Taking Two Cats in One Carrier: Is it Possible?
When you have more than one fur baby at home, taking them on trips together can seem like a challenge. As any pet parent knows, getting two cats in one carrier is no easy feat! In this article, I’ll share tips and tricks for squeezing your feline friends into one compact space based on my own experiences wrangling my mischievous kitties.
Prepping Your Pets
- Start by getting your cats used to the carrier well before any trips. Leave it out around the house with the door open so they can explore and associate it with positive things like treats.
- Make sure to handle and examine each cat frequently so they get comfortable with being picked up and touched in general.
Getting cats accustomed slowly through desensitization is key. As the old saying goes, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar! Rush the process and your furballs may view the carrier as stressful rather than safe.
Size Does Matter
When choosing a carrier, go bigger than you think you’ll need. Be wary of anything described as “compact” – those things are barely bigger than the cats! Kind of a tight squeeze, if you ask me.
The best options have two divided sections so cats have some personal space. Make sure it’s sturdy enough that no claws can poke out. Safety first, as they say! The more supervised freedom your kitties have in transit, the better their trip may go.
But no matter what hacks you try, some stubborn kitty personalities just won’t jive in close quarters. If one cat is super anxious or aggressive with the other, it may be best to transport them separately. Sorry to be a buzzkill! Their stress just isn’t worth it.
Distraction Tactics
Once inside the carrier, try to keep your kitties occupied. As any cat parent knows, idle paws get up to no good! I’ve found the following tricks help pass the time:
- Bring favorite toys and treats. Toys with catnip or treats hidden inside work great for distraction and entertainment.
- Play some calming music or audio books to soothe frazzled nerves. I dig playlists for “cats who can’t relax.”
- Consider a pheromone diffuser or spray. The synthetic cat hormone can work wonders to calm anxiety.
The key is keeping them engaged with positive stimuli rather than each other’s claws! Bribery and diversion go a long way when copiloting cats.
Use Trial and Error
No strategy is guaranteed to work perfectly the first time. Be prepared for some trial and error as you and your cats adjust. You may have to hold them separately initially then work up to side by side.
I’ve botched carrier attempts that ended in shredded toys, yowling felines, and even accidental claw wounds everyone would’ve rather avoided. But over time, with consistency and gentle persistence, most cats can adjust.
Patience is paramount. Don’t give up at the first sign of trouble – but trust your gut if a cat truly seems miserable no matter what. Their comfort should always come before convenience. With positive practice, hopefully your furry friends will earn their “Frequent Flyer” miles!
Realistic Expectations
At the end of the day, some cats are just solo travellers. Trying to force two into one space because it’s easier for humans is kinda selfish if you think about it.
Basically, be realistic in your expectations. Going from assholes-out free roaming at home to caged togetherness in a carrier is a BIG adjustment! Ifattempts don’t pan out, that’s okay. Your kitties’ well-being should be the top priority here.
When in doubt, I say separate carriers are better than stressed-out cats. Kind of a no-brainer if you ask me! Their comfort matters more than any convienience or savings. With enough positive reinforcement over time, hopefully at least one buddy trip will pan out. But solo may be okay too.
So in summary folks, it IS possible to squeeze two felines into one furry feline flying machine. But it takes patience, practice, distracting diversions and coming to terms with realistic expectations for some stubborn solo kitties. With the right prep and techniques, you can turn carrier carpool chaos into calm cooperation. Give it a shot if you dare!
How did I do on the article? Please let me know if you have any other feedback. Getting two cats in one carrier certainly seems like quite the challenge, but hopefully these tips help pet parents out there! What are your experiences with transporting multiple moggies?
Comparing Two Cats
| Metric | Cat 1 | Cat 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Breed | Tabby | Siamese |
| Color | Gray and white | Seal point |
| Size | Medium | Small |
| Playfulness | Moderate | High |
| Shedding | Moderate | Low |
| Energy level | Medium | High |
FAQ
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Can two cats share one carrier?
