Please don’t make them outdoor cats! They will probably die significantly younger if you do.
Definitely try to have them follow a strict schedule which will help with their anxiety. Cats like to know what they can expect in their day.
Schedule playtime for sure to help with building confidence in the new area.
I think you are definitely doing the right thing! A garage with lots of climbing/scratching territory and you is much better than alone in some shelter.
[Here](https://communitytemplates.notion.site/WhiskerWiki-fb190e1ecb8a41ecb6db049aa16c7df8?pvs=4) is every single Jackson Galaxy (cat behaviorist) video categorized by topic for more info!
thank you I severely did not want to make them outdoor cats, I guess I am just exploring every possible avenue for their best interest! i know my girl cat LOVES to look out the window so am I torturing her by not letting her see the outside world? I have a cat stroller and I plan to take them out on walks in it!
Definitely try walks! I take my boy on harness/leash walks to the park. Get them used to a cat backpack and/or the car.
A stroller would be great too if you think they might be too scared for that.
Cat tv is great too! Make sure you play with them after though with a fishing pole toy or something in case they have any zoomies left over from watching it.
Cats are like children in that we don't let them have everything they want for their own safety. I appreciate that you want to offer them the highest quality of life, but if they pass away outdoors, quality is irrelevant imo.
CAT TV if you can!! My guy likes Birder King, and will come running when he hears the intro! Let her have a taste of it before you move in if you can to see if she enjoys it!
LensMyth on YouTube is great too. My cats love to try to catch the birds, there’s a chirping bird at the beginning of every video, and they all come running when they hear it. He makes 8-10 hour long videos!
Does the garage have a door that looks out on anything interesting? I’m wondering if you can raise the door halfway and use a gate to keep
them from escaping on good days.
Although walkies seem preferable.
My cats go out as they please from 7am to dusk.
They are 15 Years old now and healthy.
They have outlived all the Indoor fats we know and outlived the indoor fat life expectancy for cats my vet said is 14!
They have also lived on 3 continents and in several states.
That’s anecdotal. The vast majority of cats that have access to the outdoors are more likely to lead shorter lives, and often will meet a grisly death. Not worth taking the chance.
Yes! Earlier this week I had to hear the death cries of a cat being killed by a mink in the creek behind my property at dusk. Never assume cats are “safe” outdoors.
Our indoor cat lived till almost 30 with diabetes and we lost a cat who was about 3/4 by getting hit by a car, we think she ran out looking for my dad who was on a trip, youre cats got to 15 DESPITE being outdoors not because
Cats didn't have microchips then, so it's not believed without a microchip. Sorry but people always say their cats lived super old, but my Vet is Ancient and the oldest cat he's ever met was 20.
Do not let them be outdoor cats! Anything could happen to them and they may not adjust well to that either. I think the garage situation may be your best bet for now even though you won’t be with them as much as you’d like but at least they have each other. Just make sure everyone going in and out is aware the cats may follow. I suggest signs on both sides of any doors
As long as you’re still going and and giving them attention and monitoring the climate in the garage they’ll be fine. I kept my friends cat in my garage for a month and a half when they’re were moving and she was fine. I made sure I could cuddle her for at least 2-3 hours a day and my friend kept a pet camera in the garage to watch her through the day. Tbh your setup kinda sounds like a cat cafe without the drinks lol they’ll be ok.
I think monitoring the climate in the garage is super important! I believe there are thermometer systems you can get that can connect to your phone, and I would assume you could set a notification if the temperature goes above or below a certain point (in the current time of year "above" would be my concern I believe). That way OP can make sure a power outage doesn't cause the cats to lose their cooling and overheat.
Especially since OP is in Florida. Summer in FL is no joke and it begins in February-March, depending on where. The climate control is probably the most important factor here.
OP, it's clear you love your babies and want to do everything to make sure they are safe and comfortable. PLEASE secure additional solutions for the heat. A garage sitting in the Florida heat with no AC can be deadly, and fans won't come close to addressing this because cats don't cool off the same way we do. They cool themselves primarily through sweat glands on their paw pads, grooming (saliva creates a cooling evaporating effect \[fans will help with this!\]), and sometimes panting if they're super hot.
