- Small rear storage pocket
- Easy-to-clean surfaces with removable cushion
- 2 colors available
- Not suitable for airline travel
- No dedicated car seatbelt loop
Image via Ibiyaya
12. IBIYAYA 5-in-1 Pet Carrier
via Amazon
Size Options: One size
Weight Limit: 16 lbs
Construction: Plastic, vinyl
Dimensions (carriage): 20″x12″x13.5″
Key Features:
- Convenient top-load entry
- 5-in-1 design can be used as a shoulder carrier, wheeled carrier, stroller, backpack or car seat
- Hard bottom design with ventilation holes throughout
- Folds flat when not in use for easy storage
- Dedicated car seatbelt loop
- Large side zipper pocket
- 5 colors to choose from
- Only 1 size available
- May not be suitable for airline travel
- Some assembly required
Image via PetLuv
13. PETLUV 'Happy Cat' Soft-Sided Carrier and Stroller
via Amazon
Size Options: Small and Medium-Large
Weight Limit: 15 lbs (small),
45 lbs (medium-large)
Construction: Canvas
Dimensions: 13″x20″x13″ (small),
16″x24″x16″ (medium-large)
Key Features:
- Front, side and top-load entry points
- The medium-large size is available as a wheeled option, stroller, or shoulder carrier
- Padded top carry handle + adjustable shoulder strap
- Large side storage pocket
- Dedicated seatbelt loops
- Locking zippers
- Folds flat when not in use
- Washable cushion included
- 4 colors available
- Small size is not availble on wheels or as a stroller
- Not suitable for air travel
Image via Petsfit
14. PETSFIT Rolling Pet Carrier with Removable Wheels
via Amazon
Size Options: One size
Weight Limit: 28 lbs
Construction: Not specified
Dimensions: 26.5″x14″x17.5″
Key Features:
- Convenient side and top zipper openings
- Removable platform with telescopic handle
- Can be used as a traditional carrier or as a rolling carrier on wheels
- Removable washable inner cushion
- Collapsible for easy storage
- Lockable zippers
- 2 colors available
- Only 1 size available
- Not recommended for air travel
For tips on getting your cat used to their new carrier, check out this handy article from Petfinder. Similarly, if your pet is particularly fearful of travel, you may find the below read helpful;
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