Carriers for Large Cats: Size, Hard vs Soft, and Air Travel

A large cat needs a carrier it can stand up and turn around in, with an opening wide enough to lift it in and out. For vet visits, International Cat Care prefers a sturdy plastic carrier whose top half lifts off. Airline under-seat limits, around 18 by 11 inches, often rule out a full grown Maine Coon.

A carrier sized for an average cat makes a big cat crouch, and a 20-pound cat in a flimsy carrier is hard to carry and hard to get out. The registry says Maine Coon males can reach or exceed 20 pounds, so the carrier is one of the first things a growing large breed outgrows.

How to size a carrier for a big cat

Measure the cat standing: length from nose to base of tail, and height from the floor to the top of the head. Then compare with the carrier’s inside dimensions, which are smaller than the outside size. The airlines’ standard is a useful test even for car trips: Southwest says the pet must be able “to stand up and move around the carrier with ease,” and Delta says it must fit “with the ability to move around without touching or sticking out from the sides.”

The American Association of Feline Practitioners’ position statement on transporting cats asks owners to choose an “appropriate carrier (size and material) for the cat,” to get the cat used to it, and to secure it in the vehicle. It gives no dimensions, so measure your own cat.

Hard or soft for a heavy cat?

International Cat Care’s guide to vet visits is clear:

• Prefer a sturdy plastic carrier whose top half can be removed, so the cat can stay in the bottom half while the vet examines it.
• Avoid soft fabric carriers, which “can collapse and are hard to keep clean.”
• Avoid backpack styles for vet visits, because of the movement.
• One carrier per cat, even for cats that get on well.

A top-opening or removable lid matters more for a big cat than a small one: tipping a 20-pound cat out of a front door is hard on the cat and the owner.

Carriers with room for a 20-pound cat

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Carrying a 15 to 20 pound cat

International Cat Care advises supporting the carrier from underneath, holding it in both arms, rather than swinging it by the handle. A big cat in a sturdy plastic carrier is a real load, so plan the route: a carrier with a shoulder strap, or a wheeled carrier for longer walks, takes the load off one hand. Backpack carriers are popular for outings, but International Cat Care does not recommend them for vet trips.

Flying with a large cat in the cabin

In-cabin pets travel under the seat in front, so airlines limit carrier size. As of October 1, 2026:

We could not open United’s or American’s pet pages to confirm their current rules, so check those airlines directly. Policies, sizes and fees change, and the airline confirms at booking. These sizes may be too small for a full grown large breed, which leaves cargo or driving; ask your vet about the trip before booking.

Getting a big cat used to the carrier

International Cat Care suggests keeping the carrier out at home as a resting place, so it is not a sign that a vet visit is coming. Put familiar bedding inside and feed treats near it. For walks and outdoor time, a well-fitted harness is the other half of travel; see harnesses for large cats. For gift ideas for a traveling cat owner, see gifts for big cat lovers, and for all the sized-up basics, the supplies hub.