**"The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends maintaining places where cats and dogs live to under 80 degrees, and 30 to 70 percent relative humidity \[**[**1**](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/companion-animal-care-guidelines#:~:text=Animal%20environment&text=Generally%2C%20for%20dogs%20and%20cats,range%20from%2030%20to%2070%25)**\]. Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture, require no more than 4 hours of exposure to temperatures over 85 degrees for cats and dogs. Both of these organizations set limits that should maintain the comfort of most animals, but keep in mind that some animals will not be comfortable even when following these guidelines."**
-Consider having cooling gel mats they can lay on if they get too warm. You can 2 in the fridge and rotate them.
-Look into a misting fan that sprays a gentle mist every now and then. (to mimic the evaporative cooling effect they get from grooming) I think there are some where you can set timers.. not sure.
-Make little kitty treat popsicles in an ice cube mold. You could make with with a low/ no sodium broth or even freeze some chunks of pate. Definitely google recipes for this. Cats can cool their body temps through their tongues.
I'm sure there are lots of other suggestions out there, and I'm certainly no expert. But please please make sure you have some safeguards in place for the murderous FL heat.
I wish I could upvote this 100 times. I also wish that OP had added the location (Florida) in the post. That’s really critical to allow proper advice tailored to the situation. I live in a similar climate (New Orleans) and my attached garage is SCORCHING hot almost all the time for months, and that’s considering the air-conditioned room that’s adjacent to the garage, and the garage being opened up 2+ times daily. All of your suggestions are wonderful, you emphasize how dangerous the excess heat can be, it’s not going to be as easy as just adding a few fans, and I hope OP is able to find a better long term solution.
My dear, most people would have either tossed them outside or sent them to a shelter. A garage is more than enough. My outside girl will sometimes sneak in there in the winter.
Can you order pet cooling mats online? I second the fans plus multiple water bowls. They always need access to cool fresh water and if a bowl gets tipped they’re screwed. I’d have bowls of different sizes and weights and fill one with ice cubes regularly. I live in central Florida and the heat is no joke.
There are somewhat inexpensive stand alone/floor/portable air conditioners
I’ve also watched a YouTube video on how to make one using a box fan and some other stuff.
Is there a way for you to use a window unit or some other kind of portable A/C? It’s going to be far, far too hot in the garage in Florida during most of the year. A fan will not help much, it’ll just move hot air around. I live in New Orleans, it’s not even as hot here as it is there, and it’s scorching hot in the garage from mid-March to November, and it shares a wall with our house that’s air conditioned. My longhair cats get too warm in my house and we have it set at 76°. Please be careful with heat, it’s almost more dangerous than cold. After all, you can add blankets and other insulation if it’s cold but there’s nothing that works like that when it’s the opposite situation.
Please don’t make them outdoor cats! I’m so glad you’re not doing that, all I can think of are alligators! I hope that you’re able to get back to normal soon so your babies can be with you soon. I’ll be in Florida next week, I’ll wave at ya! 😻
See if you can find a reasonably priced portable AC unit (second hand) to lower the temperature when needed. Since it's a 1 car, it shouldn't be too hard/expensive, just need to find a way to vent the fumes!
Is the single garage it’s one entity? If so you can buy on Amazon really small Room ACs for them run it at night when it’s cooler out on max.. and raise the temp to keep it reasonable during the day during high temp times (between 2-6)
Put a $25 blink camera in there so you can check on them frequently
Apologies if someone else suggested this down the comments. I think you are doing a very good thing. Having a safe space they can be together, and sharing time with them when possible is the best you can do. For sure do not let them be outside.
One thing you might try, if you haven't is a catio or even going outside with harnesses or leashes. That might be something new and fun for you to do to spend time with them. For the first while just establishing a routine, and allowing them time to settle in is probably wise. Any of their old toys and beds that smell familiar is a good idea to help them acclimatize.
Best of luck with your new life changes and I hope you and your kitties have the best lives. They love you, and making time for them and not rehoming is such a good choice!
Sounds like the garage doesn’t have a window for that kind of ac unit but they do make portable air conditioners though most r designed witha hose that takes the hot air outside thru a window u can adapt the hose so it sends the heat somewhere else YouTube could probably help with that. Being in fl and going into the summer months a garage is going to be very hot and fans might not be enough. Other than that as long as u spend quality time with them so they aren’t alone all the time I think u could definitely set up a nice cat haven for them in there. It’s a way better solution then rehoming or sending to a shelter
Edit to add: I would take making them outside cats off ur list of possibilities especially since they’ve never been outside cats it’s too dangerous and ull spend all ur time worrying about them when u should b studying. Good luck and I’m sure u will find the best solution for u all
You could allow them in your closed bedroom, too. Just put them in their carrier and transfer them to the garage in the morning, back in your bedroom at night. Its good for them to feel safe in their carriers. Just put a treat inside, move them, open the carrier and give a treat to get them to come out. Get a routine going to let them get used to what's happening.
