Cardboard cat carriers
A cardboard cat carrier is genuinely useful for a one-off trip — bringing a newly adopted cat home, or a single vet visit — where a lightweight, disposable option makes more sense than buying a hard carrier for something that might only happen once.
What a cardboard carrier is actually good for
It's light enough to carry easily, cheap enough not to worry about, and perfectly adequate for a short, single journey such as collecting a cat from a rescue or a one-off visit. If you don't already own a carrier and don't expect to need one regularly, this is a sensible way to cover an immediate need without a bigger purchase.
It also folds flat for storage, which matters if you genuinely only need a carrier occasionally and don't want a hard case taking up space between uses.
Where it falls short of a hard carrier
A cardboard carrier isn't built for a cat that scratches, chews or pushes against the sides under stress, and a nervous cat can work through the material over a longer or more difficult journey. It also won't hold up well if it gets wet, which a hard plastic carrier shrugs off without issue.
For repeated use — regular vet visits, travel, or a cat that's often anxious in transit — a hard carrier is the better investment, since it's more secure, easier to clean, and doesn't degrade with each use the way cardboard does.
Getting a nervous cat into any carrier calmly
Leaving a carrier out at home for a few days before it's needed, with a blanket or something familiar-smelling inside, helps a cat see it as neutral rather than something that only appears right before something stressful happens like a vet trip.
A few treats placed inside the carrier in the days beforehand can build a more relaxed association, and covering part of the carrier with a towel during transport can help a cat feel less exposed, whichever type of carrier you're using.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Supa Cardboard Pet Carrier
A flat-pack cardboard pet carrier for cats, rabbits and small dogs, in two sizes: Medium 33 x 20 x 20cm and Large 38 x 25 x 25.5cm inside
From£4.25
Moderna Odyssey Carrier
A hard plastic carrier with top and front openings, and a fold-away handle
From£47.99
Moderna Hipster Carrier Blueberry
Hard-sided cat carrier with a clear top-opening lid, in two sizes and washable plastic
From£9.49
Canvas Shoulder Sling Pet Carrier Bag
A soft canvas shoulder-sling carrier that lets your cat or small dog poke their head out while you walk. Breathable open top with a novelty lion-mane collar and paw design for hands-free trips.
From£9.99
Moderna Hipster Carrier Hot
A top-opening plastic carrier for pets up to 4kg, with a clear lid and a bottle mount
From£9.49
Front-Carry Pet Backpack Carrier
Hands-free front-carry backpack that holds a small dog or cat against your chest, with breathable leg openings and a padded, adjustable harness. Cute bear-pocket detail and drawstring top keep your pet snug and secure on the go.
From£15.99
Quilted Mesh Cat Backpack Carrier
A soft quilted backpack carrier with a high-density frame and mesh ventilation panels, sized 35 x 28 x 40cm and rated for cats up to 7.5kg or dogs up to 6kg.
From£28.99
3-in-1 Folding Pet Stroller with Removable Carrier
A folding pet stroller whose carrier lifts out to use on its own, giving small, senior or recovering pets a wheeled ride to the vet and back home again.
£115.99
Small Pet Carrier Shoulder Bag with Bubble Window
A ventilated travel carrier bag for hamsters, guinea pigs and other small pets, with a clear bubble window and breathable mesh panels. The adjustable shoulder strap makes outings and vet trips easy.
£13.99
Expandable Soft-Sided Pet Travel Carrier
A polyester duffel carrier that unzips into a 52 x 36 x 32cm mesh cabin held out by four support bars, supplied with a dual-season mat, safety rope and storage pouch.
£60.99
Large Mesh Pet Backpack Carrier
A roomy, well-ventilated backpack carrier that keeps cats calm and secure on hands-free journeys.
£29.99
Breathable Pet Carrier Backpack
A breathable pet carrier backpack with a large mesh window and side vents for airflow, plus a front storage pocket and padded straps. Designed for safe, comfortable trips with cats and small dogs.
£48.99
Common questions
- Is a cardboard carrier safe for a car journey?
- For a short, calm journey it's generally fine, but secure it so it can't slide or tip, and be aware it offers less structural protection than a hard carrier if there's ever a sudden stop.
- Will my cat scratch through a cardboard carrier?
- A determined or anxious cat can, particularly over a longer journey, which is the main reason cardboard suits an occasional single trip better than regular use. A hard carrier is the safer choice for a cat that's likely to be stressed or fidgety.
- Can I reuse a cardboard carrier for a second trip?
- You can if it's still structurally sound, but check it hasn't been damaged, scratched through, or gotten damp, since any of those significantly weaken cardboard compared with when it was new.
- How do I get a nervous cat used to any carrier?
- Leave it out at home in a familiar space for a few days beforehand with something comfortable inside, and add a few treats to build a positive association, rather than only bringing the carrier out right before a stressful trip.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.