There are TONS of travel cat backpack carriers to choose from. But which one is the best cat backpack for you and your cat?
I researched a ton of cat backpacks before deciding on the Pecute cat backpack carrier. It had everything I was looking for and more. It’s a reasonable price – compared to some other cat backpacks and it has features you and your cat will love. It expands, and opens up for my cat to look outside.
Depending on what you’re planning on using a cat backpack for, the Pecute backpack might be for you. We used the Pecute cat backpack carrier on our 26 hour drive from Montreal to Florida (among other very useful cat travel items!). It was great to easily transport our cat from the car to the hotel and then to give him a place to sleep at night. Now we use it to transport him on short car rides. And we’re able to bring him with us on walks around the block or even on the beach (which he loves!).
Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!
Useful Resources You Might Need For Travel With A Cat
Book a Pet-Friendly Hotel: Hilton Pet Friendly Hotels
Car Rentals: Rental Cars at Low, Affordable Rates | Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Travel Safe Carrier: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca
Travel Cat Backpack: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca
Cat Travel Digital Planner: Etsy.com
Other cat travel posts you might be interested in reading…
What You Need To Travel With Your Cat | 13 Useful Tips To Know Before Travelling With A Cat In A Car
Is A Cat Backpack Ethical?
It all depends on your cat and what your plans are for using a cat backpack. We initially bought the backpack to transport our cat from the car to the hotel on our long distance road trip from Montreal to Florida.
We didn’t have any real plans for the knapsack afterwards. We tried bringing him on a few short walks with it – and he ended up loving it! Now we bring him around the block with us for walks. He loves sticking his head out and watching everything as we pass by.
A cat backpack is only cruel if your cat doesn’t like it and you force them into it. Obviously, you don’t always have a choice. If that’s the case, try to find something they’ll be the most comfortable in.
A cat backpack gives you the chance to safely bring your cat outside – if that’s what they want. At first our cat was petrified of the outdoors but once he warmed up to it couldn’t get enough of it.
Why I Chose A Cat Backpack Over A Cat Carrier For Travel
I really enjoy using a travel cat backpack because it’s just so easy to use. We still have a cat carrier for the car (see it on Amazon) that we use for longer drives but those are quite heavy and bulky to carry.
Shop Pecute Pet Backpack On Amazon
Especially for travel, a cat backpack is supper convenient. Your cat is on your back freeing up your hands to open doors at rest stops or to carry more luggage into the hotel. It’s also a less obvious mode of transportation. When we brought him anywhere in his carrier we would always get loads of comments and stares to see what was inside. With the Pecute cat backpack, people really just think you’re carrying a backpack.
I like using a cat backpack over a smaller cat duffel back for the same reasons. So it doesn’t have the bulkiness factor but it still frees up your hands.
Plus a cat backpack usually has a window to give your cat more space to look around. They’re also higher up, which gives them a great vantage point on everything around them!
You might also be interested in reading…
Everything You Should Know Before Travelling With A Cat: Is It Worth It?
How To Get Your Cat Used To A Backpack?
The key to getting your cat used to being in a backpack is time. Obviously, time isn’t always on our side, so you’ll just have to do your best in the amount of time you have.
It will be the easiest to get them used to it in small intervals and starting with them as early as possible.
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I actually only had two weeks to get my cat used to the Pecute cat backpack but he was already used to being in a carrier. In the end, he loves the backpack so much more than his carrier it’s all we use now.
So here’s how to get them used to being in a backpack…
1. Keep The Backpack Out At All Times At Home
This is the easiest way to get your cat used to a backpack – keep it out at all times.
By keeping the backpack out, they get used to it.
This becomes their safe space that they can go into, maybe even sleep in. I leave a treat inside to encourage him to enter and give him a treat when he sits there for a while. It’s all about creating positive associations with the backpack.
You might also be interested in reading…
13 Useful Cat Road Trip Tips To Know Before Travelling With A Cat In A Car
2. Keep You Cat In The Backpack For Longer & Longer Intervals
Remember I said that the more time you have to get them used to the backpack the better?
That’s because it’s a very slow process.
Once they’re used to the backpack when it’s open, start to close it with them inside. Keep it closed for a few seconds at first, and slowly start increasing the amount of time it’s closed for.