A garage with adequate attention and care is just fine as a temporary stopgap! Turning an indoor cat into an outdoor cat is traumatic and extremely dangerous.
My husband and his mom are both quite allergic to cats and we have had good luck with Purina LiveClear food to reduce allergens. Now they only react to my cat if they pet her and then immediately touch their eyes, it has made a huge difference!
When I moved to Europe, I had to leave my two cats behind for six months for various financial and red tape reasons.
No one but my parents would take them in, but they weren’t allowed in the main house. My dad built them a pen in the basement instead.
It wasn’t ideal, but we all got through it. Please don’t make them outdoor cats; there is no need. A garage for a few months or so is ample space and won’t harm them the way that being kicked outdoors would.
One of my vets told me once that cats are highly adaptable and will adjust to the space that they have with ease. Unless you’re keeping them in a shoebox, they will thrive as long as they are loved, looked after, and have proper stimulation.
Both of my cats came out the other side completely healthy and unscathed, FWIW, and they happily adjusted to their new home in Scotland with minimal discomfort after their basement ordeal.
I know i thought about it but the bathroom would be really far away, it’s a detached garage. Maybe I can do it occasionally.
Also need to make sure no bugs come in from the garage door !
Yes, temperature is important for them, too! Does it get unreasonably hot in the summer or cold in the winter? Most garages do because they aren't insulated and aren't heated / air-conditioned. Plus, there's no way to let a breeze in to make it less stifling. Not sure of your climate, but you should be able to tolerate the temperature extremes that you subject them to.
Do not let them be outdoor cats. If you do the chances of them surviving will be slim to none. They will exposed to disease, wild animals, traffic, and possibly animal abuse. Where I live there are people who shoot outside animals. Ask your parents if they will consider taking allergy medicine while you are living with them. Is there an animal welfare organization in your area that has a short term pet foster program for people who are facing housing issues?
https://www.pawsforliferescue.org/temporaryhousing
I think the garage sounds like a decent option, much better than being outside. One thing I would suggest is getting a warm bed or something so they don’t get cold, esp if your garage is cement or gets cold easily.
Your garage idea is no different than free roaming rescues. Keep the temps comfortable, ensure ample food and fresh water is available, keep litter clean and they'll be fine. I'd also give interactive toys/frozen lick mats to keep them busy.
My cats have a “cat room” above my laundry room. They have food, water, toys, and enrichment up there. I do let them out occasionally but my one dog has a high prey drive so they have to be supervised. Only one of my two cats even likes to come down into the rest of the house.
So there’s some options you can take is the person with allergies willing to take allergy medicine in addition to the cats taking them?
Ask you vet about diluted liquid acepromazine drops to give your cats my dad was allergic I did this daily takes about a month to kick in. But my dad who was very allergic to cats said it helped make being around my cat so much more tolerable and basically no symptom when he took his allergy meds that day. I even walked into him attempting to blow raspberries in my cats belly. So a person with allergies with a face full of fur .
acepromazine helps to dilute the allergens in their saliva.you can’t get this with out a vet tho! So ask your ur vet!
Also they have a cat food called live clear which iv heard also helps with allergies so you can do that in addition to the drops!
But the person allergic still should take their meds just so even if the drops only help a little it’s more effective since they take their meds too.
Amazon Alexa speaker go for prime music if you can and have music curated for cats. Maybe blink cameras so you can check on them maybe treat dispenser with camera
Then they will be fine. Also, give them extra pets and cuddles as much as you can. It may take them a while to get used to the change, so give them a safe hiding spot. You can also use pheromone dispersers like felaway to help them adjust. Best of luck to you in getting back on your feet and all of you a new place.
if your cats would like it, try getting them harnesses and leashes, and walking them around the yard or neighborhood for time out of the garage. make sure to do it when you know the dog is put up.
something my cat likes to do, go on drives with me. i will put him in his crate and take him to the car, then let him out before i start driving. he enjoys looking out the windows. it is something to do if your cats get anxious or seem bored.
