Best Cloth Cat Carrier: Seven Soft-Sided Carriers Compared by Weight Limit, Zippers and Washable Parts

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The best cloth cat carrier for most owners is a soft-sided carrier sized to the cat’s weight and length, with a zipper that a cat cannot push open, a washable pad and enough room for the cat to turn around. This guide compares seven cloth carriers sold on Amazon.com using the weight limits, sizes, materials and entry designs in their listings. It also draws on the ASPCA, the Connecticut Humane Society and the American Association of Feline Practitioners for the parts of the choice that depend on the cat, not the bag.

Quick answer

• Start with the cat’s weight, not the bag’s looks. The listed limits run from 10 to 20 pounds for the Amkune pouch and up to 22 pounds for the Amazon Basics carrier, and the ASPCA warns that soft-sided carriers “may not be ideal for a large cat.”
• Check the zipper before you buy. The Mr. Pen listing says a cat “can’t escape easily by pushing against the zipper from the inside,” and the ASPCA says “some cats are smart enough to get through zippered enclosures.”
• Plan the training. The Connecticut Humane Society says it “may take days to months of training for your cat to readily enter a carrier,” so buy the carrier before the trip, not on the day of it.
• Use the washable parts. Several listings describe a machine-washable pad, liner or cotton body, and washing changes how long the bag keeps its shape, so check the care label before you buy.

Who this guide is for

This guide is for owners who need a soft carrier for vet visits, short car rides, grooming or a trip to a relative’s home. It is not a plane guide, and it does not cover hard-sided carriers or cat backpacks, which our other carrier guides address. It also does not give medical advice. If a cat is unwell or injured, a veterinarian should check it, and a carrier does not replace that visit.

What “cloth” means in this list

A cloth carrier is a soft-sided bag. Each listing describes its body in a different way: some use mesh panels for airflow and a view out, some use cotton, some use a fabric-oxford shell, and some combine mesh and fabric. A few describe waterproof fabric, which matters for a damp car or a rainy walk. The word “cloth” does not mean one material, and the listings disagree on what they are made of.

The ASPCA draws the main line for soft bags. Its guidance says that “Soft-sided carriers are popular but may not be ideal for a large cat and some cats are smart enough to get through zippered enclosures.” Those two points set the frame for this comparison, because the first is about size and the second is about the zipper. Neither is a reason to avoid soft carriers altogether, but both are reasons to check the listing before you buy.

Size first: the weight limits and dimensions

The listings give weight limits in different forms. Amazon Basics says “up to 22 pounds.” Mr. Pen and YUNIQUE both say up to 15 pounds. GAPZER’s title says up to 20 pounds. Amkune says it suits medium cats at 10 to 20 pounds, and Cat-in-the-bag says its bag is for cats who weigh “approximately 5 to 10 pounds.” The petisfam listing describes room for medium and large cats, but the text we captured does not give a weight figure.

Dimensions are less consistent. Only two listings in this set give full dimensions in the text we read: Amazon Basics at 19.7 by 12 by 12 inches and Mr. Pen at 17.5 by 11.2 by 11.5 inches. A listed size is not the same as the cat’s usable space, because the walls and zipper take up room. Table 1 gives what each listing says, and the volume calculation below shows what the two full sizes mean in cubic feet.

Table 1: What each listing gives, as written

Listing (brand)	Weight limit as listed	Size as listed	Body material as listed	Entry as listed	Washable part as listed
Amazon Basics	Up to 22 pounds	19.7 x 12 x 12 in	Soft-sided mesh	Front and top zippered openings	Removable fleece pad
Cat-in-the-bag	About 5 to 10 pounds	Not captured	100% cotton	Velcro ports and a zipper bottom for paw access	Whole bag, machine washable
petisfam	Not captured	Not captured	Double-thickness fabric with mesh screens	Full-size top entrance	Not captured
Mr. Pen	Up to 15 pounds	17.5 x 11.2 x 11.5 in	Cloth and scratch-proof mesh	Anti-slip zippers, two handle grips	Not captured
Amkune	10 to 20 pounds	Not captured	100% breathable cotton	Adjustable neck opening and front paw openings	Not captured
GAPZER	Up to 20 pounds	Not captured	Oxford fabric with mesh all around	Top and side entry	Washable liner
YUNIQUE	Up to 15 pounds	Not captured	Waterproof fabric with mesh panels	Not captured	Not captured

