Travel Cat The Fat Cat Cat Backpack

A roomy bubble backpack for bigger cats; the front takes either a clear dome window or a mesh screen, so you can trade view for airflow.

Who it suits

Larger or longer cats up to 25 pounds, and owners who want a clear bubble window that swaps for a mesh screen on warm days.

Key facts

• Holds up to 25 lbs of cat (11.5 kg) (Travel Cat)
• Bubble window and screen attachment for visibility or ventilation (Travel Cat)
• Breathable mesh panels and air holes (Travel Cat)
• Interior leash clip for safety (Travel Cat)
• Adjustable shoulder and chest straps and side storage pockets (Travel Cat)
• Structured design for stability; folds flat for storage (Travel Cat)

What reviewers say

CNN Underscored: Michelle Rae Uy tested it with her 15 pound cat Arrow among six backpacks over several weeks (updated July 25, 2025) and listed it under other backpacks tested. She found it spacious, liked the swappable front panel, the side mesh windows, mesh top and air holes that give ample airflow, and the leash clip. Her complaint: the bottom edge sat on her hip bone whatever the strap length, which a heavier cat makes worse. The page does not say whether the unit was a maker sample.

We did not test it ourselves.

Pros

• Swappable front: clear bubble for the view or mesh for airflow
• Rated for cats up to 25 pounds by the maker
• Ample airflow from side mesh, mesh top and air holes, per the tester

Cons

• Bottom edge sat on the tester’s hip bone, which may bother shorter torsos
• Not the tester’s top pick; it was listed among other backpacks tested

Good to know

• Never leave your cat in the backpack in a parked car; Cats Protection warns that even a few minutes in a hot car can be fatal (Cats Protection).
• Keep the carrier out of direct sunlight and watch for signs of stress such as excessive vocalizing, panting or hiding (UC Davis veterinary handout); the maker sells the mesh screen as the ventilation option (Travel Cat).
• For vet visits, the FelineVMA carrier guide lists backpack carriers among the carriers to avoid, because the cat can move too much and sees too much, so a sturdy carrier with a removable top may suit those trips better (FelineVMA).