- This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Of all the unique pet products on the rise, bubble-style cat backpacks are easily the most charming and photographable. But there’s more to these trendy space capsules than mere aesthetics. If your cat will take to one, backpacks offer a safe way to venture outdoors together. Plus, a backpack is easier to manage than a bulky kennel held at your side, making it a practical replacement for a traditional cat carrier.
To find out if carrying a cat in a backpack is a good idea, we tested and reviewed the “Fat Cat” backpack—a popular carrier designed with heftier felines in mind. Ultimately, it was hit with our two kitty testers, who gave it high marks for spaciousness and breathability.
However, we know that a bubble backpack won’t work out for every cat. To help you judge how your own kitty might fare with one, we’ve laid out some of the Fat Cat’s key features and drawbacks.
Here’s What the Fat Cat Backpack Offers
Rover Tester One is ready for launch in the Fat Cat backpack.
Of all the popular packs out there, the “Fat Cat” holds the most cat—up to 25 pounds. As such, it’s very roomy: 14 inches across, 11 inches deep, and 17 inches high. On the outside, the Fat Cat looks like a regular backpack—with the addition of a delightful fish bowl window for passenger viewing.
Inside, the Fat Cat has snag-resistant material so kitty doesn’t get hung up anywhere. There is a soft liner for cat comfort that you can put in the bottom of the pack. This is removable and can be washed in case of accidents.
On each side is a convenient stretch pocket so you can carry water for you and your kitty, as well as anything else you might need on your jaunt. There are mesh screens on each side and on the top flap, and large air holes in the bottom.
The top flap opens by zipper for easy cat installation. There’s also a smaller flap within this that you can open for cats who like to peek out. Simply roll up the mesh and secure it with the built-in clip. To prevent escapes, an internal bungee cord clips onto your cat’s harness. (Bonus: The clip is metal so you don’t have to worry about breakable plastic.)
Human comfort is not overlooked here. There’s padding on the straps and lumbar area; and the adjustable straps and chest clasp make it easier to get the perfect fit. There’s also a smaller “mini” size available, which is ideal for cats weighing up to 15 pounds.
Rover Kitties Beso and Lewis Try Out the Fat Cat Backpack
Intruder alert!
In addition to being highly Instagrammable, the Fat Cat is also highly rated, so our hope was that it would be as much fun for our kitty testers as it would be for the humans.
Because the Fat Cat fits cats up to 25 pounds, we chose Beso and Lewis to test it out. Weighing in at 19 pounds, Beso is the perfect candidate for finding out if it’s truly manageable to get around with that kind of weight in the backpack.
Lewis is a smaller kitty, just 8 pounds, so he’s easy to cart around. He also loves a good adventure and has a congenital spinal deformity that makes it hard to get him into a regular kitty carrier. Both kitties are indoor-only (except for occasional forays into a catio), and neither is trained for walking on a leash.
The Fat Cat arrived ready to go, with a sturdy plastic screen installed in the round spot where the “kitty bubble” would be. Obviously, this is easier for shipping, but we discovered it was also convenient for times when you don’t have a lot of space, which protruding bubble windows can take up.
That said, the first thing we did was install the bubble window. It was easy to do—a few twists and the screen was out; a few twists the other way and the bubble was in!
During our outings, we discovered that the Fat Cat is easy to use, extremely comfortable to wear, and roomy and secure enough for the kitties to enjoy.
Beso was fine with it, making it my go-to carrier for his vet visits. Lewis, on the other hand, thought it was a blast. He’s not leash trained, but he loves going outside—and we discovered this is a fantastic and safe way to do it. He didn’t try to escape the Fat Cat and was trilling with joy as we did a walkabout of our neighborhood.
Lewis contemplates snow suspiciously from a safe vantage.
What we liked about the Fat Cat backpack
Ample ventilation.
As with any cat carrier, ventilation is a top priority. The breathable mesh sides and top of the Fat Cat are great for encouraging airflow so your cat doesn’t get stuffy or overheated. For increased air, you can even replace the clear bubble with a mesh insert (which, incidentally, has the added benefit of giving kitty more privacy).
It’s comfortable to carry.
This is crucial when you have a feline chonk strapped to your back. For the human tester, the backpack was easy to pick up and easy to wear. Even with big boy Beso inside it was comfortable—and the padded straps provided perfect weight distribution.
Storage included.
Side pockets are a huge plus in our book. We loved having a convenient place to stash things likes treats, leashes, and keys.
What’s not so great
Top-entry only.
For us, the wide top opening made it simple to pop both kitties in without forcing them. However, many cat parents struggle with top-loading carriers and might be better off with a pack that opens on the sides as well.
It’s pretty pricey.
As cat backpacks go, the Fat Cat’s price tag is on the steeper side. You’ll have to weigh your own budget against the benefits of this carrier to determine if it’s a worthwhile investment. If your cat is usually on board with new experiences and you’re looking for a carrier upgrade, we think it probably is.
The Recommendation: The Fat Cat Backpack Is Worth Every Penny
Overall, Beso and Lewis found the Fat Cat to be roomy and breathable, with plenty of space for checking things out. It’s a good pick for chill cats who can manage a top entry. The eye-catching astronaut bubble is sure to garner some attention, which shyer cats (and humans) might not love. We think the Fat Cat is great for short jaunts, but serious hikers might want to look for something that’s waterproof and expandable.
Who will appreciate the Fat Cat most:
- Adventurous cats who are okay with new things
- Leash-trained cats who like exploring but need help crossing difficult terrain
- Larger cats who won’t fit into most backpack carriers
- Humans who want a more comfortable way to distribute their heavy cat’s weight during travel
Who might want to look elsewhere:
- Nervous or shy cats who avoid the unfamiliar
- Cats who are afraid of the outdoors
- Skittish cats that resist top-loading carriers
- Bikers: the pack is structured, but not hard enough to absorb the impact of a spill
- Teeny cats (there’s a mini “Fat Cat” backpack for you!)
Lewis plans world domination from the comfort of his new carrier.
Pet Parent Resources
Not ready to take kitty on an adventure? Explore Rover’s pet-sitting services for cats (and dog boarding options for canine family members).