Best Cat Carrier on Wheels (for Difficult and Nervous Pets!)

Your pet might be anxious or dislike confined spaces. This is normal for the notoriously independent feline. But, traveling with a difficult or nervous cat can be made MUCH easier when you invest in the best cat carrier on wheels!

Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all product when it comes to buying a pet carrier. Much depends on your cat’s unique personality and what you need (as the owner) to make your traveling experience as comfortable and convenient as possible.

But, how can you be sure that a particular type of pet carrier will be the right choice for your cat? Well, there are specific characteristics to look out for in each make and model. So, in this guide, we’re going to look at the top cat carriers with wheels.

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What is the Best Cat Carrier for Difficult Cats?

What is the Best Cat Carrier for Difficult Cats?

It has to be the right size and have the appropriate safety features. On top of that, it needs to be comfortable for your kitty, or they won’t enjoy the experience. The harder it is to get your cat to like their carrier, the less likely you’ll be to want to travel with them in the future.

Thankfully, there are many different types of cat carriers to fit your needs. This guide will focus on products that are intended for anxious and stubborn cats. We’ll focus on pet carriers with wheels that you can take with you almost anywhere if you’re an avid traveler.

Finally, we’ll offer some tips on how you can get your cat used to a carrier to make the experience more comfortable for both of you.

Why Should I Choose a Cat Carrier with Wheels?

Because there are so many different types of cat carriers on the market, you might wonder how a carrier that has wheels could benefit you or your cat. It all depends on what kind of traveling you’re planning on doing with your pet.

Some of the most practical benefits include:

Carriers that roll make it easy for almost anyone to transport their cat from A to B. If you have a cat that’s heavy, or you don’t want to have to hold onto a crate for any length of time, wheels allow you to transport them with ease. They’re great for kids who want to ‘help’ by moving the cat, or seniors who can’t carry their cats for long periods of time due to arthritis or joint problems.
Some cats respond to consistent movement as it calms them down. The gentle movement of a carrier on wheels can be more soothing to them than the swinging motion of a traditional pet carrier that you wear over your shoulder or carry in your hand.
It allows you to be more hands-free and mobile. While you still have to pull the carrier, you can wear another bag over your shoulder and have your other hand free, too. It’s the perfect solution for people who are always on the go or frequent travelers.

What to Look for in the Best Cat Carrier for Nervous Cats

Both dogs and cats can be nervous about traveling or staying in a carrier for too long. But, cats have a reputation for being difficult. It needn’t be that way. By choosing the right carrier and getting your cat used to the experience, taking them to different places can be much easier.

You’ll typically have to choose between a hard or soft-sided carrier for your kitty. There are pros and cons to both options. It all depends on your cat’s personality.

Let’s take a look at each of them:

Hard carriers. These might be more uncomfortable for your cat. This is especially true if they like to move around a lot. But, they are usually more durable and can withstand a feisty cat.
Soft-sided carriers. These are more comfortable and can be easier to transport. But, many of them have mesh sides that cats can claw through if they get scared or angry. You know your cat’s personality the best. Their safety and comfort are your highest priorities.

So, keep those factors in mind when you’re deciding what type of carrier to look for, especially if your cat is anxious.

Why is a Cat Carrier on Wheels a Good Idea?

Carriers can be cumbersome to hold sometimes, especially if you have a larger cat. Our recommendation for the best cat carrier for a heavier cat is the Pet Gear I-GO2 Traveler Roller Backpack. Pet Gear is a trusted name in pet supplies, and this backpack is no exception.

It offers five different products in one convenient carrier. So, it’s great for cats who are nervous, cats who love being outside, or larger cats that can get heavy after carrying them around for a while. You can use the Pet Gear I-GO2 as a rolling carrier, a backpack for hiking or walking, a car carrier, a tote, or a traditional carrier.

Rolling carriers like this one are not only great for heavier cats, but they can make traveling with your cat in public places much easier. If you have to go to the airport or want to walk around in a building with your kitty, the rolling option makes it a breeze. Your cat will feel comfortable and safe, and you won’t have to feel any strain from carrying them around with your hands or arms.

The Pet Gear carrier is also an excellent choice for cat owners who are active or who want to take their kitty with them wherever they go. Even if you have a larger cat, using this carrier as a backpack helps to even out weight distribution. You won’t have to hold your cat’s weight with one hand/arm. This makes it easier to go on long walks with them.

Some extra benefits of this carrier include:

Mesh siding: This is one of the best safety and comfort features for your cat. The mesh sides allow your cat to get enough air flow through the carrier. This keeps them from overheating. It can keep them calm since they’re able to look out at their surroundings.
Easy to clean: If your cat goes to the toilet inside the carrier, it has a removable interior pad. The pad is machine-washable.
Storage pouches: Side pouches and pockets make it easy to carry small items like your wallet, keys, etc. You can also choose to carry some of your cat’s supplies like small treats or toys.

Best Cat Carrier for Two Cats

You want to choose something that will keep both cats safe and comfortable at all times. They also shouldn’t be crammed in together, so you’ll want something large enough that allows them to feel secure but gives them space.

When choosing a carrier on wheels for two cats, we recommend the Snoozer Wheel Around 4-in-1 Pet Travel Carrier. Like the Pet Gear I-GO2, this carrier is several products in one. It can hold one or two cats with a weight limit of up to 15lbs. So, if you do have smaller cats, they will be comfortable inside the carrier.

It can be used as a car seat, a rolling carrier, a backpack, and even a bed for your kitty. That makes it easy to travel with your cats by car. The Snoozer Wheel Around has many different safety features. It has been tested in the car seat position in crashes up to 30mph.

