A pet carrier includes a bottom panel having a pair of end edges and a pair of side edges, a pair of side panels connected to the side edges of the bottom panel, a pair of end panels connected to the end edges of the bottom panel, and a top panel connected to the pair of side panels and the pair of end panels. The bottom panel, the pair of side panels, the pair of end panels, and the top panel enclose a first interior area when the pet carrier is in a compact configuration. The top panel includes an expandable portion configured to be raised above the pair of side panels and the pair of end panels to form a second interior area greater than the first interior area when the pet carrier is in an expanded configuration.