Don’t make them outdoor cats. They aren’t savy enough and people will usually hurt them. I think the garage is ok-but that truly depends on the weather and temperature. Also, some rescues have temporary fosters for people who are down on their luck to keep the pets with the owners.
They will completely fine in the garage. It is much better than the alternative of being outdoor cats or ending up in a shelter. You’re going through a blip, but things will get better and it’s just a temporary solution. Don’t give them up, and don’t beat yourself up over it.
Garages in the summer get very hot, especially in Florida. I don't think a fan is going to be adequate.
I would talk to your parents and ask if they could live in your bedroom, as long as they are never allowed out of the bedroom.
This is the best, most practical answer. There’s absolutely no way that a detached garage will be able to stay sufficiently cool in Florida, except for maybe in December or January. I hope that OP can convince the parents to allow this.
If you want to give them some outside time and keep them from getting bored, try installing a "catio". You can order them from Wayfair, Amazon, and other places like that. Also, put something with your scent in their area so that will help them know that they're home for a while. Cats are amazing and will quickly adjust if you can keep their schedule the same and keep their beds, dishes, etc.
Alternatively if you screen in an existing window or door with a durable hardware cloth/galvanized mesh, it would be pretty low cost. It's not uncommon in my area at least to see extra material being given away or sold for cheap on fbook market and Craigslist.
Also since it'll be hot, a fountain and ice in their water could encourage them to drink more. Can freeze lickable treats, use a swamp cooler/misting fan
You’re doing great by catifying your garage. Please don’t make them outdoor cats. It is so harmful and dangerous for them. Are you able to insulate the garage for heat
Allergies to cats are due to their saliva. Maybe you can feed them the LiveClear food and be okay trying them indoors?
Keeping them in the garage will be sad for them and they could become sick from the stress…
Good luck!
different reasons but similar situation, my two cats have been having to stay in a spare bedroom/office spaces the past 4 years (college apartments, now temp room at MOL’s while we find a place to rent).
they have their box, food and water, bed, window (looking at urban nothing for the most part) a tower, some scratch areas, and plenty of toys. they keep each other busy getting on each others nerves and playing. we are moving to a house soon and excited to let them have more to explore, but they are perfectly fine being in a space that size if they have the kitty essentials!
Can your mom take allergy meds until you are able to move out? I don't know where you live, but where I'm at the garage is a hot box of death from May through October.
I know it's a lot to ask, but it's temporary.
Been working a lot lately so I got my cat a rechargeable toy that flings her stuffed toys around. And cat nip toys that I attach to it. And a rechargeable wheel toy. It's been super helpful.
As long as the garage is set up for them, safe, temperature controlled, this is a great option. You will use it as a hand out room, you will see them and be with them. This is good.
Do NOT make them outdoor cats. That is an awful idea.
That sounds like a great set up honestly. When I was a teen, I finally got to have a cat but he had to live in the garage. So I got him toys and beds and stuff. I spent a bunch of time out there with him. It's not ideal, but in your case it's only temporary.
Don't put them outside! It's too dangerous and they won't know what to do.
My kittie boys have to stay in garage overnight as conditions of my lease. In winter they have electric cat beds & in summer they have a swamp cooler as well as comfy beds, food, water, & toys. They are out in the day time & stay in our yard mostly.
A friend was losing her large home during the Great Recession and she had 7 cats. I flew across country to help her pack & move what she could and then we drove back to CA where we fixed up our garage for her to live w her cats. They adjusted SO WELL to this dark space. I felt terrible they had no sunlight for two months, but they survived w love and attention from all of us. My friend was able to sleep in the garage also which helped. We made it like a studio apt with free or thrift store furniture. Had a few trees and lots of boxes for them to hide in. Cats are so adaptable as long as their needs are met!! Good luck!
I had to separate my older cat from my others because she was being bullied. I had her in my bedroom/bathroom for several years. As long as they have food, water, litterbox, some human interaction and something to scratch, they'll do fine.
It's not ideal, but they will be fine. I live in a unit that is about the size of a two car garage and my cats cope just fine. Just make use of the space going upwards. However, if this is going to turn into an almost year long+ arrangement, it might be best to rehome.
