Do I Have to Use a Cat Carrier in the Car?

Updated: June 5, 2024

If you do any sort of traveling or adventuring with your cat, taking your cat in the car is usually always going to be a part of the equation. And of course, anytime you have to take your cat to the vet, they’ll have to ride in the car. You might be pondering the age-old question, “Do I have to use a cat carrier in the car?”

3 Reasons Your Cat Should Ride in a Car Carrier

While it may be tempting to let your cat roam freely in the car, that is not safe for anybody. Your cat should always be in a carrier.

“But my cat just sleeps quietly in the passenger seat when we ride in the car.”

“But my cat hates her carrier. She cries the entire car ride unless I let her out!”

“But we aren’t going far. He’ll be fine sitting in my lap.”

Believe me, I get it. I have used those arguments before myself. Back when my husband and I only had two cats (SO long ago…), I used to take them with me whenever I’d go visit my parents. One cat would ride in my lap the whole way, and the other would lie across my shoulders. They never caused any problems. They always rode calmly and quietly until we reached our destination.

Then there was Sophie who sang screamed the “song of her people” whenever she’d ride in her carrier. It was miserable for her; it was miserable for me. I’d eventually give in and let her ride in my lap instead.

I’ve since learned from my mistakes (thankfully not the hard way) and always keep my cats restrained in their carriers when riding in the car. Keep reading to find out why you should too!

1. Driving with a cat loose in the car is dangerous for everyone.

Safety: the #1 reason you should keep your cat in a carrier.

• What happens if something spooks your cat while they’re riding in your lap, and they freak out and claw you or jump down by your feet?
• What happens if you have to brake suddenly and hard while your cat is sunbathing in the rear windshield?
• What happens if, God-forbid, you are in a car accident?

A 10-pound cat becomes 500 pounds of projectile force if in a car accident at 50mph. Holy cow!

I’m sure we have all been guilty of the “that-will-never-happen-to-me” mindset at some point. The truth is though, it CAN happen to you.

It is safer for your cat, for you, and for other people on the road if your cat is restrained in a carrier* while riding down the road. End of story.

*I want to specify the importance of using an enclosed carrier and not a booster seat or tether. More on the reasons behind this recommendation later in the article.

If your cat is one who cries and gets stressed out when riding in a carrier, I’d recommend going through a thorough carrier training process. If you properly train your cat for both carrier and car travel, the experience will be much more pleasant for the both of you!

Recommended resources for carrier training:
Article: How to Get a Cat in a Carrier and Travel in the Car
Video: Train Your Cat to Go Into a Carrier

2. Depending on the state or country, it could against the law for pets to be unrestrained in the car.

The laws on restrained vs. unrestrained pets in cars vary from state to state and even country to country. Some states will impose fines if pets are not restrained in a carrier, safety harness, and/or seat belt. Others can ding you with a distracted driver violation or even animal cruelty. You should familiarize yourself with the laws in your area.

States that require pets to be restrained while in a moving vehicle:

• New Jersey
• North Dakota
• Rhode Island

While there may only be 3 states that explicitly state that pets must be restrained in a carrier, safety harness, and/or seat belt, almost every other state enforces distracted driver laws and/or animal cruelty laws. Read more about the specific laws for each state here.

As for those who live internationally. many European countries require by law for pets to be restrained while riding in a moving vehicle.

3. You buckle up yourself and expect your passengers to do so too. The same consideration should be given to your cat.

It is second nature to buckle our seat belts when we get in the car. I don’t even think about it – it’s become an action I do on autopilot. If I have passengers riding with me, I expect them to buckle up as well. Not only do I not want to get a ticket, I also want everyone to be as safe as possible. If this care and consideration is given to the human passengers of our cars, why not the feline ones as well?

Enclosed Cat Carrier vs Booster Seat vs Tether: Which is better?

There are more and more options for pet carriers and restraints coming out all the time. There are hard-sided carriers, soft-sided carriers, booster seats, tethers, and probably other types of options as well. While I’m of the mind set that any type of pet restraint is better than nothing, there are options that are definitely better than others.

Booster seats especially are popular for cats, since so many cats don’t naturally like riding in an enclosed carrier. If you aren’t familiar with a pet booster seat, they are basically an elevated bed that your cat gets tethered to. The booster seat is secured with a seat belt, but your cat is not enclosed in anything – they are just tethered to the “bed.”