The table shows the gap in the data as well as the claims. Five of the seven listings give no size in the text we captured, and that is the first thing to check on a product page before you order.

Volume from the two full sizes

Volume is length times width times height in cubic inches, divided by 1,728 to get cubic feet. For Amazon Basics, 19.7 x 12 x 12 = 2,836.8, and 2,836.8 divided by 1,728 = 1.64 cubic feet. For Mr. Pen, 17.5 x 11.2 x 11.5 = 2,254.0, and 2,254.0 divided by 1,728 = 1.30 cubic feet.

The Amazon Basics bag lists about a quarter more volume than the Mr. Pen bag: 1.64 minus 1.30 = 0.34 cubic feet. That gap is only about the listed sizes, because the listings do not say whether the figures are interior or outside. A cat with a larger weight limit should have a bag that is larger on the inside, and the weight limit is the listing’s own guide to that.

The large-cat question

The ASPCA’s caution is aimed at cats that are large for a soft bag, and it fits the listings in this set. GAPZER names large cats in its title and gives a 20-pound limit, which is the highest in this comparison. Its bullets say the carrier is “HIGHER AND WIDER than other carriers on market,” and that is a comparison the listing makes, not one we checked. Amkune gives a 10-to-20-pound range, so it covers the middle of the set. Cat-in-the-bag is for small cats only, and its bag is designed around grooming access more than travel.

For a large cat, the practical check is the length of the cat from nose to base of tail, and the room needed to turn around. The ASPCA’s guidance is that the carrier should be big enough for the cat to turn around inside it, and the listings do not give a turn-around measurement. Measure the cat and compare the number with the listed size, and treat any listing without a size as incomplete for a large cat.

Zippers, openings and escape

A zipper is the weak point in any soft carrier, and the ASPCA says some cats can get through zippered enclosures. Mr. Pen’s listing addresses that directly: its bullets say the anti-slip zippers mean “your pets can’t escape easily by pushing against the zipper from the inside.” That is the seller’s claim, and we did not test it.

Entry design matters too. Amazon Basics has front and top zippered openings, which gives two ways in. petisfam describes a full-size top entrance, which the listing says makes loading easier. GAPZER has top and side entry, and its bullets say it folds into a pad for storage. Cat-in-the-bag and Amkune both add paw openings for grooming, which is a different job from travel: those openings give a groomer access to the feet. A bag built for grooming may not be the right bag for a long car ride.

The ASPCA also says to “Always inspect your carrier for any defects or loose parts so that your pet stays safe during travel.” Check the zipper teeth, the stitching at the handles and the mesh panels before every trip, and replace a bag with a torn panel or a broken zipper. None of the listings gives a repair policy in the text we captured.

Washing and the parts that come out

Washing is where the listings differ most. Amazon Basics has a removable fleece pad that the bullets describe as machine washable, and the listing gives a care method: wash separately in cool water with mild detergent and line dry completely before use. Cat-in-the-bag says its bag is “100% machine-washable cotton.” GAPZER includes a washable liner, which the listing describes as faux lambskin. Amkune uses 100% breathable cotton, and petisfam and YUNIQUE do not give a washing instruction in the text we captured.

Two practical points follow. A pad that comes out is easier to clean than a bag that stays together. Wash the pad separately from the bag if the listing says so, and let it dry completely before the cat uses it again.

