Traveling With Your Cat: Best Cat Carriers With Litter Box

We all know that taking a cat on the road can be a bit of a hassle.

Even if it’s just a quick ride to the vet, conventional cramped and rigid cat carriers as a means for transportation can be very uncomfortable for your cat. Not to mention that they’ll be equally as difficult for you to carry or store away.

Behold, you have some great portable cat carrier options that can make traveling with your cat as easy as can be! Think of it as a cozy temporary home for your cat, equipped with her litter box, toys, and even some room to spare for moving around and grooming.

My Top Picks

Coopeter Luxury Soft-Sided Expandable Pet Carrier (Large Enough to Fit Most Trays)

Considering the comfort and safety of your cat, as well as the ease of carrying and storing it away on your end, my top choice of a cat travel carrier that can accommodate a litter box is the Coopeter Luxury Soft-Sided Expandable Pet Carrier. This product stole my heart with its clever, aesthetic design and durable material – it has expandible mesh compartments on both sides for extra room, but it can also be collapsed to become a conventional comfy soft-sided carrier. It can be easily secured to car seat belts and even be strapped onto wheeled suitcase handles. Although it doesn’t come with its custom litter tray, it is large enough to fit most trays.

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Necoichi Portable Stress-Free Cat Cage and Litter Box Set (Comes With Its Custom Litter Tray)

If you want to go for a carrier that comes with its custom litter tray, my top choice is the Necoichi Portable Stress-Free Cat Cage and Litter Box Set.

This is a wonderful product that can serve as a temporary home for your cat. The only issue is that this crate is not a conventional carrier that is suitable for hand-carrying with a cat inside. It is more like a little tent that is useful for car travel or outdoor trips.

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Below you’ll find a selection of the best portable cat carriers with litter boxes, and the best disposable litter trays to use in cat crates especially when you are on the road with your cat. You can also find out about great tips on how to make the experience of traveling with your cat safe, easy, and dare I say… fun!

Choosing The Best Cat Carrier With Litter Box

When choosing a travel crate for your cat on extended trips, there are some essential things to keep in mind to ensure the comfort and safety of your cat.

Here’s what I had on my checklist when gathering my selection of travel carriers for cats:

• Size: The carrier should be spacious and comfortable for your cat.
• Practicality: The crate should be easy to carry, easy to store away, easy to place, and easy to clean.
• Safety: The crate should be well-ventilated, secure, and durable for the comfort and safety of your cat.

Most cat crates do not come with litter boxes, however, there are some amazing pet crate options for comfortable travel with your cat in which you can place a litter box if you want to.

These include a range of portable, expandable, and collapsible carriers that can easily accommodate litter boxes, food bowls, toys, and of course, your cat!

Carriers That Come With Their Custom Litter Tray

Necoichi Portable Stress-Free Cat Cage and Litter Box Set (Spacious)

This is one of the few cat-specific crates on the market that includes its custom litter box.

Necoichi Portable Stress-Free Cat Cage and Litter Box Set can very easily serve as a temporary dwelling for your cat in situations such as traveling, staying somewhere else, moving houses, etc. It is collapsible and has a carrying bag for convenient and neat storage.

Dimensions: 31.8x20x20 inches.

Pros

Cons

Confote Outdoor Collapsible Portable Cat Crate (Custom Litter Tray + Food Bowl)

This is similar in design to the above-mentioned Necoichi cat cage, however, it is more suited for the outdoors. It comes with hooks that secure it to the ground like a tent. It also comes with its custom litter tray and food bowls.

Confote Outdoor Collapsible Portable Cat Crate is useful for when you’re enjoying the outdoors or a car trip with your cat, but it’s not convenient to use as a conventional carrier to carry in your hand when your cat is inside.

Dimensions: 26x16x15 inches.

Pros

Cons

Travel Crates That Can Accommodate a Litter Tray

Coopeter Luxury Soft-Sided Expandable Pet Carrier (Top Choice)

This one doesn’t come with a litter box but it can easily accommodate most disposable litter trays like the Pet Fit For Life.

The two expandable openings at its sides are durable mesh that provides good airflow and offers your cat an unrestricted view. What I like about this carrier is that it has a practical and aesthetic design.

Dimensions: 17.7x11x11 inches (when collapsed).

