Love taking your cat out but don’t like the single strap carriers? Who can blame you? With every step you take it bangs against your side and digs into your shoulder.
This is the why backpack cat carriers were created. They are really versatile and far easier on us humans. My favorite backpacks have a bubble built right in to provide a view for your cat and them look like an astronaut!
Every cat owner should have one! It will get you and your cat out more than any other method! Let’s take a look at the best cat bubble backpacks.
The Best Cat bubble backpacks quick guide | |
---|---|
Key Highlight | Backpack |
Best Overall | |
Great for Large Cats | |
Easiest In & Out | |
Messenger Style | |
Best Hard Backed | |
Great Rolling Pack | |
Awesome for Air Travel | |
Innovative Design | |
Fully Transparent Back | |
Best Top Bubble | |
Most Fashionable | |
Collapsible Model | |
Additional Information | |
Texsens Innovative Traveler Bubble Backpack Carrier for Cats
Texsens is the most well known brand of bubble backpacks on the market today and probably the most trusted as well. They’ve they been one of the pioneers in developing this type of carrier so that’s no surprise.
Texsens has been producing high quality backpacks for both cats and dogs now for several years. This gives them an edge because they have a bunch of experience and feedback to build their products off of.
Key features worth noting on this bag:
You can also check out my full video review below or read the full written review by clicking the button below.
The Fat Cat Backpack for Large Cats
The Fat Cat is an excellent bag specifically designed for larger cats. It is difficult to tell from the picture, but it actually has quite a bit of extra space inside it compared to other cat backpacks.
The company that designed it has said it is rated to hold cats up to 19 pounds, that's quite a hefty cat to stick inside a backpack, but I honestly believe they'd fit given my experience!
Key features worth noting on this bag:
Petforu Space Capsule Faux Leather Cat Backpack
Petforu comes to the market with what is one of the nicest looking and most versatile faux leather cat backpacks on the market. It of course still comes with the amazing astronaut bubble window to let your cat get a great view out.
This model has a ton of ventilation slots built into it so your feline friend stays has plenty of fresh air to breathe, but it also ensures that it stays nice and cool inside the backpack even if it is a little toasty outside!
Let's look at a few other major features worth noting:
U-pet Innovative Messenger Style Bubble Carrier
You’ll notice an obvious difference in the design of this bag right away, it isn’t your typical two shoulder strap backpack! If you want to be extra trendy with a capsule bag and give your cat plenty of space to lay down you can go for this messenger style bag.
This bag does of course include the coveted astronaut bubble that makes these kinds of carriers so darn cool! But let's look at other key features worth considering:
While this is a really cool and trendy looking bag, do be sure you do some measuring first to ensure your cat will have sufficient room to move around inside of it. That or ensure your cat loves to lay down while bounding along on a walk with you!
Also keep in mind since this is a messenger style bag it is a single strap on your shoulder.
Giantex Astronaut Cat Carrier Backpack
Giantex is a company that has been at making cat carriers and pet products for quite some time. This model is is of course their astronaut’s cat carrier to give your kitty a nice safe view of the outside world while keeping them in a controlled environment.
It features a large space inside with big air holes and mesh to ensure it stays comfortable and breathable for your kitty. A couple of key features worth noting:
Pettom Large Breathable Bubble Carrier w/ Rolling Attachment
This is a relatively novel idea in the bubble carrier space in that Pettom has essentially designed a carrier that is primarily a backpack, but it can also be attached to an associated roller.
This means if you’ve got an extra long distance to travel or perhaps a nice smooth bit of road or sidewalk and you just want a break you can drop the backpack right into the roller and keep going.
On top of this you’ll notice a lot of other great features that this carrier includes
Note: You can buy this model without the wheel attachment and save yourself somewhere in the area of $15. If you don’t feel you need the wheels it is a nice option to have handy.
Pettom’s Airline Approved Cat Carrier Backpack
This is an excellent option for those of you looking to take your feline friend on a plane and you think a backpack will be easier than a traditional carrier. Given this carrier has already been vetted by multiple airlines you’ll be off to a great start.
Key features worth noting on this model are:
HBuir Innovative Diamond Traveler Pet Carrier Shoulder Backpack
You’ll notice a couple of distinct differences in this carrier right away. First and foremost it is a hard shelled carrier which is far less common. This means that it maintains its space integrity inside much more effectively than canvas or nylon carriers.
There are several features worth noting on this model:
Texsens Canvas Transparent and Breathable Capsule Portable Pet Backpack
You’ll notice a distinct difference between this bag and the other versions that Texsens has on the market, primarily in the overall design structure.
This backpack is designed with the intent that you’d be loading your cat from the top, there is no way to unzip either of the side compartments and let your cat enter the bag this way.
A couple of additional key items worth noting on this model:
Texsens Topside Bubble Backpack Cats
Another variation on the Texsens backpacks above, this one instead moves the bubble to the top of the carrier as opposed to back side of the carrier. While clearly a preference option, this will provide a heck of a lot better view up and out as opposed to toward the back of the carrier. No surprise I suppose!
This model is also made of canvas specifically to encourage air flow for your feline friend while you’re out and about on your adventures. Your cat will stay nice and cool while going for a ride in this backpack.
A couple of additional features worth noting on this model:
Keedo Transparent Cat Carrier Travel Backpack
If you're looking for a something a little bit beyond your typical space capsule backpack you can spring for the Keedo Pet Transparent Carrier. This one has a completely transparent back side so your cat can see everywhere the entire time.
There are of course benefits and drawbacks to the exposure. If your cat is super outgoing and loves new things then this is a great option and you'll get tons of compliments on your kitty!