Car and airline travel

Two listings speak to the car directly. Cat-in-the-bag says its “seat belt pass-through keeps the cat on the car seat during travel,” and Amkune says its seatbelt loop “helps keep the carrier more stable during short car trips.” Both are listing claims. The listings do not show crash testing, and the sources we opened do not cover seat-belt restraint for cats.

For air travel, Amazon Basics says it “conforms to under-seat dimensions of most airlines,” and its title calls it airline approved. YUNIQUE’s title also says “Airline Approved.” Neither listing names the airline or the seat size it checked. Confirm the current under-seat size with the airline before you buy, because the listing’s figure is only a statement from the seller.

Training a cat to use the carrier

A carrier that the cat already accepts makes every trip easier, and the sources agree that training takes time. The Connecticut Humane Society puts it plainly: “It may take days to months of training for your cat to readily enter a carrier.” It also says training needs only “a few minutes of training per day for your cat to start associating the carrier with a comfortable spot to rest.”

The ASPCA gives the steps in order. It says to “Place the carrier in a place where your cat already spends time” and to “Prop the carrier door open.” It also says to “Place comfy bedding and a favorite toy in the carrier.” Feeding comes next. The ASPCA suggests putting the food bowl in front of the carrier, then moving it gradually inside over several meals, and it says to “Give your cat every meal in the carrier.” Treats can go inside as well: “Leave tasty treats in the carrier for your cat to find throughout the day.”

The Connecticut Humane Society suggests short sessions, “Two to three times a day, for 5-10 minutes,” with toys or treats placed inside to encourage the cat to approach. The same guide says to place the carrier “in an area the cat already uses for resting.” Those steps apply to soft bags as well as hard ones, but its advice about starting with only the bottom half applies to “a hard-sided plastic carrier” with a removable top. None of the seven carriers in this list is hard-sided, so that step does not apply here.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners includes training in the work of veterinary staff. Its 2020 transport statement says veterinary professionals are charged with educating caregivers on “what is an appropriate carrier (size and material) for the cat,” and with “acclimating and training the cat to the carrier.” That is a useful frame for a soft bag: the material is one choice, and the training is the other.

Matching the carrier to the trip

Match the carrier to the job before you match it to the cat. A bag for a vet visit needs a zipper that holds and a size that fits the cat without room to slide. A bag for a car needs a belt pass-through or a way to keep it still. A bag for grooming needs paw access, which two listings give. A bag for a long trip needs ventilation and a pad that cleans. Our other carrier guides cover specific trips in more depth. For the vet visit, see our carrier for vet visits guide. For a cat that gets anxious in carriers, see our anxious cat carrier guide.

A cat that is already comfortable with a bag may still need a different one for a different trip. A larger or heavier cat may need the room of a carrier with wheels, which is a different design. Our wheeled carrier guide covers that case.

Mistakes to avoid

• Buying by the photo. The listing’s weight limit and size are the figures that matter, and five listings in this set do not give a size in the text we captured.
• Choosing a grooming bag for a long trip. The paw openings and the access panels that help a groomer can also be weak points on a long ride.
• Skipping the zipper check. The ASPCA says some cats can get through zippered enclosures, so test the closure before the cat goes in.
• Trusting the car and airline wording. The seat-belt and under-seat claims are seller statements. Confirm the airline’s current size and check the belt fit yourself.
• Starting the training on the day of the trip. The Connecticut Humane Society says training can take days to months.
• Washing a damp pad and closing the bag. Let the pad dry completely first.

How we chose

We searched Amazon.com for “cloth cat carrier” in Chrome on 21 October 2026 and read the first results page. We set aside four listings from the first page: two backpack-style bags, one of which our live backpack guide already uses, and two soft carriers that our live carrier guides already use as picks.

We opened seven listings from seven different brands: Amazon Basics, Cat-in-the-bag, petisfam, Mr. Pen, Amkune, GAPZER and YUNIQUE. For each one we read the title, the brand, the first bullets and any specification rows the page showed. Where our capture cut a bullet short, we left the cut part out and used only the complete statements. We did not use prices, ratings or reviews. The picks follow from the listing text, and they do not depend on any of those numbers.