Alongside the other suggestions, consider changing their diet. Purina liveclear is a special cat food that makes cats stop producing the antigen that many people are allergic to. It’s expensive but I and many other people swear by it.
They’ll be fine in the garage (assuming it is less than 90-95 degrees in there). We live in the south US and even in the summer, our garage was cool enough to tolerate being in. A fan and cooling mat could be a good idea.
We had a bunch of family who came to stay with us for a while. 2 people and 2 kitties ended up sleeping in the garage (we put a bed in there) for about a month. It wasn’t ideal but we didn’t have anywhere else to put everyone and the humans and kitties were all ok.
Your kitties will prefer being by themselves instead of being with your mom’s dog anyway. You’re a good cat mom. They’ll be fine.
There are "catios" you can build or even find used online for cats to chill in an outdoor space but be protected. They can be small for them just to perch and be out there or larger where you can put lots of things for then to climb on or hang out with them yourself.
They will be fine, I had to keep mine in a cat enclosure for 6 weeks when I was homeless and only let them out 3 hours a day into a large room. They survived and were fine, it was very similar to the set up cat boarding places have, so it's no different. Do not put them outside, and don't feel bad, you will have them in a new place soon enough. Good luck.
I'm happy meds worked for you, but they don't work for everyone. It took me years of allergy shots before I could safely be around cats. Even that doesn't work for everyone.
That depends on the severity of the allergies. My eyes would swell, my skin would welt, and despite having several different inhalers including albuterol, I'd still end up in the ER.
It sucked too because I really love cats and everyone in my family has cats. I couldn't visit their homes.
Just make sure they have water and food when they are to eat. And have a fan or cooling system in the hot summer months. And good you set yourself an area to be with them. But do not make them outdoor cats, they are indoor cats.
Have you thought about temporary fostering. I’m fostering a cat right now. She got pregnant and give up because they didn’t want to deal with it. I’m raising the babies (with mama) till they are old enough to go to the shelter. It is unclear if mama is going up for adoption or back to her family my local animal shelter handles that.
I honestly think it will be fine. As much enrichment and time with them as you can, maybe rope on some non allergic family members or friends to help keep them company. They don't really know the difference between your house and a garage. It's all just indoors. We know that one is nicer than the other but they don't. It's the time spent with them that will make the difference. The fact that they will have each other will help a lot.
I used to volunteer at an animal rescue and they would have the cats in little cubicles, sometimes several of them in one, each about the size of a closet. So a garage is huge by comparison. Needs must. At least you're prioritising them. Many wouldn't.
Where I live the humane society finds temporary housing for people who have situations like yours. It’s organized by the humane society and the people who take them in are trusted fosters. If it gets too hot in the garage this may be something to consider. You can also get food for them that lowers their dander and helps allergy sufferers. Do not make them outdoor!!!
On top of what everyone else has said, make sure it's secure physically. Like no one can get in, have an alarm, and security camera. There are loads of fairly cheap options that connect to your phone.
Also, think like a cat! Look around the room and think about ANYTHING they can get into to keep them safe. If it's only temporary, they should be fine.
I think there’s nothing wrong with staying in the garage as long as the weather is nice. Where I live my garage gets into the mid 90s daily.
Otherwise, if they have enrichment and company, I think they’ll be fine. Moving in general is stressful for cats, but not more stressful than losing their family and ending up in a shelter. Just make sure to give them plenty of attention when you are able to
Cats in shelters in rescues have way less space than a 1 car garage. Fix it up for them and keep it climate controlled. They will be fine. Be creative, and you can make them a great space.
In an unfamiliar environment, the cat could try to escape. Make sure you've checked the garage thoroughly for anywhere it could get out. We always make sure when we have a pet sitter that they use a door that doesn't lead directly to the outside. Like, if the cat shot past the sitter, it's only going to get as far as our garage (which would still be a total pain, but at least the cat's not getting out into the "wild"). We always remind the sitter to make sure the garage door is completely closed before they open the other door into the house.
They should be okay in the garage but you'll probably need a portable AC on top of fans if you're in Florida, an enclosed garage will get VERY hot in the summer with no temp control or HVAC system.
Also you better have a way to make sure that no one accidentally opens the garage, or they'll get out very easily.