P.S. This is where clicker training is very helpful! You can click when they’re being good in the backpack and then give them a treat!
3. Slowly Start Picking Them Up And Walking!
Once they’re comfortable with you closing the backpack with them inside, you’ll want to start picking them up in it. The same rules apply – start slowly and keep them in there for longer and longer each time.
For us, this is a two person job so we don’t shake him around too much as we lift and put it on our back. It’s still doable as one person, I would lift them up to a higher surface (like a counter top) and then put it on your back.
Next, do the same thing that you did with closing the backpack. Start with shorter time intervals and slowly increase it. Start walking around in the house, and then eventually bring them outside.
Cat Backpack Tip: Use their favourite treat! For even more positive associations with your Pecute cat backpack, I reserve special treats. My cat loves chicken treats so my go-to is Purebite freeze dried chicken.
Cat Backpack Review: Why Choose The Pecute Backpack?
We chose the Pecute backpack for our cat for a few reasons, but mainly it was the best one for both our cat and us. We bought it for certain features, and then it ended up surprising us even more with what it can do!
We love it and so does our cat that we end up using it for way more than what we thought we would!
A Great Backpack For Cats…
The most important thing a cat backpack needs to be is good for your cat. There were a few key features that we liked about the Pecute cat backpack carrier for our cat.
Safety First: Leash & Zipper Locks
You need the backpack to be safe for your cat if you’re taking them out of the house. That means, you don’t want there to be any possiblity for them to escape.
The Pecute Cat Backpack comes with two safety features. First, it comes with a leash attached to the backpack. You can attach this leash to your cats harness so there’s no way they can jump out.
Shop Harness & Leash On Amazon
The second safety measure included in the Pecute are locks on every zipper. My cat is an escape artist so this was essential. He’s already learned from his last carrier that zippers are movable. If he sticks his nose through the zippers enough, he can eventually separate them and escape.
This isn’t possible with the Pecute cat backpack. They’ve included clasps so the zippers can’t be separated.
The Pecute backpack is also very sturdy so I feel safe putting my cat in this backpack in the car for short rides. I secure the straps of the backpack with the seatbelt so the bag won’t move.
The Backpack Is Expandable!
Having an expandable cat backpack is very a nice to have. Even if you don’t plan on using it, it still gives you the option if you need it. Trust me, your cat will thank you!
The backpack is quite small. My cat can still lie down it in, but it’s mainly to have it open and for him to look out as we’re walking. Or for quick transportation needs. It isn’t really large enough to keep him in there for long periods of time.
With the expansion, it isn’t large, but it does give him quite a bit of extra space. And he loves it.
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It makes it so that we can use it as his main space. We keep it expanded at home all the time for him to sleep in now. This was also very useful as a travel cat backpack to bring to hotels and have him sleep in it.
P.S. You can even expand it and collapse it with the cat inside. This makes it very convenient to put your cat in. This way you have a bit more room otherwise it’s a bit tight. And if you bring them somewhere but aren’t ready to let them out you can expand it without having to take them out.
The Mesh Windows Make It Airy!
The Pecute Amazon cat backpack is also very airy with all mesh! The mesh they use is also scratch proof so you don’t have to worry about your cat breaking it in 2 minutes.
Two of the mesh windows also open up. These are the best parts of the backpack. My cat hates being enclosed for too long so this lets him feel like he has more space and isn’t stuck.
Shop Pecute Pet Backpack On Amazon
Comfort Is Key!
And above anything else, you want your feline friend to be comfortable as can be during transportation. That’s why the Pecute travel cat backpack comes with a soft cushion to place on the bottom of the backpack.
It’s a slip cover so you can easily zip it off to wash or replace if necessary.
Why The Pecute Travel Cat Backpack Is Great For You…
Not only does a travel cat backpack have to be good for your cat, but also for you. You’re the one that needs to have it on your back carrying the cat after all.
Padded Back & Straps
Really what makes the Pecute Amazon cat backpack great for you is the comfort features. The back is padded and so are the backpack straps.
Remember, you are carrying a 10+ pound animal on your back, some extra padding will be nice – especially for longer journeys.
