Cat Backpacks! An Honest Review Of ‘The Fat Cat’ Backpack

Cat backpacks are backpacks for your cat! The old, classic, rectangular, cat carrier has been updated. Cat backpacks are easy and convenient ways to get from one place to another with your cat- hands-free. Just place your cat in the cat-friendly and cat-safe backpack, and see where you and your furry friend end up! This is a trendy and fun way to bond and go on adventures with your cat. One cat backpack, in particular, is everywhere. You may have heard of it: “The Fat Cat Backpack.” Is this backpack worth all the hype? The answer is fully revealed below.

Cat Backpacks: The Fat Cat Backpack

Product: The Fat Cat Backpack

Price: $189 CDN

Cheapest Place To Buy: $189 through Amazon, which offers free shipping over $35

Dimensions: 15 x 11.4 x 17.7 IN || 38 x 29 x 45 CM (Bag itself weighs 2lbs || .9kg)

Maximum Weight It Can Hold: Cats: 25lbs, Dogs: 17.6lbs || 11.5kg, 8kg

Guarantee/Warranty/Returns: (on the official Fat Cat Site): No returns! All sales final! Once an order is made, there is no canceling! You can return your item only if it is damaged and you can present proof of this- i.e. a picture& video- within 10 days, they will send you what needs to be replaced.

My Rating: 4/5

Sweet Bonus Features: Airline approved!

Watch Out For: The price tag, shipping rates, no returns, other options.

Affiliate Disclosure: I strive to promote great information and products on my website. Please know that if you make a purchase after reading this post, you will be purchasing as a well-informed customer! Additionally, please be aware that, if you purchase through a link on this post, I will receive a small commission as a result. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure here.

Cat Backpacks: The Pros

This is a beautiful-looking bag and is of good quality. It may last longer than one you would buy for a cheaper price. This higher quality and durability may also make it better suited to more intense adventures like hikes.

There’s an opening top for your cat to peep out of. Some other backpacks on the market do not have this feature. This is great if used in combination with the internal clip and bungee, only if you attach your cat to it by a harness- not a collar! (More on that below). This keeps your cat from jumping out, yet lets him view the world completely.

As mentioned above, there is a clip with a bungee that you can attach your cat to on the inside. However, this is not a long bungee, and you may need to attach an additional leash to it so that your cat can be free to move around adequately. However, only do any of this, if the clip and bungee are attached to a harness on your cat. Never attached your cat(s) by the collar to the clip and the bungee as it could harm your cat’s neck. This is really important. More on that below in the con section.

Alternative to the ‘Fat Cat’ – the Bubble Pack

The bubble attachment is a fun idea. It allows your cat a full view of its surroundings from left to right. This bubble can be replaced with a mesh cover if you want more ventilation. However, the bubble does have holes in it, of course, to give your cat fresh air and breathing space! You can drop treats through the holes in the bubble like a treat dispenser! 😉

There is a screen on the top, on both sides, and holes underneath the bubble (as well as holes in the Bubble, as noted above) for full ventilation for Cat.

Shoulder straps are adjustable and there is an adjustable chest strap to help distribute the weight of your cat.

Texsens Pet Backpack Carrier for Small Cats Dogs | Ventilated Design, Safety Straps, Buckle Support, Collapsible | Designed for Travel, Hiking & Outdoor Use

Pockets on both sides for storage come in handy when on longer trips. You can put a water bottle in there without compromising space for your cat, or fill it with your cat’s supplies.

The mat inside can be taken in and out, (aids too in cleaning) and when inside, keeps the place comfy and soft for your cat.

The mesh is strong, and the website reports that no cat has broken through it yet!

You can use the bag for multiple animals. But you will of course have to experiment to make sure that yours do in fact fit comfortably. You can fit multiple kittens inside, or two smaller to medium-small cats. If you have a small dog, you can use his bag ultimately for a dog backpack, as a bag will hold a 17 1/2 pound dog.

Petsfit Soft Hiking Cat Backpack Carrier for Pets Under 16 Pounds

The bag is approved for Airlines! (Fat Cat).