What we could not verify

• Whether any of these bags keeps a cat secure in a car, in a crash or in an airline cabin. The listings make claims about seat belts and under-seat fit, and the sources we opened do not cover those cases.
• The sizes for five of the seven listings, which the captured text did not include.
• Whether the Mr. Pen zipper, the petisfam mesh or the GAPZER liner perform as their listings say. We did not test any bag.
• The durability of the cotton, fabric-oxford and waterproof shells over repeated washing.
• The airline under-seat claim for Amazon Basics and the airline approval in the YUNIQUE title. Confirm both with the airline.
• Whether a particular cat will accept a soft bag. Training results differ from cat to cat, and the sources we opened describe it as taking days to months.
• Any repair policy or warranty. None appears in the text we captured.

FAQ

Is a soft-sided carrier safe for a cat?

The ASPCA says soft-sided carriers “may not be ideal for a large cat.” It also says to “Always inspect your carrier for any defects or loose parts so that your pet stays safe during travel.” A soft carrier can be a safe choice for a cat within its weight limit, provided the zipper holds and the parts are sound. A large cat is the case the ASPCA singles out.

How do I pick the right size?

Start with the weight limit in the listing and the cat’s actual weight. Then check that the cat can turn around inside. The ASPCA’s guidance is that the carrier should be big enough for the cat to turn around inside. Five of the seven listings in this set do not give a size, so measure the cat and ask the seller for interior dimensions if the listing does not provide them.

Can a cat get out of a soft carrier?

Some can. The ASPCA says “some cats are smart enough to get through zippered enclosures.” Mr. Pen describes anti-slip zippers, and the seller says a cat cannot easily push against the zipper from the inside. Test the closure yourself, and keep an eye on the cat during the first few rides.

How long does it take to train a cat to use a carrier?

The Connecticut Humane Society says training “may take days to months.” It recommends short sessions, “Two to three times a day, for 5-10 minutes,” with toys or treats placed inside. The ASPCA’s steps begin with leaving the carrier out and the door open, and they move on to feeding the cat inside it.

Can I wash a cloth carrier?

It depends on the parts. Amazon Basics describes a removable fleece pad that is machine washable, and Cat-in-the-bag describes its bag as machine-washable cotton. GAPZER includes a washable liner. Read the care label for each bag, and let any pad dry completely before the cat uses it again.

Are these carriers approved for airline travel?

Two listings say so. Amazon Basics says its carrier “conforms to under-seat dimensions of most airlines,” and YUNIQUE’s title says “Airline Approved.” Those are seller statements. Check the current under-seat size with the airline before you buy, because airline rules can change.

Should I use a soft carrier for a car ride?

A soft carrier can work for a short ride, and two listings describe features for the car. Cat-in-the-bag names a seat belt pass-through, and Amkune describes a seatbelt loop. The ASPCA says to inspect the carrier for loose parts before travel, and the sources we opened do not cover restraint for a cat in a moving car.

Bottom line

Choose a soft carrier that fits the cat’s weight and length, has a zipper you have tested, and has a pad you can wash. Start the training well before the trip, and check the airline or seat-belt claims yourself. For a large cat, be skeptical of any soft bag that does not give an interior size, and read the weight limit before the photo.

Sources

• American Association of Feline Practitioners, “2020 Transportation of Cats in Motor Vehicles” position statement (opened 2026-10-21): https://catvets.com/guidelines/position-statements/transport-of-cats-position-statement
• ASPCA, “Teaching Your Cat to Ride in a Carrier” (opened 2026-10-21): https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/teaching-your-cat-ride-carrier
• Connecticut Humane Society, “Carrier Training Cats” (opened 2026-10-21): https://cthumane.org/pet-care-resources/carrier-training-cats/