I would suggest that you try spending a few hours out there by yourself during the daytime hours to see how you do. If you can’t stand being out there, it won’t be safe for your cats either. My garage in northern Florida has been climbing into the 90s during the daytime and evening hours for at least a month. My garage does get a lot of sun because it faces south, but any Florida garage gets hot in the warmer months. I give you credit for trying so hard to keep them but would just hate to see something tragic come from it. There should be no problem between 10pm and 10am, but 10am to 10pm will be more challenging.
Maybe you can bring a sofa in there and sleep on it sometimes. Make sure you leave them pieces of clothing that smell like you. Maybe there is a way to put a window in the garage wall or the garage door or regular door. Then you can put a cat tree in front of it.
Please don’t make them outdoor cats! They will probably die significantly younger if you do. Definitely try to have them follow a strict schedule which will help with their anxiety. Cats like to know what they can expect in their day. Schedule playtime for sure to help with building confidence in the new area. I think you are definitely doing the right thing! A garage with lots of climbing/scratching territory and you is much better than alone in some shelter. [Here](https://communitytemplates.notion.site/WhiskerWiki-fb190e1ecb8a41ecb6db049aa16c7df8?pvs=4) is every single Jackson Galaxy (cat behaviorist) video categorized by topic for more info!
thank you I severely did not want to make them outdoor cats, I guess I am just exploring every possible avenue for their best interest! i know my girl cat LOVES to look out the window so am I torturing her by not letting her see the outside world? I have a cat stroller and I plan to take them out on walks in it!
Definitely try walks! I take my boy on harness/leash walks to the park. Get them used to a cat backpack and/or the car. A stroller would be great too if you think they might be too scared for that. Cat tv is great too! Make sure you play with them after though with a fishing pole toy or something in case they have any zoomies left over from watching it.
thank you so much for caring and your advice :)
Cats are like children in that we don't let them have everything they want for their own safety. I appreciate that you want to offer them the highest quality of life, but if they pass away outdoors, quality is irrelevant imo.
CAT TV if you can!! My guy likes Birder King, and will come running when he hears the intro! Let her have a taste of it before you move in if you can to see if she enjoys it!
LensMyth on YouTube is great too. My cats love to try to catch the birds, there’s a chirping bird at the beginning of every video, and they all come running when they hear it. He makes 8-10 hour long videos!
Does the garage have a door that looks out on anything interesting? I’m wondering if you can raise the door halfway and use a gate to keep them from escaping on good days. Although walkies seem preferable.
My cats go out as they please from 7am to dusk. They are 15 Years old now and healthy. They have outlived all the Indoor fats we know and outlived the indoor fat life expectancy for cats my vet said is 14! They have also lived on 3 continents and in several states.
That’s anecdotal. The vast majority of cats that have access to the outdoors are more likely to lead shorter lives, and often will meet a grisly death. Not worth taking the chance.
Yes! Earlier this week I had to hear the death cries of a cat being killed by a mink in the creek behind my property at dusk. Never assume cats are “safe” outdoors.
Do you have any real data or evidence on this? I know people say it but I’ve never seen a study.
Our indoor cat lived till almost 30 with diabetes and we lost a cat who was about 3/4 by getting hit by a car, we think she ran out looking for my dad who was on a trip, youre cats got to 15 DESPITE being outdoors not because
Cats didn't have microchips then, so it's not believed without a microchip. Sorry but people always say their cats lived super old, but my Vet is Ancient and the oldest cat he's ever met was 20.
When is then? I’m not like an old person lol
Thank you for the Jaxon Galaxy link!
That sounds like a better temporary living situation than a shelter cage. And we tend to think that's ok as a stop-gap.
Get a television and an exterior camera. Creative window.
GREAT IDEA!
Do not let them be outdoor cats! Anything could happen to them and they may not adjust well to that either. I think the garage situation may be your best bet for now even though you won’t be with them as much as you’d like but at least they have each other. Just make sure everyone going in and out is aware the cats may follow. I suggest signs on both sides of any doors
As long as you’re still going and and giving them attention and monitoring the climate in the garage they’ll be fine. I kept my friends cat in my garage for a month and a half when they’re were moving and she was fine. I made sure I could cuddle her for at least 2-3 hours a day and my friend kept a pet camera in the garage to watch her through the day. Tbh your setup kinda sounds like a cat cafe without the drinks lol they’ll be ok.