Pros

Cons

Maskeyon Airline Approved Collapsible Pet Carrier (Expandable)

The Maskeyon carrier is quite similar to the Coopeter crate in design – it is expandable on both sides but the Maskeyon’s extensions are curvy and smaller. However, its collapsed size is a bit bigger than the Coopeter.

Like the Coopeter, the side openings are made of mesh, giving your cat an unrestricted view of the outside. It is practical, secure, and easy on the eyes!

Dimensions: 19.5x12x12 inches (when collapsed), carries up to 20 lbs.

Pros

Cons

SportPet Designs Car Seat Pet Crate, Pet Tube Kennel (Spacious)

This one is a sturdy, large crate that is suitable for car travel. It is made up of two segments and can accommodate two medium-sized cats comfortably, with room to spare.

It is mostly covered with mesh and both sides are sturdy entrance gates. You should be aware that this crate is not for hand-carrying. It works best for long car trips where there is lots of room in the car.

Dimensions: 45.25×17.25×18.25 inches.

Pros

Cons

One for Pets 2 in 1 Fabric Portable, Double Pet Shelter (Fully Collapsible)

This crate resembles the SportPet one as it is made up of two segments and is very spacious. Its design is curved and its mesh openings are smaller, but there is still sufficient airflow.

I like this crate especially because the two segments are attached with zippers and you may choose to remove one half and use it as a conventional crate that can be carried by hand. You essentially end up buying two crates that can merge into one.

Dimensions: 39x20x20 inches (when attached).

Pros

Cons

Petseek Extra Large Soft Sided Portable Cat Carrier (Good for Hand-carrying)

Although this carrier is a lot larger than most conventional carriers, it is not an expandable one. I wanted to mention this product in my selection because it is a dependable, durable carrier that is very large without being expanded.

If you need to place a litter tray inside it, it can accommodate a small-sized cat (or a kitten) and smaller portable litter trays such as the Pet Fit For Life Collapsible Portable Litter Box or the PetLike Cat Travel Collapsible Portable Litter Box – both of which I’ll be writing about below. Without a litter tray, it can hold two medium-sized cats comfortably, with room to spare. If you are looking for a comfortable, large, sturdy, and an aesthetic carrier that is also suitable for hand-carrying, this is a great option.

Dimensions: 24×16.5×16 inches, weight 8 lbs & carries up to 55 pounds.

Pros

Cons

Portable Litter Trays to Put in a Cat Carrier

As you’ve probably discovered, you have two options: either get a cat crate with a custom litter box (where your options are very limited) or insert a litter tray into one of the many convenient crates listed in the selection above.

If you go for the latter option, you can use any kind of litter tray as long as it fits in the crate and leaves enough room for your cat. However, portable litter trays are better suited for this purpose because they are usually smaller in size, easy to clean, leak-proof, made of durable soft material, and some of them are even disposable.

Here is a selection of portable litter trays that are most suitable for placing in travel crates and taking on the road with you:

Petleader Collapsible Portable Foldable Litter Box (Top Choice)

This portable litter box has a zipper that closes it up completely.

This way, you can remove it from the crate, zip it up, and keep it in the car without having to clean it out. The covered litter box also allows you to carry it with litter in it.

Dimensions: 15.7×12.6×4.9 inches.

Cons

Kitty’s Wonderbox Disposable Litter Box (Disposable)

This one is a disposable litter tray and you can buy it in bulk (three or six). One tray lasts for up to 4 weeks, so it’s very durable. It makes the cleaning process very simple because you can throw it away after a couple of weeks and use a brand new one.

It is fully biodegradable, made from recycled paper. Recycled paper as a material shouldn’t fool you – it doesn’t tear or leak! The material allows air inside to keep the litter fresh and dry.

Dimensions: 13.5x17x3.5 inches

Pros

Cons

Pet Fit For Life Collapsible Portable Litter Box (Foldable)

The Pet Fit For Life is a simple, durable portable litter tray that comes with its custom collapsible water bowl. It is not very large so it can fit comfortably into all of the travel crates mentioned above.

It can be cleaned easily and folded to a very small size.

Dimensions: 15x11x5 inches.

Pros

Cons

Misyue Collapsible Foldable Portable Waterproof Litter Tray (Different Size Options)

This one is very similar to the Pet Fit For Life tray, but it’s considerably larger. I must say that I also love the design better.

