Ulhas Sukhare ·
Updated January 6, 2025
We recently wrote about purchasing the right carrier when transporting your cat. Before that, we offered advice on the best GPS pet trackers available in the market today. Continuing in the same fashion, here’s our selection of the best cat backpacks as we get ready for the summer of 2025. But first, a few words of advice for the many people who’ve never bought a cat backpack before.
What Qualities Do I Look For When Browsing Cat Backpacks?
Is it your first time carrying a cat on your back? You’re not alone. Here are some of the most important qualities you’ll want to look out for when contemplating a purchase.
- Practicality: Where’s the little fluffy critter going anyway? Taking her on a hike might require one type of backpack. A trip to the vet necessitates a completely different one.
- Comfort: We all know how picky cats can be. Make sure the backpack provides the level of comfort it’s used to or you’ll be returning it sooner than you think.
- Convenience: Pockets and straps! A quality backpack can’t have enough of either. You never know which accessories you’ll need to secure on any given day.
- Materials: You’ll want the backpack to be made of strong, supple fabrics, durable enough to resist a reasonable amount of scratching.
- Ventilation: Finally, the key feature of a cat backpack is the way it manages the airflow. Make sure it keeps the humidity to a minimum and the temperature within comfortable limits.
2025’s Best Cat Backpacks
And finally, here are some of the best and most thoroughly-reviewed cat backpacks on the market.
9. PETKIT Breezy 2 Backpack
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a cat backpack more innovative than this model from PETKIT. Like many backpacks it has a dome-shaped design and a large bubble window. What sets this pack apart is that it has a built-in light and fan to keep your kitty comfortable during its voyage.
The shock absorbing back plate keeps the animal safe and secure, while the light gram material makes it easy for you to schlep your cat around the airport — yes this backpack is approved as a carry-on.
Dimensions:
Height: 18″
Width: 13″
Depth: 12″
Weight Limit: Under 17 pounds
8. LCP Cat Carrier Backpack Bubble Bag
LCP stands for Life Changing Products, and this cat backpack definitely earns that title! This bubble backpack is different from others on the market — not simply because it expands, but just how much additional space this feature adds!
The backpack is made from Oxford fabric, polyester and faux leather, giving it a modern, chic appearance that’s extremely durable. The big window gives your feline friend a great view of the surroundings and has large air holes for ventilation. Despite the expandability of this backpack, it’s approved for air travel. the backpack comes with a removable mat for easy cleaning and a pet security leash.
Dimensions:
Height: 16.5″
Width: 12.2″
Depth: 11.4″
Weight Limit: Up to 13 pounds
7. PetAmi Premium Pet Carrier Backpack for Travel & Outdoor Use
This durable bag can be swung low in one hand or hitched on your back. Either way, it’s surprisingly light for its size! At 16 inches in height, it just fits into the size requirements of most major airlines. The durable construction means you’ll barely feel the weight lugging your spoiled little fluffy monster around. The mesh panels offer a decent range of vision, and the price is surprisingly low.
The interior is lined with material to keep your cat cozy, while padded shoulder straps and a waist buckle are features for your comfort. The included collapsible water bowl is a nice touch but is mostly intended for dogs.
Dimensions:
Height: 16″
Width: 11.5″
Depth: 9″
Weight Limit: Up to 8 pounds
6. Midwest Day Tripper Cat Backpack
A sturdy design and compact size makes the Midwest Day Tripper Cat Backpack ideal for air travel with your cat! The backpack is designed to comply with most major airline regulations, plus it has mesh ventilation and a roomy padded interior to keep your kitty comfortable.
The backpack has cushioned shoulder straps and a buckled waist strap for your own comfort. Safety features of the Midwest backpack include an internal leash and sturdy metal zippers to keep ambitious cats at bay. The biggest drawback of this carrier is that it’s only able to accommodate pets under 10 pounds. We love that this backpack includes a built-in water bottle holder!
Dimensions:
Height: 16.9″
Width: 14.6″
Depth: 10.8″
Weight Limit: Up to 10 pounds
5. Apollo Walker Pet Carrier Backpack for Large/Small Cats
This roomy carrier is so big that it barely deserves to be called a backpack. It’s great for the huskier cats, and will even fit a small dog if you have one. The mesh sides provide excellent ventilation and the padding is as soft as they come. The frame is collapsible, so even this massive backpack can be stored under an airplane seat.
Dimensions:
Height: 16.8″
Width: 12.6″
Depth: 11.4″
4. Pecute Cat Backpack with Tunnel
Pecute’s cat backpack is certainly the most unique entry on our list! In addition to providing a cozy space for transportation, the extendable mesh tunnel adds plenty of space for your cat to stretch its legs!
It’s made of breathable materials and has several entrances, making it easy to load a cat into the backpack. There’s a top zipper so the cat can stick its head out. Steel rods along the top part of the backpack give it a sturdier frame than most other cat backpacks.
Dimensions:
- Height: 16.9″
- Width: 13″
- Depth: 10.6″
- Tunnel Length: 19.7″
- Tunnel Height: 10.2″
- Weight Capacity: 33 pounds
3. Lollimeow Fully Ventilated Style Back Pack
If ventilation is the number one quality you’re looking for in a cat backpack, look no further than this model by Lollimeow. This pet carrier is fully-ventilated with a three-sided scratch-resistant mesh design.
The top opening window allows you to pet and comfort the cat when it’s in the bag. If you have a skittish cat (and who doesn’t?), there’s an internal leash attachment, providing more security when the top window is open.
Dimensions:
- Height: 16.5″
- Width: 15.2″
- Depth: 11.4″
- Weight Capacity: 16 pounds
2. Kopeks Deluxe Backpack Pet Travel Carrier
Many of the backpacks on our list are for nothing more than giving your cat some fresh air. This Kopeks backpack however, is suited for recreation and travel. It comes in a small and large size, perfect for those of us with a jumbo-sized, roly-poly cat.
It’s approved by most airlines and set on wheels, so you can either roll it or carry it on your back. The carrier includes a telescoping handle, making it easy to maneuver around a busy airport. A strap handle provides a third way to carry the backpack.
Dimensions:
Small
- Height: 20″
- Width: 12″
- Depth: 13″
The handle adds 21″ in height to the small model when extended.
Large
- Height: 20″
- Width: 17.5″
- Depth: 13″
The handle adds 22″ in height to the large model when extended.
1. Lollimeow Cat Bubble Backpack with Clear Window
We love the clever design of this Lollimeow cat backpack because of its versatility. The large bubble window gives kitty a clear view of its surroundings — the window can be expanded for additional space inside the pack.
Lollimeow’s backpacks offer great ventilation — this model has nine separate holes that provide plenty of fresh air. The backpack is approved for many airlines
Dimensions:
- Height: 16.5″
- Width: 12.5″
- Depth: 14″ — expands 3″
- Weight Capacity: 13 pounds for cats, 10 pounds for dogs
