A wheeled cat carrier can be a handy investment if you have an especially heavy cat or need to wheel your cat for travel purposes, like through an airport. But a wheeled cat carrier is a monetary investment, and few things are more frustrating than making an investment into a product that quickly wears out and ends up costing you even more money to replace. Reviews are a great way to know the quality of a product and how well that product will suit your needs, so we’ve found the best cat carriers with wheels to make it easier for you to select the perfect product.
The best overall cat carrier with wheels is the Sherpa Ultimate on Wheels Dog & Cat Carrier Bag, which can accommodate cats up to 22 pounds. It includes four wheels with 360-degree swivel functionality, a padded handle, and a detachable pull strap that doubles as a shoulder strap. It has plenty of mesh paneling for good airflow, but also has roll-down flaps to keep your kitty feeling secure and hidden. It has locking zippers and a rear storage pocket, allowing you to carry your cat’s items easily. It features a machine washable, faux lambskin pad for maximum travel comfort. It also includes a cute “pet on board” flag that lets everyone around you know that your pet is in the bag. The one notable downside of this bag is that the pull strap is fabric and doesn’t have a solid component, so it isn’t as easy to use as a solid pull handle like those on luggage.
Pros
Weight limit is 22 pounds
360-degree swivel wheels
Padded handle and detachable pull/shoulder strap
Mesh paneling with roll-down flaps for privacy
Locking zippers
Includes a storage pocket
Faux lambskin liner is machine washable
“Pet on board” flag
Cons
Pull strap doesn’t have any type of solid framing
2. Pet Gear I-GO2 Sport Cat Backpack & Rolling Carrier – Best Value
The best cat carrier with wheels for the money is the Pet Gear I-GO2 Sport Dog & Cat Backpack & Rolling Carrier, which has a weight limit of 15 pounds. However, the manufacturer states that if your pet comfortably fits into the carrier, then they are an appropriate size regardless of weight.
This cat carrier can function as a backpack or rolling carrier with a telescoping handle for easy use. It also has a detachable padded shoulder strap, allowing you to carry it like a regular cat carrier. The included pad is removable and washable, and there is a built-in tether to keep your cat secure. It has two side pouches for your cat’s supplies and multiple mesh panels for good airflow. This budget-friendly option also has reflective trim, making it a good pick for low-light environments.
Pros
Can accommodate pets that comfortably fit, regardless of weight
The premium pick for wheeled cat carrier is the Katziela Luxury Lorry Dog & Cat Carrier, which has a weight limit of 22 pounds. It can be used as a regular carrier or a rolling carrier, and the wheels are removable to fit airline travel size requirements. It includes a cozy fleece bed and mesh paneling for breathability. The telescoping handle extends up to 35 inches and the padded shoulder strap is removable. It has lockable zippers and multiple zippered pockets for storage. It also has a name tag slot, like one you’d find on your own luggage. This bag sells for a premium price, so be prepared to shell out a little more for this wheeled cat carrier.
Pros
Weight limit is 22 pounds
Wheels are removable
Cozy fleece bed is removable
Mesh panels for breathability
Pull handle telescopes up to 35 inches
Detachable shoulder strap is included
Locking zippers
Built-in name tag slot
Cons
Premium price
4. Lollimeow Pet Rolling Cat Carrier – Best for Kittens
The Lollimeow Pet Rolling Carrier is the best pick for kittens because it allows for privacy and security when needed. This rolling carrier doubles as a backpack and has a weight limit of 15 pounds, making it great for small kittens. It’s waterproof and made from high-quality, attractive fabric, giving it a stylish backpack appearance. The telescoping pull handle extends to 20 inches and the backpack straps are padded for comfort. There is an enclosed storage layer for the backpack straps to tuck into while using this as a rolling carrier to ensure the straps don’t tangle in the wheels. It has storage pockets, mesh panels, and a roll-down flap to help your kitten feel secure when needed and retain heat, keeping your kitten cozy. It has a cozy, faux fur pad and internal tether to clip to your kitten’s harness.
Although this carrier is listed as airline approved, it may be too large to fit underneath the seat in most airline cabins.
Pros
Functions as a backpack and rolling carrier
Waterproof, high-quality fabric
Telescoping pull handle extends to 20 inches
Padded backpack straps and storage layer to tuck straps into
The Pettom Pet Rolling Carrier Backpack is available in two color options and can be used as a backpack, normal carrier, or rolling carrier. It includes seatbelt straps for use in a car and folds flat when not in use. It has multiple storage pockets and mesh panels for breathability. The weight limit is 17 pounds, making it an appropriate size for the majority of cats. The interior tether keeps your cat secure during travel and the wheels provide a smooth, silent ride.
This wheeled carrier does have the wheels on the long side, so it is wider while being pulled than many other options, as opposed to most wheeled carriers that stick out further behind you but are less wide to the side. The frame support of this carrier isn’t as strong as some other options, which may cause the bag to collapse in on heavier cats.
