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Spend this, not more: The honest spend band is $39.99 to $169.99 across the eight picks. Prices from official Petmate pages.
Quick answer:
- Petmate Get-A-Round E-Z Load Kennel for Cats: The maker describes an extra large opening sized for cats up to 20 lbs, published dimensions of 19 by 19 by 7.8 inches and a product weight of 4.58 lbs.
- Petmate E-Z Load Top Load Cat Kennel: The maker states a veterinarian-recommended top load design with a door twice the size of a front entry door, 360-degree ventilation, published dimensions of 19.4 by 12.8 by 10 inches for cats up to 10 lbs and a 2.9 lb product weight.
- Petmate Soft Sided Kennel Cab: Soft-sided construction in two sizes: the medium is published at 17 by 10 by 10 inches for cats up to 10 lbs, the large at 20 by 11.5 by 12 inches for cats up to 15 lbs, both at a 3.25 lb product weight.
- Petmate E-Z Load Two Door Dog and Cat Kennel: Two doors plus a top load, made in the USA from EcoTEC plastic containing a minimum of 90 percent pre-consumer recycled material, with the maker citing superior ventilation; the 19 inch is 19.4 by 12.8 by 10 inches at 3.8 lbs, the 24 inch is 24 by 16.8 by 14.5 inches at 6.43 lbs.
- Petmate Traveler Ultra Vari Kennel: Published sizes from 21 to 48 inches with pet weight ranges from up to 15 lbs at 21 inches to 90 to 125 lbs at 48 inches, one-year limited warranty, and a maker note that only the 21 and 28 inch sizes include a handle.
How much should you spend? Petmate publishes full USD pricing, dimensions and pet weight ranges on its own store, so every figure here comes from official Petmate product pages rather than resellers.
First: Answer These 3 Questions
- What size carrier does a cat actually need?? Petmate’s own guidance on these pages is that the kennel should be 3 to 4 inches taller and longer than the pet so it can stand up, turn around and lie down. The $44.99 top-load model is published for cats up to 10 lbs and the $49.99 soft cab for up to 15 lbs.
- Is a top-loading carrier easier for a nervous cat?? Yes, and the maker says so. The $44.99 E-Z Load Top Load and the $54.99 two-door kennel both load from above, with the $44.99 model’s door published as twice the size of a front entry door.
- Do airlines accept these carriers?? One pick addresses it directly. The $74.99 Petmate Sky Kennel page states compliance with the 51st edition, 2025, of the IATA Live Animals Regulation, and ships with LIVE ANIMAL stickers, though an airline can still refuse a specific animal.
- How much do the empty carriers weigh?? Published product weights run from 2.9 lbs for the $44.99 top-load kennel and 2.96 lbs for the 19 inch $39.99 Pet Porter up to 6.43 lbs for the 24 inch two-door model and 6.27 lbs for the 21 inch Sky Kennel.
- Hard shell or soft sided?? Hard shells such as the $39.99 Pet Porter hold their shape in a car and survive being stacked, while the $49.99 soft-sided cab is less frightening to a cat and lighter to carry. Neither is automatically better.
5 Checks Before You Buy
| Check | Target | Plain English |
|---|---|---|
| Does it load from the top? | The $44.99 top-load kennel and the $54.99 two-door kennel | Top loading means lifting a cat in and out vertically instead of through a front opening, which is the difference most owners notice at the vet. |
| What pet weight range does the maker publish? | Up to 10 lbs on the $44.99 model, up to 20 lbs on the $59.99 Get-A-Round | The published ranges are the real sizing guide here, and they differ a lot between products at similar prices. |
| Does the page name an airline standard? | The $74.99 Sky Kennel | Only the Sky Kennel page states IATA Live Animals Regulation compliance, and it ships with the stickers a gate agent looks for. |
| How many doors and vents does it have? | The $54.99 two-door model and the $74.99 Sky Kennel | The two-door model adds a second opening for handling, and the Sky Kennel page specifies door, side and back ventilation as part of its compliance claim. |
| Does it have a handle, and does it secure in a vehicle? | The $39.99 Fashion Vari and the $84.99 Traveler Ultra Vari | The Fashion Vari’s handle is described as dual purpose for carrying and securing in a vehicle, while the Traveler states that only the 21 and 28 inch sizes include a handle at all. |
| What is the empty weight? | 2.9 lbs for the $44.99 model up to 6.43 lbs for the 24 inch two-door | A 6 lb empty carrier plus a cat is a two-hand carry, which is why the published empty weight matters for anyone with a back problem. |
8 Picks (By Loading Style, Size and Ventilation)
Petmate Get-A-Round E-Z Load Kennel for Cats – Best Overall
Price: $59.99 on the Petmate official store, in stock.