Noticed It’s Missing Some Padding
They are missing a bit of padding that you might notice after you use the backpack for a long walk. I don’t notice it (but also I won’t usually carry him for that long), but my partner who’s quite a bit taller than me has felt a support bar on the bottom of the backpack on his lower back.
He only really notices it when we go for a long walk and when he isn’t wearing a jacket or sweater. If he wear a jacket that gives him the extra padding he needs!
If comfort is your main priority for longer walks, you might want to consider the Navigator cat backpack… although it is quite a bit more expensive.
Support Straps To Lighten The Load
Another welcomed feature is the addition of waist straps for support. They aren’t as intense as those you’ll find on an Osprey hiking back, but it’s definitely a nice to have.
We were not expecting these at all but will also make a huge difference and will take some weight off your back.
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My digital cat travel planner template has everything you need to travel with your cat: research pet-friendly places, cat packing lists and checklist. You can print it out or use it digitally on your phone, tablet, or computer.
It’s Completely Foldable
The Pecute Cat Backpack is expandable for the cat and it’s also foldable for you! When you aren’t using it, you can unzip the entire backpack to lay completely flat!
This makes it a superior travel cat backpack. When we weren’t using it, it didn’t take up any space in the car. We just laid it flat on top of our luggage ready to be built when we needed to take him out.
Negatives Of The Pecute Cat Backpack To Be Aware Of
As much as I love the Pecute backpack, there are a few slight downfalls that you should know about before buying this Amazon cat backpack.
This can go for any cat backpack. The weight distribution is off depending on how your cat sits in it. Our cat tends to sit on one side of the backpack which makes carrying it a bit more difficult. Imagine you placed all your library books on one side… it’s weird and heavier. So if your cat doesn’t like to sit in the middle, or lie down, it may feel heavier than it should.
I love that they have the leash for safety, but I do find that it could have been a bit shorter. Right now I keep it on the shortest possible length and my cat can put half his body outside the bag. I know he can’t actually go any further, but it does look like he may fall out at times.
When you put the backpack and expand it, if your cat is curious, they may pull the backpack with them. The backpack isn’t exactly heavy – which is great for when you have to carry it on your back for long periods of time. But that also means a cat can easily pull it around with them. A simple fix for this was to place our water bottle on one of the doors to secure the backpack in place.
The mesh doors sizes are also a tad small. It’s fine for your cat to go in on their own but for you to put them in it’s a bit tight. To get around this I expand the bag and have my cat walk in on his own (by throwing in some treats!). Then I close it up! Another option that I found was just to unzip the side of the backpack and put him in. It’s a much larger opening to use.
And finally, my last minimal complaint about the Pecute cat backpack is when you collapse the bag. It collapses down to be flat, but that’s pretty much it. It’s all loose, it doesn’t fit together nicely. And the bottom of the bag completely comes out and there’s nowhere to put it which I feel like it can be easily lost or misplaced this way.
Is The Pecute The Best Cat Backpack?
At the end of the day, the benefits of the Pecute Cat Backpack far out-weigh the cons. We love using this cat backpack. It’s made travel and transport so much easier with our cat.
As I’ve said, he loves the ability to look outside and go on walks with us. The expandable features gives him room to sleep in if we need him to stay in it longer. We’ve brought him to restaurants with us in it (he loves to people watch!) and even into stores if we both needed to go in and he was with us. Either people don’t notice or think it’s the cutest thing!
For the price, you can’t really go wrong! It’s especially a good starting point if you don’t how your cat will react to being in a backpack. And, it’s still a very good quality!
Compare The Pecute Pet Backpack
The ultimate digital travel planner bundle for you and your cat!
My digital travel planner template has everything you need to plan your vacation and it’s paired with my cat travel planner.
Click Here to see the bundle on Etsy
Quick Links – What You’ll Need To Travel With A Cat
Read More Cat Travel Guides
- What You Need To Travel With Your Cat In A Car Long Distances
- Is The Navigator Cat Backpack Worth The Price? An Honest Review
- 13 Useful Cat Road Trip Tips To Know Before Travelling With A Cat In A Car
- 15 Important Cat Road Trips Tips For Staying In A Hotel With A Cat
- Everything You Should Know Before Travelling With A Cat: Is It Worth It?
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Last update on 2024-10-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API