Pros
Two color options
Can be used as a backpack, normal carrier, and rolling carrier
Seatbelt straps keep it secure in a car
Folds flat for storage
Weight limit is 17 pounds
Multiple storage pockets
Interior tether clips to your cat’s harness
Wheels operate smoothly and quietly
Cons
Wheels on the long side mean this carrier sticks out to the sides further than many other options
May collapse in on heavier pets
6. ibiyaya 4-in-1 EVA Collapsible Dog & Cat Carrier
The ibiyaya 4-in-1 EVA Collapsible Dog & Cat Carrier is a hard-sided carrier that is covered in a layer of fabric and has a weight limit of 17.6 pounds, so it’s a good size for most adult cats. It’s available in three colors and can be used as a backpack, carrier, rolling carrier, and car seat. It folds down almost flat when not in use for easy storage and can be folded up with one hand. The pull handle is made with a multistage telescoping design and there are plenty of mesh panels for airflow. The sturdy wheels make for easy maneuverability. This rolling carrier is not accepted by many airlines due to its size and shape, so it’s not a good option for air travel.
Pros
Weight limit is 17.6 pounds
Three color options
Can be folded almost flat with one hand for storage
The KOPEKS Detachable Wheel Dog & Cat Carrier is available in three colors and has a detachable, padded shoulder strap. It can be removed from the hard base, and the wheels are detachable. It has multiple mesh panels, fold-down flaps for privacy, and a storage pocket. This carrier has a telescoping handle attached to the rolling base and is easy to maneuver. It includes an interior tether and carrier pad for comfort. The weight limit on this carrier is only 9 pounds, making it a poor option for most adult cats. It’s not recommended for use with pets that tend to chew, so it may not be secure for a cat that chews or scratches at its carrier interior a lot.
Pros
Three color options
Hard base and wheels are detachable
Multiple mesh panels with fold-down flaps
Includes a storage pocket
Has a telescoping handle attached to the hard base
Interior tether clips to your cat’s harness
Includes a carrier pad for comfort
Cons
Weight restriction is 9 pounds
Not recommended for cats that chew or scratch the interior of their carrier
8. Petsfit Rolling Pet Carrier with Removable Wheels
The Petsfit Rolling Pet Breathable Carrier with Removable Wheels has a weight limit of 28 pounds, making it a great option or large or multiple cats. It has mesh panels, storage pockets, and can be detached from its rolling base. The 360-degree swivel wheels are detachable from the base and there is a telescoping pull handle connected to the base. The overall size of this carrier will give your cat plenty of space to move around for comfort. This carrier is not airline approved and is not recommended for any type of air travel by the manufacturer. Some people find the zippers to not be very secure, making this a poor pick if your cat is prone to escaping its carrier.
Pros
Weight limit is 28 pounds
Mesh panels for breathability
Has storage pockets
Hard base and wheels are detachable
360-degree swivel wheels
Has a telescoping handle attached to the hard base
Lots of space
Cons
Not airline approved
Manufacturer doesn’t recommend it for any kind of air travel
Zippers may not be secure for escape artists
9. SportPet Designs Large Double Wire Door Plastic Kennel
The SportPet Designs Large Double Wire Door Plastic Kennel is approved for cargo airline travel and is sturdy enough for the largest cats. It has an included separator, allowing you to keep two cats in their own space. The doors open from the front, allowing you to open one side of the carrier with the divider in. It includes attachable food and water bowls and live animal stickers, as well as metal bolts and nuts and tie down holes to meet air travel requirements. The wheels snap on and off for convenience and there is a telescoping pull handle. This carrier is much larger than most wheeled carriers, so it isn’t approved for airline cabin travel. Always check airline requirements before attempting to fly with two pets in the carrier, even with the separator in place, as this may not be allowed.
Pros
Sturdy and large
Includes a separator and front-open doors
Includes food and water bowls and “live animal” stickers
Includes all nuts, bolts, and tie down holes required for airline cargo travel
Wheels snap on and off
Telescoping pull handle
Cons
Too large for airline cabin travel
Two pets may not be allowed in the carrier depending on airline cargo requirements
10. Petpeppy.com Expandable Pet Carrier with Wheels
The Petpeppy.com Premium Expandable Pet Carrier with Wheels has a detachable hard base with a telescoping pull handle and detachable wheels. It has multiple mesh panels and expandable side panels that increase the width of the carrier by 1.8 times. It has a removable faux fur pad and a removable padded shoulder strap. The detachable wheels have 360-degree swivel for easy maneuverability. There are storage pockets for all of your cat’s necessities. The weight limit is 15 pounds, but many people report finding the overall size of this carrier uncomfortable for large cats, so it may not be a good pick for cats over 8 – 10 pounds. Although listed as an airline approved carrier, this carrier is actually too large for the cabins of many commercial airplanes.
Pros
Hard base and wheels are detachable
Has a telescoping handle attached to the hard base
Multiple mesh panels with expandable side panels
Removable faux fur pad and padded shoulder strap
360-degree swivel wheels
Storage pockets carry cat’s necessities
Cons
May be too small for cats over 8 – 10 pounds
May be too large for most airline cabins
Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Cat Carrier with Wheels
When choosing a wheeled cat carrier, your first consideration should be finding a carrier that is an appropriate size for your cat. The larger your cat, the more difficult it may be to find a rolling carrier that is appropriately sized. You also need to take into account what you’re planning to use the carrier for. Airlines have very specific requirements for cabin and cargo travel for pets, and these requirements can vary from airline to airline. Make sure you thoroughly investigate the requirements of your airline if you are choosing a wheeled carrier for air travel.
You should also consider the items you might need to store in the bag since not all wheeled carriers have the same size and number of storage pockets. Travel may require significantly more storage space than a trip to the vet. The same goes for the amount of space in the carrier itself. For longer travel, your cat may need space to move around, while that may not be necessary if your cat is only going to be in the carrier for half an hour.