And let’s be honest, how is it not fun to be able to take your cat out in a backpack? Many cats find this experience to be a happy and enriching one. Contrary to popular belief, many cats actually love traveling and being outside! Just like dogs do! Many cats also love spending time with their masters and bonding with them.

In general, most cats can see this bag as a safe place to hang out. They may even like to be in it around the house.

There are a plethora of places that you can take your cat in this bag: hiking, walks, to the vet, bike rides, trips through the city, and even out to eat :)!

SlowTon Pet Carrier Backpack for Small Dog Cat, Airline Approved with Mesh Windows Locking Clasps Leash Portable Carrying Bag Small Puppies Rabbits Up to 16lbs Travel Outdoor Use

It may not seem like this at first glance, but being able to ditch a traditional carrier is really a plus. It leaves your hands free and you don’t have to lug around one gigantic box with your hands, smacking and hitting things. In this way, it can seem very luxurious.

Cats generally find the space a comfortable one. Your cat can really come to love the space of the backpack if it is associated with positive experiences. Some like to hang out inside it when it is lying around the house!

And cat parents can get pretty excited about this new concept! You too can have pictures and videos of your fun adventures with your cat and your backpack in beautiful outdoor spaces- a dream for the pet parent 🙂 🙂

PetAmi Pet Carrier Backpack for Small Cats, Dogs, Puppies | Airline Approved | Ventilated, 4 Way Entry, Safety and Soft Cushion Back Support | Collapsible for Travel, Hiking, Outdoor (Turquoise)

Cat Backpacks: The Cons

This backpack is expensive. There are a lot of backpacks similar to it on the market that are much cheaper. Some of these even have added features like an attached fold-out tent. Essentially, you can fold out the backpack to make it into a mini Cat House or mini Cat tent for stops in the Great Outdoors.

This bag may not be suitable for very big cats. I personally would love to try it with my cat, but my cat is around 19 lb and much too long to fit comfortably in the compartment. The bag was thought of with big cats in mind. Hence, it was named “The Fat Cat backpack.” However, very big cats may not work with this bag- for example, Maine Coon cats or breeds with Maine Coon in them.

Some customers have reported that the bag seems smaller than it should be upon receiving it. The dimensions listed on the website may be from exterior points to other exterior points, instead of measurements from interior wall to interior wall. This can actually shave-off a few inches and can make a difference for some cats. This can also make or break whether you really can have more than one cat inside.

Space Capsule Pet Travel Bag, Airline Approved Knapsack for Cat Dog

A few others commented that it really wasn’t suitable for more than one cat, although it was advertised to work for multiple cats. Possibly, it would have been better for the marketer to spell-out that the bag is suitable for more than one smaller animal or med-small animals. Two medium-sized cats can push the limits of the bag for some.

There is a clip with a short bungee inside the bag. This is advertised as a place to attached your cat’s leash to. In this way, you can open the top of the bag, and your cat can hang out without jumping out. This is a great idea, I just wish that the owners would have added a word of caution here. You should not be attaching your cat’s collar to the clip and bungee ever. You should first be putting your cat in a harness and then attaching that to the clip and bungee. If you don’t do this, you can really injure your cat’s neck. If the cat tries to get out, jumps, and pulls at the collar this can spell bad news. However, with a harness, this would be no problem. A harness allows the weight to be evenly distributed around the body of the cat and not centralized around the neck. This is a safety item the needs to be spelled out by the manufacturers.

Expandable Cat Carrier Backpack for Dogs Cats Puppy, Airline Approved Travel Pet Carrier Backpack with Bubble Space Ventilated Breathable Mesh

Some people have reported that their cat was unable to lie down while attached to this clip and bungee. This could be resolved by putting your cat in a harness, attaching the harness to a short leash, then attaching the leash to the clip in the bag. The real drawback here is that this wasn’t explained properly on the website.

A few users have reported difficulty attaching and detaching the cat bubble and the cat’s mesh for the bubble. Most people do not have difficulty with this.