A few additional things worth noting:
Lemonda Portable Travel Space Capsule Pet Carrier Backpack
Lemonda brings to the market another excellent looking space capsule type carrier with all the bells and whistles that will make you love it.
This backpack is designed with extra padding on the straps so you can take your cat for long walks or hikes and it is specifically engineered to allow you to wear it either on the front or the back!
PetLoft Foldable Bubble Carrier
Right, it isn’t a backpack. I know, I know! But it is still an excellent carrier and I wanted to include it because of the key unique feature. This carrier is so easy to break down and fold into a really small space.
Most of the backpack carriers I have indicated so far don’t really have a way to collapse. This means they take up a lot of space when they aren’t in use. This model can fold down to only a few inches tall. Great for storage!
What's worth noting on this option:
Why Use a Cat Bubble Backpack Carrier Instead of a Traditional Carrier
There are a couple of key reasons people prefer to switch over to a bubble carrier in place of a traditional carrier:
- Comfort: The biggest factor I’ve found in making the switch is that bubble carriers are just far easier to get around with than a traditional single strap shoulder carrier. Backpacks were designed for this purpose specifically, and cat backpack carriers are just a heck of a lot easier on your shoulders than that single strap is.
- Safety: The bulk of backpack carriers come equipped with additional safety features that traditional carriers don’t have included. While this is largely because they are often designed for Adventure Cats it doesn’t mean those safety features are any less helpful for your typical cat just going on walks.
- Cat Happiness: A lot of traditional carriers don’t provide the best view in the world for your cat. They can of course hear a lot through the mesh, but they often can’t see much through it. This is limiting and makes the trip boring! The space bubble lets your cat see everything going on around them and gives them a chance to check out the world.
- Style: Let’s be honest, they’re just plain cool looking compared to a typical carrier. And it is way easier for other people to check your feline friend out as you take a walk! What could be better?!?!
If you’re still curious about traditional carriers (I still have one myself) then I would also recommend you read my other article here on the best traditional carriers out there. It should help you make a decision if you’re not sold on a backpack yet.
Getting Your Cat Used To The Carrier
When you bring a new carrier home you’re going to want to take some time getting your cat used to the carrier before immediately loading her right into it and taking her for a walk.
While I understand you just got this really cool carrier and want to show it off and show your cat off I would suggest a gradual approach to use. This will ensure that you don’t scare your cat away from the carrier right away and then have to spend weeks getting he or she acclimated afterward.
So how do you go about it? Well there are a couple of pretty simple steps you can take to ensure that your cat will end up loving the new carrier:
- When it first arrives be sure to let your cat explore and sniff it without trying to put her in it
- If you have any Feliway Spray you might also want to try spraying some of this on and in the carrier
- Be sure to leave it out in the open and place some treats inside the carrier so your cat associates the carrier with positive things
- Start out with short walks and don’t make the first trip to somewhere your cat hates (the vet or the groomer)
- Take your cat on multiple trips a week, but keep them short and end them with treats when you get home
- Over time work up to longer trips and start feathering in trips to the vet and other places
Leash & Harness Training Your Cat
While it is not a necessity by any stretch of the word, many people that use bubble backpacks also have a desire to leash and harness train their cat to take it on adventures.
This is no surprise, if you want to show your cat the world you’d also want to let them out to actually get a chance to explore it a little bit.
There’s an excellent article available on AdventureCats.org that will tell you all about the best method to harness train your cat, but here’s a quick rundown just to get you started:
- Introduce the Harness: As with anything else (costumes, collars, etc.) you’ll want to introduce your cat to a harness slowly to ensure they associate positive things with it. This means letting them sniff it, letting their scent get on it, and of course rewarding them with treats when it is nearby. You can also spray some Feliway on it for an added benefit.
- Slip It On: Put the harness on your cat, but don’t actually tighten it up. This will let her get a feel for it without restricting her movement. Over time tighten the harness and then remove it after short periods of time working up to longer attempts. Again, treats and praise go a long way.
- Attaching the Leash: Once you’ve got your kitty used to the harness you can attach the leash to it and take her outside. This is where your let your cat do the exploring. Go at her pace and let her figure out what is of interest. As she gets more used to the world outside then you can start encouraging her to follow you and keep pace with where you want to go.
A few other tips:
- Always pick up your cat and carry them through the threshold of the door when you’re first harness training her. This makes her think that’s the only way to go outside. Otherwise she’s prone to learn the second the door opens she can bolt out.
- Don’t leave your cat unattended outside, especially with a harness and leash on. This is an easy way for your cat to get stuck and injured.
- Always ensure any cat that is going outside is microchipped at the least. I also recommend a breakaway collar with tags with your cats essential information.
If You Don’t Trust Me – Trust Anna Akana
Now if you don’t happen to trust me about how awesome these backpacks are then you should definitely take the word of YouTube star Anna Akana. Here’s an awesome video of her showing what happens when she goes out with her cats in her bubble backpack!
Wrapping It Up on Cat Bubble Backpacks
My personal opinion is that cat bubble backpacks are a heck of a lot more versatile than your traditional style carrier. First off, they look a heck of a lot better!
But they also give your cat a much better view of the outside world while still maintaining all of the important safety features that come with a regular carrier.
Another huge benefit is that you’re going to have a heck of a lot more comfort for yourself when you use a backpack style carrier. It is a heck of a lot easier on your shoulders and your back because it distributes the weight a lot more effectively than a single strap.
Do you use a backpack carrier for your cat? Does yours have the cool bubble to give your cat a view of the outside world? If I’ve missed any of the awesome bubble backpacks please send me a link.
This way I can track down those additional options and get them added to the article. Feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com.
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