The Snoozer Wheel Around is also airline approved. That’s another advantage of being able to roll it around. When you’re walking through a busy airport carrying your luggage, you don’t have to worry about fumbling with a cat carrier.

Instead, you can wheel it behind you, and your cats will be safe and comfortable. This carrier features high-quality mesh sides so your cats will have plenty of ventilation and will always be able to see their surroundings.

Best Cat Carrier for Long Distance Car Travel

Sometimes, it’s easier to travel with your cat in the car than it is on a plane. Short trips to the vet or a friend’s house are common, and many different types of carriers can work for those instances. But, if you’re going on a long road trip with your feline friend, you want a carrier that does well in the car and can double up to meet your other travel needs, too.

Thankfully, both the Pet Gear I-GO2 and the Snoozer Wheel Around are great options for the car. They both convert into car seats that make it safe and comfortable for your cat to ride along with you.

The most important thing to consider when choosing the best carrier for your car is how safe it is. First, you’ll want to make sure the carrier can somehow be secured to the car seat. This is usually done with a strap or belt that can be attached to the seat or the existing seat belt. Some carriers also have an interior harness that will keep your cat from getting jostled around in the car.

You should never let your cat roam free on a trip in the car. You might think it’d be good for them to stretch out and walk around if you’re taking a really long trip. But, it’s dangerous for both you and the cat to let them out of their carrier. They may walk underneath the brake or gas pedals and could even cause an accident. Also, if someone opens the door during a pit stop, your cat could quickly dart out and run away.

By choosing the right carrier for car travel, you don’t have to worry about your cat being uncomfortable even on a long trip.

What’s the Difference Between a Cat Stroller and a Carrier with Wheels?

There are many different ways to transport your cat around. Choosing the right option depends on the kind of traveling you’ll be doing. Though the carriers with wheels listed in this article can be rolled around, they’re different from cat strollers.

Strollers for cats aren’t typically used for traveling. Instead, pet owners used them for walks. Many cats love being outside just as much as dogs, but it can be difficult to walk them on a leash. Choosing a stroller with mesh sides that allow them to look out at their surroundings will keep them happy and get them some fresh air!

So, if you’re trying to decide between a stroller or a carrier with wheels, consider what’s most important for you and your cat. If you want your kitty to be able to travel with you, you may be better off choosing a rolling carrier. If you want to take them for a walk in the park, a stroller might be your best option.

How to Measure Your Cat for a Carrier

When you’re choosing a carrier for your cat, it’s important to make sure they fit correctly. It’s easy to assume that choosing the smallest carrier available is going to be the right fit for any feline. But, that isn’t necessarily true. All carriers are sized differently. Most of them advertise by weight.

Unfortunately, a carrier that says it will hold a pet up to 15lbs still might not be the best option for your cat. It might be able to hold their weight, but if you have a tall or long cat, they won’t fit the right way, and it can be extremely uncomfortable for them. The goal is to have a carrier large enough for your cat to be able to turn around and lay down. But, it shouldn’t be so big that they get jostled around easily.

So, how can you make sure you’re choosing the right size when you’re deciding on a carrier? The best way to do this is to measure your cat and compare those measurements to the dimensions of different carriers.

To measure your cat correctly, you have to record their height and length:

To measure height, start from the floor and measure to the base of your cat’s ears.
To measure length, start at the tip of your cat’s nose and measure all the way to their tail.

While considering your cat’s weight is essential, it should never be the only factor that goes into choosing the best size for a carrier. When you compare your cat’s measurements to a carrier’s measurements, be sure to compare them to the inside of the carrier, not the outside.

How to Get an Anxious Cat Used to a Pet Carrier

Even if you end up getting the perfect carrier, some cats can be notoriously nervous or scared about trying it out. Don’t give up hope right away! The idea that all cats don’t like carriers is nothing more than a myth. But, it can take some time to get a nervous cat used to a carrier. If you do it the right way, though, your cat could end up loving their crate and want to be in it all the time.

With a little patience, they’ll learn to love it and be comfortable spending long periods of time inside. Once they can do that, it will make traveling much easier for you whenever you want to bring your kitty along.

Use these tips to get your cat used to a pet carrier:

Start by getting your cat used to the crate in a familiar area. Bring it into your home and leave it open and accessible for them. You may notice for a few days that your cat will get near the carrier but not go inside. Give them time to get used to it and understand that it’s something safe for them.
If they haven’t explored the inside of the crate after a few days, it’s okay to entice them a bit! Put one of their favorite toys or a small treat inside. If they can associate the carrier with something positive, they’ll be more willing to go inside.
Take your cat on shorter trips once they’re used to the carrier. Going around the block or downtown is a great place to start. If you have a carrier on wheels, try wheeling them around the house for awhile or down the sidewalk of your neighborhood. You don’t want the first time you use the carrier with your cat in it to be a long trip.
Never force your cat into a carrier. Most cats of any age can be ‘trained’ to get inside a carrier and enjoy it. But, some cats may be too nervous or skittish. Forcing your cat into a carrier will make matters worse and could be traumatic for your cat.

Taking your feline friend with you on your travels can be a lot of fun. You won’t have to leave them at home or in a kennel, and they’ll love spending that extra time with you. But, it will only be easier for everyone if the right carrier is involved. That’s why carriers on wheels are so convenient. Almost anyone in the family can operate it, and your cat will love the gentle movement.

Whether you choose a carrier on wheels, a backpack, or traditional tote, taking your cat with you can help to calm their nerves. You may find that after a while, they love their carrier and want to spend more time in it.