Why: The maker describes an extra large opening sized for cats up to 20 lbs, published dimensions of 19 by 19 by 7.8 inches and a product weight of 4.58 lbs.
Honest take: The round opening is easier to load a reluctant cat through than a front door, and 20 lbs of published capacity covers most cats at $59.99. Downside: At 7.8 inches tall it is the flattest carrier here, so a cat that wants to stand and turn around has less room than in the $54.99 two-door kennel.
Petmate E-Z Load Top Load Cat Kennel – Best Budget
Price: $44.99 on the Petmate official store, in stock.
Why: The maker states a veterinarian-recommended top load design with a door twice the size of a front entry door, 360-degree ventilation, published dimensions of 19.4 by 12.8 by 10 inches for cats up to 10 lbs and a 2.9 lb product weight.
Honest take: The cheapest way to get a top-loading design, which is the single change that makes loading a nervous cat easier, at $44.99. Downside: The published weight range stops at 10 lbs, so a larger cat needs the $59.99 Get-A-Round or the $49.99 soft-sided cab.
Petmate Soft Sided Kennel Cab – Softest Option
Price: $49.99 medium or $59.99 large on the Petmate official store, in stock.
Why: Soft-sided construction in two sizes: the medium is published at 17 by 10 by 10 inches for cats up to 10 lbs, the large at 20 by 11.5 by 12 inches for cats up to 15 lbs, both at a 3.25 lb product weight.
Honest take: For a cat that finds plastic walls frightening, and the large size at $59.99 covers a 15 lb cat where the hard $44.99 kennel stops at 10 lbs. Downside: Soft sides collapse and offer less protection in a car crash than the hard $39.99 Pet Porter shell.
Petmate E-Z Load Two Door Dog and Cat Kennel – Best for Vet and Salon Trips
Price: $54.99 for 19 inches or $64.99 for 24 inches on the Petmate official store, in stock.
Why: Two doors plus a top load, made in the USA from EcoTEC plastic containing a minimum of 90 percent pre-consumer recycled material, with the maker citing superior ventilation; the 19 inch is 19.4 by 12.8 by 10 inches at 3.8 lbs, the 24 inch is 24 by 16.8 by 14.5 inches at 6.43 lbs.
Honest take: Two doors mean a cat can be lifted out through the top without pulling it through a front opening, which is what makes this the pick for vet and grooming appointments. Downside: At 6.43 lbs for the 24 inch size it is the second heaviest carrier here, and it costs $10.00 more than the 19 inch version.
Petmate Traveler Ultra Vari Kennel – Best for Large Dogs
Price: $84.99 for 21 inches up to $249.99 for 40 inches on the Petmate official store, in stock.
Why: Published sizes from 21 to 48 inches with pet weight ranges from up to 15 lbs at 21 inches to 90 to 125 lbs at 48 inches, one-year limited warranty, and a maker note that only the 21 and 28 inch sizes include a handle.
Honest take: The only pick that stays in one product line from a 15 lb cat to a 125 lb dog, so a household with two very different animals can buy one family of carriers. Downside: Above the 28 inch size there is no handle, and the empty weight climbs to 51.5 lbs at 48 inches, so the larger sizes are a two-person job.
Petmate All Purpose Kennel Pet Porter – Best Value Hard Shell
Price: $39.99 for 19 inches up to $64.99 for 26 inches on the Petmate official store, in stock.
Why: Four sizes from 19 to 26 inches with built-in compartment covers for storing treats or other pet supplies, published product weights from 2.96 lbs at 19 inches to 5.75 lbs at 26 inches, one-year limited warranty.