I definitely understand the appeal of a booster seat; however, they are not actually a very safe option. Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO of the Center for Pet Safety has this to say about them:

We’ve actually scientifically proven that tethers are dangerous. They actually increase the risk of injury. Essentially the pet is launched, and if that tether were to hold (most of them don’t), but if the tether were to hold, the pet is clotheslined, so it actually snaps the spine and increases the risk of injury.

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And if the tether doesn’t hold? Your cat becomes a projectile and flies against (and possibly through) the windshield. Tethers have the same safety concerns as booster seats, since they are basically the same type of design.

So truthfully, the best and safest option is a cat carrier in the car – an enclosed cat carrier.

The Best Cat Carriers Available

Now that you understand why having a car carrier for your cat is so important, it’s time to pick out the BEST cat carrier! After all, we want our cats to be as safe as possible.

Walk into your local pet store though, and you’ll likely be met with an aisle full of choices. How can you know which ones are the best?

Thankfully, a non-profit organization called the Center for Pet Safety has done the work for us! They do carrier crash testing and have a list of carriers that have actually PASSED their testing. I definitely recommend browsing their website, but I’ve compiled a list of a few of the carriers that are CPS Certified (meaning they have passed the Center for Pet Safety’s rigorous crash testing).

1. The Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed

The Sleepypod is an all-around fan-favorite. Not only is it my personal favorite, but it was the top pick in a poll done in the KittyCatGO Facebook Group as well. We personally have 7 of them scattered around our house. The cats nap in them and hang out in them on a daily basis, and it’s what we use for car travel every time.

Remember how I mentioned how Sophie would cry incessantly during car rides? Once we got her a Sleepypod, that stopped almost completely. She still cries a little bit from time to time, but she is a lot more comfortable with car rides now that she rides in a Sleepypod.

FEATURES:

• CPS Certified (meaning it’s passed crash testing)
• tested at U.S., Canadian, and E.U. child safety standards
• Buckles in with a seat belt
• Mesh-dome top that allows your cat a wide field of view
• Comfortable – lined with machine-washable foam padding and ultra plush liner
• Doubles as a pet bed and carrier – cuts down on travel stress by making your cat feel like they’re traveling in their bed
• Comes in stylish, fun colors
• Eligible for replacement through Sleepypod’s Crash Replacement Program
• Weight limit – 15lbs

NOTE: Sleepypod has multiple carriers (the Mobile Pet Bed, the Atom, the Air, and the Mini). ALL of them are CPS certified!

>> Click here to shop for the Sleepypod <<

2. The Pet Carrier by Away

I haven’t personally tested Away’s Pet Carrier, but if it’s been CPS certified, then I know I can trust it and feel good recommending it!

From the Away website:

“The Pet Carrier makes it easy to bring your furry friend wherever you go, with features like sherpa bedding, water-resistant lining, and multiple pockets (for both of you). Designed to work seamlessly with the way you already travel, it has latches that can fasten it to a car seat belt and a sleeve that can secure it to any Away luggage.”

FEATURES:

• CPS Certified (meaning it’s passed crash testing)
• Removable and washable bedding
• Top and side openings
• Mesh panels on three sides for adequate ventilation
• Fastens in with a seatbelt
• Has storage pockets
• Airline approved*
• Weight limit – 18lbs

>> Click here to shop for The Pet Carrier by Away <<

3. Diggs Passenger Travel Carrier

As with the Away carrier, I don’t have any personal experience with the Diggs Passenger Travel Carrier, but also like the Away carrier, it is CPS certified. Any carrier that has been certified is worth recommending in my book!

FEATURES:

• CPS Certified (meaning it’s passed crash testing – and it passed on the first try!)
• Fastens in with a seatbelt
• Top, side, and front openings
• Has storage pockets
• Includes the Diggs waste management system where you can attach a Diggs Pee Pad to the included bed, then open the side panel to swap it out without disrupting your cat
• Airline approved*
• Weight limit – 18lbs

>> Click here to shop for the Diggs Passenger Travel Carrier <<

4. PawsInCar Vegan Leather Pet Carrier

Again, no personal experience with this one, but again… it is CPS certified. Need I say more? In case I do, here are this carrier’s awesome features –

FEATURES:

• CPS Certified (meaning it’s passed crash testing)
• Stylish design
• Fastens in with a seatbelt
• Made from vegan leather
• Airline approved*
• Weight limit – 15lbs

>> Click here to shop for the PawsInCar carrier <<

*While these carriers are approved for in-cabin travel by most airlines, you should always double check with the specific airline you plan to travel with. Each one has their own requirements.