I’ve given you the link to the large version, but there is also a medium-sized one – which is still larger than the Pet Fit For Life tray. It is durable, sturdy, and the material is leak and tear-proof.

Dimensions: 17.7×13.8×4.9 inches.

Pros

Cons

PetLike Cat Travel Collapsible Portable Litter Box (Small Size)

This is a simple portable litter box made from durable waterproof material. It is fairly small-sized so it can fit into most travel crates with no problem and leave a lot of room for your cat.

It cannot be zipped up and closed off when not in use, but it is very easy to clean. You can fold it easily and throw it in your bag!

Dimensions: 16x12x5 inches.

Pros

Cons

Coopeter Portable Foldable Litter Carrier (Easy to Carry)

This product is essentially a portable hooded litter box that is made from durable nylon. It is not a litter tray that can be fitted into another carrier.

I wanted to include it in my selection because it may be useful if you already have a carrier that you like and you just want to buy a portable, closed off litter box. It has a very clever design that allows you easy access by sliding its tray out when scooping. Your cat can enter it from the top opening and you can choose to leave the top open for ventilation.

Dimensions: 17.7x11x11 inches.

Pros

Cons

What to Consider When Buying a Cat Carrier with a Litter Box?

I have briefly mentioned above 3 essential criteria when evaluating cat carrier options, which are size, practicality, and safety. While these cover the basics, they can be extended to cover additional functions that you may choose to look for in your search for the ideal cat carrier!

Size

Spacious: While a carrier should be large enough to accommodate your cat comfortably, it can be larger still so that there is room for extra movement and things like her litter tray. Some travel crates – which you’ve seen above in our selection – are expandible from both ends, which gives your cat extra room when the crate is set down. If you are inserting a litter box into the carrier, there should be enough space in there for your cat to sit and move beside the litter tray.

Comfortable: You should also make sure to get one that is appropriate for your cat’s size. For instance, standard crates may not provide enough room for large breeds such as a Maine Coon. I would even recommend getting a very large crate even if your cat is relatively small-sized. It can’t hurt to have more room.

Practicality

Easy to carry: The carrying handles and straps should be comfortable for you to carry securely. I’ve even mentioned in my selection a couple of crates that can be fastened to wheeled suitcase handles.

Easy to store away: While the size of the carrier should be large, having a collapsible one can help a lot on your side. This way, you can store away the carrier in your car or at home quite easily.

Easy to place: Some travel crates are compatible with car seats; they can be buckled up easily to ensure that the crate stays in place. Some crates are also airline-approved, meaning that they are the appropriate size for the cabin and that they can also be fitted into plane seats. You can consider these factors depending on your method of travel.

Easy to clean: The material of the carrier should be easy to clean and durable to cleaning often. Since there’ll be a litter box in there, it is bound to get kind of messy with litter scatter. Your cat may also misuse the litter tray, spill food, or drool from stress.

Safety

Ventilation: Good ventilation is important for your cat’s comfort and health. Since there’ll be a litter box in the crate with her, it is paramount that the crate has sufficient airflow. This will hinder the build-up of odors inside the crate. Lots of openings on the crate also ensures that your cat can see her surroundings which will soothe and distract her.

Durable: The material should be able to endure your cat’s movements while she’s in there, like scratching or biting. The straps and seams should be strong to avoid any tears when being carried around with the weight of your cat. If there are any unnoticed tears or broken parts, this may cause spontaneous problems – like your cat tearing it further and breaking out of it unexpectedly.

How to Travel With a Cat?

The first step in ensuring a problem-free experience is to have your cat get used to her carrier beforehand. Cats can be carrier-trained to have a good relationship with their carries through your encouragement involving positive reinforcements, an easy-going attitude, and a bit of patience.

Once you’ve established a positive engagement with her carrier, you can focus on the specifics of the trip and pack the necessary items with you.

Things You Should Bring

Food and water: Depending on the length of your trip, bring along more than enough food and water with you. Keep the food sealed well and in the shade to prevent it from going bad or getting stale. I would recommend dry food when on the road because it will be easier to serve, it will smell less, and is less likely to make a mess. However, if your cat loves her wet food, there is no problem in taking that with you too. Keep her water in the shade so that it doesn’t get warm and renew it often.

Treats: Treats are a must. They will distract your cat if she gets agitated and will help in forming positive associations with the trip. You should choose treats that you know your cat already likes. For instance, catnip just doesn’t do it for my cat, so I wouldn’t depend on a catnip flavored treat if we were to go on the road.