This doesn’t necessarily need to be spelled out by the manufacturer, but it is important to keep in mind that if you have a heavy cat or dog in this backpack, it is going to be heavy on your back! The strap across the chest helps to distribute the weight across the body, but the bag would benefit from a strap around the waist in addition to this. This would help with heavier animals. Especially if you are planning on going longer distances than a block or two!

Cat Carrier Cat Backpack Carrier for 20 lbs – Large Cats for Hiking Airline Approved

A few buyers have reported problems with shipping- shipping taking too long or is too expensive. Certainly, if you’re far away from the distributor in Queens, New York, your shipping will be more expensive. There are no deals on the website. I looked at the cost to ship mine to the Vancouver area in Canada, and it was around $25 USD. If you were to get this bag on Amazon, you could get the shipping for free and quickly. I’ve never had a problem with Amazon taking a long time to ship me an order. Definitely, if you are close to the manufacturers, the shipping would not be as much of a problem.

I wouldn’t say this is a disadvantage per se, but depending on the personality of your cat, your cat may be happier with a cat backpack that is more open to the world around it. For example, some cat packs come with a completely see-through bubble at the front. Essentially, the whole front of the backpack is a window for your cat. The Fat Cat has a bubble that can help your cat see around the world in the 360. But, if your cat is claustrophobic, or skiddish, it may be more comfortable with a backpack that has the whole front as a bubble, so to speak.

Apollo walker Pet Carrier Backpack for Large/Small Cats and Dogs, Puppies, Safety Features and Cushion Back Support for Travel, Hiking, Outdoor Use

Your cat might not like this backpack or backpacks at all! If he/she hates being inside any backpack, do not force it on your cat. If you think they may be able to adjust slowly, then gradually get your cat used to the backpack but with patience, gentleness, care, and love! You can use a step-by-step process for this. First, open the bag around the house so that your cat can go inside it around your place. Then, go for short around your house inside with your cat in the cat backpack. Then go for shorter periods outside- then try for a longer outside time. Use treats and affirmation to reward this step-by-step process when your cat achieves part or parts of this process! (You can break the whole thing down into smaller steps, this is just an example of what you could do.) And, take note of where you’re taking your cat. If there are loud noises, distractions, and things that will terrify your cat- like big barking dogs- consider a quieter space if your cat is afraid.

This is definitely a luxury item. If you have extra money, I would say go for it. If not, this is one of those cases where a backpack of the same kind that is cheaper will be just fine.

Airline Approved Pet Carrier, Bubble Backpack Carrier for Cats

Cat backpacks. The Fat Cat Backpack. What’s The Verdict?

Overall, this is a nice pack and it’s of good quality. That being said, it is expensive. If you do not have the money for it, a cat backpack of a similar kind but a reduced price will be just fine. There are many of them. With so many types of cat backpacks out there right now, I recommend writing down what you and your cat are looking for in the backpack. One may not be necessarily ‘worse’ than the other, just not your preference or your cat’s preference. Experiment and keep your receipts. Make sure you get a pack with a warranty and a return option. Every cat is different, and so is every person. You may find that you purchase a backpack, and it is great, but one variable is a deal-breaker for you. For instance, maybe you didn’t realize how much weight would be on your back, and you purchased a backpack with only a chest strap. You could take it back, and look for one with a chest strap and a waist strap. This is definitely an option.

Bottom line: Your cat will love an outdoor adventure with you!

And let’s be honest! Who knows how your cat is going to react to this product. Your cat might not like the ‘Fat Cat’ option, but they might be more than happy with a backpack that has a completely see-thru front. Additionally, you may hate the feel of a boxy pack on your back. You can swap it out and try it for the taller, rectangular packs. Or a smaller one with fewer features. All this being said, if you know yourself and your cat, and you know that you will love the ‘Fat Cat,’ then go for it! Adventures await! But be sure. There are no returns on this item, and you don’t want to be stuck with a $150 bag you can’t use! Whatever bag you go with, make sure that you check the dimensions and get the right size for your pet.

Have any experiences or opinions about cat backpacks or ‘The Fat Cat’ backpack? Please fill us in! Let us know in the comments below!

Cat Video Of The Day!!!!!!!!!