Honest take: Hard plastic at $39.99 with a storage compartment built into the shell, which is the lowest price per feature in this list. Downside: The 19 inch version is published for pets up to 10 lbs, and the compartment is small enough that it only holds treats and a lead.
Petmate Sky Kennel – Best for Air Travel
Price: $74.99 for 21 inches up to $169.99 for 32 inches on the Petmate official store, in stock.
Why: The maker states compliance with the standards in the 51st edition, 2025, of the IATA Live Animals Regulation for live animal transport, including door, side and back ventilation requirements, and the box includes two LIVE ANIMAL stickers, a food and water cup, ID stickers and absorbent material.
Honest take: The only pick whose official page names an airline transport standard, which is what airlines check at the gate, at $74.99 for the 21 inch size. Downside: IATA compliance does not mean an airline will accept a specific animal in it, and the empty weight is already 6.27 lbs at 21 inches.
Petmate Fashion All Purpose Vari Kennel – Best for Car Trips
Price: $39.99 for 19 inches or $54.99 for 24 inches on the Petmate official store, in stock.
Why: Published in 19 and 24 inch sizes with a multi-purpose handle the maker says is designed both for carrying and for securing the kennel in a vehicle, the 24 inch published at 24.1 by 16.7 by 14.5 inches for pets of 10 to 20 lbs at a 5 lb product weight.
Honest take: The handle doubles as the vehicle secure point, which is the one feature that matters if the carrier lives in the car rather than the cupboard. Downside: Only two sizes are published, so it cannot grow with a pet, and the 19 inch model is listed for pets up to 10 lbs.
One-Line Decision Table
| Your situation | Pick this |
|---|---|
| A 4 lb cat that panics at the vet | Petmate E-Z Load Top Load Cat Kennel at $44.99, in stock, published for cats up to 10 lbs with a top door twice the size of a front door |
| A 17 lb cat that needs more room | Petmate Get-A-Round E-Z Load Kennel for Cats at $59.99, in stock, published for cats up to 20 lbs with an extra large opening |
| Flying with a cat in the cabin | Petmate Sky Kennel at $74.99 for 21 inches, in stock, the only pick whose page cites IATA Live Animals Regulation compliance and includes LIVE ANIMAL stickers |
| One carrier that has to fit in a hatchback and stay secured | Petmate Fashion All Purpose Vari Kennel at $39.99 for 19 inches, in stock, with the multi-purpose carry and secure handle |
| A cat that is frightened by hard plastic | Petmate Soft Sided Kennel Cab at $49.99 medium or $59.99 large, in stock, published for up to 10 lbs and up to 15 lbs |
| A dog and a cat that need the same product line | Petmate Traveler Ultra Vari Kennel at $84.99 for 21 inches, in stock, in one family that runs to 48 inches and 90 to 125 lbs |
Running Costs: What You Pay After You Buy
The purchase price is only part of the story. Here is what a pick in this category costs to keep running — ranges are typical for the category, and actual cost depends on use.
| Item | What it is | How often | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline or vet-issued starter set, replacement after travel | as needed | consumable | $8.99-$19.99 |
| Fleece or padded mat for the carrier base | as needed, washes out | consumable | $9.99-$24.99 |
| Identification sticker or tag set for travel | per trip | accessory | $3.99-$7.99 |
| Absorbent pads for a long car journey | per long trip | consumable | $11.99-$22.99 |
| Second carrier so two pets are not separated | one-off | equipment | $44.99-$84.99 |
Skip It If… (When Buying Nothing Is the Right Call)
This is the section most buying guides leave out. If any of these describe you, the honest advice is to keep your money.
- Skip carriers with no published weight range, because the pet weight limit is the first thing that decides whether the fit is right.
- Skip a hard shell for a cat that is stressed by plastic, and choose the $49.99 soft-sided cab instead.
- Skip sizes above 28 inches without a second pair of hands, since the empty weight reaches 51.5 lbs at 48 inches.
- Skip soft-sided carriers for long motorway journeys, because the flopping sides do nothing for a cat that is carsick.
- Skip buying a second carrier before measuring the doorways and the car boot it has to fit through.
