Cat back packs are becoming increasingly fashionable – thanks in no small part to their appearance in some current pop culture moments.
The bags are backpacks with a transparent ‘window' that can be used to tote around animals – normally cats, but also sometimes small dogs.
And they split opinions, with some people thinking they are useful for carrying their pets around with them. However, many believe they are cruel.
Despite this, they are favoured by a range of celebrities, who have been seen using the bags.
For example, megastar Taylor Swift was seen toting her feline in one in Miss Americana.
Taylor Swift is seen carrying her cat in the Miss Americana Netflix documentary, which will stream in the UK from January 31
Claudia Schiffer is seen donning a model of ‘Chip the cat' who is a motif from upcoming major motion picture Argylle
In addition, the cat in a back pack has become the motif for what has already become 2024's most talked about movie – retro spy film Argylle, which stars Dua Lipa and Henry Cavill.
Due to the cat motif, celebrities were seen toting a model of the animal from the film in a back pack.
German model Claudia Schiffer looked typically glam as she attended the world premiere of spy model Argylle in London earlier this month, with a model of the film's ‘Chip the cat' in a bag on her back.
In addition, other celebrities have been see out and about toting their cats around in the carriers.
One of them in Queen's Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy, who was seen with her cat in a backpack as she strolled through the streets of Sydney.
Actor Kate Beckinsale is another famous fan of the carriers, and shared Instagram images of herself carrying beloved moggies Clive and Willow back in 2021.
But while all this promotion of the bags means more and more people may be tempted to buy into the trend, this is not necessarily a good thing, according to an RSPCA spokesperson.
In fact, they told FEMAIL that they would not recommend that the backpack are used to transport felines.
Actor Kate Beckinsdale shared images of herself carried her beloved cats Clive and Willow back in 2021 on Instagram
Meanwhile, actor Anya Taylor-Joy was seen striding through the streets in 2022 with her furry companions in one of the carriers
This, they explained, is because ‘cats naturally hide or try to run away when they feel stressed or scared – but this instinct could be restricted when they are contained inside these clear bags'.
The spokesperson added that they ‘know that loving cat owners may have the best of intentions by wanting to have their cats close to them'.
They added: ‘Although cats love to explore and are naturally inquisitive they are also inherently territorial which means they are homely creatures who often feel most secure in their own home and local area.'
Finally, the expert pointed out, these backpacks are ‘often small, very restrictive and can interfere with temperature regulation'.
‘We also advise owners to monitor their cats for any signs of stress when introducing them to new or different experiences but this becomes very difficult when cats are travelling on their owners’ backs,' they concluded.