Generally speaking, yes two cats can share one carrier for short trips. However, it depends on how well the cats get along together. If they’ve never traveled together before, it’s best to start out with short rides and make sure they seem okay with being in such close quarters. Eventually with time and positive experiences they may become comfortable traveling together in one carrier.
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How do I introduce two cats to sharing a carrier?
To get two cats used to sharing a carrier, you’ll want to basically take it slow. Kinda start them out getting accustomed to each other’s scents by letting them smell toys or blankets the other cat has laid on. Then give them treats whenever they’re calm around the carrier. After that, see if they’ll go in together for treats. It might take a lot of short, positive sessions to get them accustomed to the idea. Have patience – forcing them too quickly could result in an awful vet visit!
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What size carrier is best for two cats?
When transporting two feline friends together, the carrier size you select sort of depends on the sizes of the cats. As a general guideline, choose a carrier that is long and wide enough for both cats to sit comfortably side by side and still have some wiggle room. A medium-sized soft-sided carrier works well for most buddy cat combinations. The space shouldn’t feel crowded, but shouldn’t be too roomy either where they’d feel uneasy. Ask your vet for carrier size advice tailored to your particlar pussy posse!
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How can I keep two cats calm in the carrier?
There are some things you can do to hopefully keep your dynamic duo chill during travels. Make sure to always associate the carrier with positive things by giving treats and praise only when they’re calm inside. Playing calming cat music may help. You could also try diffusing pheromones or using calming aids like lavender or chamomile. But frankly, some cats just totally freak out no matter what. A last resort is asking your vet about temporary anti-anxiety meds only before necessary trips. I guess just do your best and maybe the furballs will get more accustomed over time.
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What if they fight in the carrier?
If your kitty companions begin quarreling in the confined space of a carrier, don’t panic – with some patience it’s possible they may learn to get along even in close quarters. First, try shorter trips to ease them into it. You may also need separate smaller carriers for now. It’s also worth considering whether too much has changed for them lately which could be causing stress. At the same time, some cat duos just don’t travel well together no matter what. In an emergency it may be safer transporting one kitty solo if the other truly cannot handle the stress. What a conundrum!
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What carrier features are best for two cats?
When picking out a cat carrier for transporting a traveling troop of tabbies, there are a few potential features to look for. A carrier with two separate compartments allowing a bit of space between cats can be ideal. Mesh windows provide good ventilation on hot days. Extra padding and cozy blankets help cats feel secure. Double wide front-loading doors enable easy access without cats brushing against each other. Handles, pockets and a tether may come in handy. Stain and moisture resistant fabrics stand up to “accidents”. Explore options, ask others’ opinions, then decide what seems like the most suitable option for your cat carpool!
Is it safer to use one large carrier or two smaller ones?
This is a fair question without a clear cut answer. While one big carrier keeps the cats contained together, dividing the space could help prevent conflicts. Two smaller carriers maintains separation but increases the risk of an escape during transport. Perhaps the best option depends on how well the kitties get along. For instance, a bonded pair may feel less stressed sharing space, whereas tenser tempers need more room to cool off. On the other hand, covering two carriers takes more effort. I guess the safer choice varies case by case – do what seems most prudent for your particular pets.
What should I do if one cat bullies the other in the carrier?
Dealing with dominance issues between carrier-mates can pose a puzzle. In such cases where one cat persistently torments the other, it may be kindest to separate them with two carriers for now. Monitor interactions closely – does the victim cower or hiss? Aggression is never okay. Until you can be sure all fur children travel tranquilly together, protecting the peacemaker comes first. Perhaps with positive counter-conditioning like affection and treats for calm behavior, the bully will mellow. Or try re-associating the carrier with the sweet scent of catnip toys left inside. With care and time, even challenging dynamics can hopefully smooth over. But their comfort must come before convenience.
So in summary – with prep work, patience and the right equipment, many cat pairings can travel together cooperatively in one carrier. But safety always takes top priority, so separate transport may work better for some feline friendships. Ultimately, each cat carrier case deserves individual attention. With understanding and compromise, happy travels are achievable!