FAQ
Should a cat carrier be top load or front load? Top load is easier for the cat and for the owner. The $44.99 top-load and $54.99 two-door models both open from above, and the $44.99 model’s door is published as twice the size of a front entry door.
Is a soft-sided carrier kinder to a cat? Often, because the walls look less like a trap. The $49.99 medium and $59.99 large soft cabs are published for cats up to 10 and 15 lbs, but they collapse under pressure, so they are not the choice for rough handling.
What size do I need for a 12 lb cat? Look past the product name and check the published weight range. A 12 lb cat is above the $44.99 top-load model’s 10 lb limit and inside the $59.99 Get-A-Round’s 20 lb range.
Do I need a separate carrier for a second cat? Yes, if you travel with two cats, and a second carrier at $44.99-$84.99 is cheaper than a vet visit after a fight over one carrier.
Is a heavier carrier better? Not for your arms. Published empty weights run from 2.9 lbs for the $44.99 top-load kennel to 6.43 lbs for the 24 inch two-door model, so the strongest plastic is not automatically the most usable one.
What does IATA compliant mean for my flight? It means the carrier meets the animal transport standard in the 51st edition, 2025, which the $74.99 Sky Kennel page cites along with included LIVE ANIMAL stickers. The airline still decides whether it will carry your specific animal.
Can I put a carrier in the boot? Yes, but secure it, and use a model with a handle that doubles as a vehicle fixing. The $39.99 Fashion Vari is described by the maker as having a multi-purpose handle for carrying and securing in a vehicle.
Sources & Data
Prices in this guide are the figures each maker publishes on its own pages, all checked and reachable on the publish date.
- Petmate Get-A-Round E-Z Load Kennel for Cats — Published $59.99 price, 19 by 19 by 7.8 inch dimensions, 4.58 lb product weight, cats up to 20 lbs opening
- Petmate E-Z Load Top Load Cat Kennel — Published $44.99 price, 19.4 by 12.8 by 10 inch dimensions, 2.9 lb weight, up to 10 lbs, 360 degree ventilation
- Petmate Soft Sided Kennel Cab — Published $49.99 medium and $59.99 large prices, medium 17 by 10 by 10 inches up to 10 lbs, large up to 15 lbs, 3.25 lb weight
- Petmate E-Z Load Two Door Dog and Cat Kennel — Published $54.99 for 19 inch and $64.99 for 24 inch, EcoTEC plastic minimum 90 percent pre-consumer recycled, ventilation claim
- Petmate Traveler Ultra Vari Kennel — Published $84.99 for 21 inch rising to $249.99 for 40 inch, weight ranges up to 90 to 125 lbs, handle included only on 21 and 28 inch
- Petmate All Purpose Kennel Pet Porter — Published $39.99 for 19 inch up to $64.99 for 26 inch, built-in compartment covers, product weights 2.96 to 5.75 lb
- Petmate Sky Kennel — Published $74.99 for 21 inch rising to $169.99 for 32 inch, IATA Live Animals Regulation 51st edition 2025 compliance, included stickers and cup
- Petmate Fashion All Purpose Vari Kennel — Published $39.99 for 19 inch and $54.99 for 24 inch, multi-purpose carry and secure handle, 24 inch for 10 to 20 lbs
Specifications and availability change; the maker’s page is the current authority.
Real Pitfalls to Avoid
- A carrier that is technically within the weight range can still be too short, because the published guidance asks for 3 to 4 inches of extra height and length.
- Ventilation claims are not the same as a ventilated design; only some pages specify where the vents are.
- A top-loading carrier is heavier to lift than it looks, and it still has to clear the car boot lip.
- An airline-approved carrier does not guarantee an airline will take the animal, and gate staff apply their own rules.
- Soft-sided carriers look light but are the easiest to deform, and a chewed corner on a soft carrier becomes a hole.
- Buying one large carrier for two cats saves money at the start and usually causes a fight at the end.
Going deeper: For sizing the rest of the cat setup, see cat litter boxes by size and access, and for containment training at home, how kennel sizing works for crate training, plus how we rank products.
Update note: refreshed quarterly. Prices checked Sep 2026 – verify at checkout. Rankings based on published manufacturer specifications, maker prices on official pages, not paid placement.