Favorite toys and objects: Just like treats, toys can be a great distraction. You should make sure to bring the ones that she loves. If she has a favorite blanket that she likes to sleep on, bring that for sure. If being combed soothes her, bring along her comb. Long story short, bring along anything that you know has the power of distracting or soothing your cat whenever she is anxious.

Litter scoop and trash bags: Don’t forget the scoop and the trash bags because you’ll likely have to clean her litter box along the trip. Make sure you keep her litter clean and don’t let any waste sit in there for too long. Since your cat is going to be spending time close to her litter tray, it’s very important to keep it as fresh as possible. Don’t forget, you are also going to be in the car with the litter, and keeping it clean will keep foul odors at bay.

Extra litter: There’s no harm in bringing extra litter with you, even if your trip is short. You may need to replace it more often than you’d think.

How to Prevent Your Cat From Getting Agitated

Utilize her treats and toys: Don’t forget to use the treats and toys you’ve brought with you. These will be welcome distractions for an agitated cat.

Create a soothing atmosphere: Cats are super-empathic and your mood can transfer to your cat very easily. Make sure that your traveling conditions are nice and tranquil. This means no loud, disruptive noises, no sudden breaks as much as you can avoid them, and no sensory factors that can affect her negatively. This includes temperature too!

Stop every 2-3 hours: Cats are known to get motion sickness and the constant motion of the car may agitate her. You should stop as much as you can along the way to let your cat enjoy some stillness and fresh air.

If your cat is leash-trained, you can get her out of the carrier and let her walk and stretch her legs unrestricted. Getting fresh air and some exercise will restore your cat’s mood.

Don’t overfeed your cat before a trip: This will help in avoiding motion sickness and nausea, as well as having her use the litter box less. I’m not saying starve your cat before a trip – just a couple of hours without food will be enough to keep her stomach calm.

Consult your vet about possible medications: You can ask your vet about nausea and stress medications that may be suitable for your cat. There are also several calming herbs as wells as pheromone products such as Feliway that can calm your cat down when she is agitated – although I would strongly recommend you to talk to a medical professional before you go ahead and administer these things to your cat.

Safety Measures

Should I let my cat roam free in the car? I wouldn’t recommend letting your cat out of her carrier inside the car because there can be some safety concerns. If she gets too anxious, she may become jumpy. She may distract the driver, or worse, block the driver’s sight, block the gas or brake pedals, the gear shift, or the steering wheel.

If you’ve had experience on the road with your cat and can count on her being calm and happy outside the carrier, you can choose to block off the back seats with something like a net and keep her in that area. If your cat is used to it, you can also choose to use a leash that you hold at all times but keep fairly limp as long as she is calm and steady.

Do not open the windows of the car if your cat is outside her carrier. Even if she doesn’t go near them, you should never count on it.

How should I place the carrier inside the car? If you are traveling in a car, placing the carrier safely and securely is crucial. First of all, try not to place the carrier in the front seat. This is because passenger seats have airbags in front of them, which can be dangerous for an animal if it inflates. Having the carrier in the front seat may also be distracting for the driver.

You should place the carrier on the back seat and buckle it up. Most of the carriers on my selection above have straps and clips to facilitate this. If your carrier can’t be attached to the car seat belts, you may consider placing it on the ground in front of the back seats. Although this may restrict your cat’s vision, it will be safer than being placed on the seat without a secure attachment. This is because an unattached carrier may topple forward if the drive makes a sudden break.

You should also make sure that the carrier is securely closed so that your cat doesn’t climb out of it unexpectedly.

CONCLUSION

Yes, traveling with your cat can become a nightmare – but it doesn’t have to! The key lies in getting a good, spacious, comfortable carrier, and if it’s a long trip, a practical portable litter tray that she can use easily. These two can often go together, creating a cozy temporary dwelling for your kitty on extended trips.

Cats can get used to lots of things if you can manage to make it a positive experience for them. So having her in a comfortable setting, keeping her environment safe, clean, and tranquil, as well as offering her plenty of fun distractions will yield the best results.

Investing in a good, comfy travel crate and a portable litter tray will benefit both of you tremendously because think about it – if you can get your cat to enjoy these activities, you can get to do more of them in the future!