I've just had a very unsuccessful attempt at taking my two cats to the vets. They're not ill but they need their jabs and i thought it would be better for them if i took them both in together. They were rescue cats and so easily scared... I managed to get them both in the carrier but then it can't have been shut properly because one of them burst out just as I opened the door (luckily ran straight into the house) and they are both now hiding under the bed

Am I being too ambitious taking them both at once? Has anyone else got any tips for getting them in? I feel awful now that they think I am trying to kill them

Both in the same carrier? Maybe a better idea to carry them separately in case their stress is feeding into each other- and in case they panic and hurt each other if they are nervous.

My Tig isn't a fan of her carrier, I pop her in with the carrier on-end, scruff her (lightly as she bruises easily- luckily she stills at the lightest touch) and support her back end (so she's sitting on my hand) and lower her in swiftly, I use a soft carrier for her so I can zip it and leave room only for my arm which I take out last after releasing the scruff I leave a towel with my scent on in there with a calming scented tag as well.

If your cats are into treats perhaps you could get them used to having treats around the carrier, and slowly put the treats in the mouth of the carrier- maybe positive reinforcement with the carrier over time might help? I found it helped having he carriers out on display for a while with my two. Just a thought

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Thanks
When I got them, they were in the same carrier (it's quite big) and were totally quiet (well, probably terrified) in the car- but I suppose they were smaller then. Suppose it was a silly idea but I thought they would be more scared on their own....
Still under the bed, don't know when they will come out!!

Will try your ideas on one of them when they show their faces....

I agree with AmberNero and I would take them in separate carriers.
When I had to take Shadow to the vet last Monday there was no sign of stress from him

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Black with white around his private area



Black Tortoiseshell




R.I.P Patch my well behaved boy dog
R.I.P. Abby and Rebel my beautifull litter sister cats

oh, and the other thing is, they used to sleep in the carrier a lot of the time until I put it in the spare room, so they are kind of familiar with it, but obviously not being picked up in it with the door shut....

It might stress them out if you try to take one or both to the vets today. I would let them settle before attempting again.

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Black with white around his private area



Black Tortoiseshell




R.I.P Patch my well behaved boy dog
R.I.P. Abby and Rebel my beautifull litter sister cats

My two are quite good! Benji even sleeps in his carier!

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Mummy to;

Sooty 9.6.1996 - 28.04.2011 Rest in peace my love!
Storm (Sueragdandy Phantom) 28.02.2010
Benji (Kassaro Benjamin Franklyn) 08.03.2011

Is there any reason why they are afraid of the carrier when it is closed? A bad vet experience etc? My Vet told me after neutering my boys would probably hate the carrier. Thankfully this has not been the case at all.

Like you, I think that being together in a carrier will stress them out less than being in individual carriers, but I think this depends on the cats.

The Furbies are now 9 months old and two weeks ago I took them to the vet for a check up. I left the carrier open in the hallway and they both climbed in and sat there waiting for me. (I only use one carrier too) They had no objections to me closing the door. I didnt hear a peep from them during the drive to the vet and they had their check up and happily went back into the carrier afterwards.

The Vet commented on what a lovely carrier it was too as it has a top and side opening so it is less intimidating for the cat when going in/out. When we got home they continued to sit inside - still together and not protesting.

This is the carrier we have;

PetCargo® cabrio

It is pretty big and moulded plastic so quite comfortable for them. I used to put a towel as something soft for them to sit on, but now they are older they are happy with the way it is. It is also easy to clean in case of accidents.

If I had nervous cats I would probably give the a treat after closing the door and during the trip and after the visit etc, so the whole experience is a little bit positive for them, as well as all that gentle cooing that we owners seem to do when fussing around our cats.

Good luck with the trip - I hope they calm down enough to get in x

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Lumboo has pipped me to the post! My pet cargo cabrio is one of the best things I ever bought for my pets, having the option to put them in via the door or the roof means I never have to struggle anymore with a cat impersonating a star fish.

All five of our cats are rescues but two of them are particularly damaged, I still find they prefer to travel with another cat. There's a lot less meowing on the way and they are always snuggled up together when we get there. I would persevere with letting them travel in the same carrier personally.

Thanks for your replies! I managed to get one of them in, he had calmed down loads strangely enough and although he was crying all the way in the car he was very well behaved at the vets (probably too scared to move really....) and is now home again recovering.
Second one on Friday....

Will look at those carriers thanks! I think it's the being moved around and going out in the car that they hate, they are not good with new situations...