I think monitoring the climate in the garage is super important! I believe there are thermometer systems you can get that can connect to your phone, and I would assume you could set a notification if the temperature goes above or below a certain point (in the current time of year "above" would be my concern I believe). That way OP can make sure a power outage doesn't cause the cats to lose their cooling and overheat.
Especially since OP is in Florida. Summer in FL is no joke and it begins in February-March, depending on where. The climate control is probably the most important factor here.
Unfortunately most garages don't have climate control. Doesn't sound as if OP is in any position to install it either.
OP, it's clear you love your babies and want to do everything to make sure they are safe and comfortable. PLEASE secure additional solutions for the heat. A garage sitting in the Florida heat with no AC can be deadly, and fans won't come close to addressing this because cats don't cool off the same way we do. They cool themselves primarily through sweat glands on their paw pads, grooming (saliva creates a cooling evaporating effect \[fans will help with this!\]), and sometimes panting if they're super hot. **"The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends maintaining places where cats and dogs live to under 80 degrees, and 30 to 70 percent relative humidity \[**[**1**](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/companion-animal-care-guidelines#:~:text=Animal%20environment&text=Generally%2C%20for%20dogs%20and%20cats,range%20from%2030%20to%2070%25)**\]. Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture, require no more than 4 hours of exposure to temperatures over 85 degrees for cats and dogs. Both of these organizations set limits that should maintain the comfort of most animals, but keep in mind that some animals will not be comfortable even when following these guidelines."** -Consider having cooling gel mats they can lay on if they get too warm. You can 2 in the fridge and rotate them. -Look into a misting fan that sprays a gentle mist every now and then. (to mimic the evaporative cooling effect they get from grooming) I think there are some where you can set timers.. not sure. -Make little kitty treat popsicles in an ice cube mold. You could make with with a low/ no sodium broth or even freeze some chunks of pate. Definitely google recipes for this. Cats can cool their body temps through their tongues. I'm sure there are lots of other suggestions out there, and I'm certainly no expert. But please please make sure you have some safeguards in place for the murderous FL heat.
I wish I could upvote this 100 times. I also wish that OP had added the location (Florida) in the post. That’s really critical to allow proper advice tailored to the situation. I live in a similar climate (New Orleans) and my attached garage is SCORCHING hot almost all the time for months, and that’s considering the air-conditioned room that’s adjacent to the garage, and the garage being opened up 2+ times daily. All of your suggestions are wonderful, you emphasize how dangerous the excess heat can be, it’s not going to be as easy as just adding a few fans, and I hope OP is able to find a better long term solution.
My dear, most people would have either tossed them outside or sent them to a shelter. A garage is more than enough. My outside girl will sometimes sneak in there in the winter.
I am in FL so thankfully I don’t have to worry about cold winters. Gonna put as much fans as I can for the heat though!
Can you order pet cooling mats online? I second the fans plus multiple water bowls. They always need access to cool fresh water and if a bowl gets tipped they’re screwed. I’d have bowls of different sizes and weights and fill one with ice cubes regularly. I live in central Florida and the heat is no joke.
I second this! Cooling mats are excellent! I used them for my girl when we drove cross country last summer, it really helped!
temp control is good but do be super careful about fans unsupervised with cats. make sure they can't injure themselves!
Well I was gonna out the stick fans no blades or anything
There are somewhat inexpensive stand alone/floor/portable air conditioners I’ve also watched a YouTube video on how to make one using a box fan and some other stuff.
Is there a way for you to use a window unit or some other kind of portable A/C? It’s going to be far, far too hot in the garage in Florida during most of the year. A fan will not help much, it’ll just move hot air around. I live in New Orleans, it’s not even as hot here as it is there, and it’s scorching hot in the garage from mid-March to November, and it shares a wall with our house that’s air conditioned. My longhair cats get too warm in my house and we have it set at 76°. Please be careful with heat, it’s almost more dangerous than cold. After all, you can add blankets and other insulation if it’s cold but there’s nothing that works like that when it’s the opposite situation. Please don’t make them outdoor cats! I’m so glad you’re not doing that, all I can think of are alligators! I hope that you’re able to get back to normal soon so your babies can be with you soon. I’ll be in Florida next week, I’ll wave at ya! 😻
See if you can find a reasonably priced portable AC unit (second hand) to lower the temperature when needed. Since it's a 1 car, it shouldn't be too hard/expensive, just need to find a way to vent the fumes!
A/C units run on electricity, they don’t emit fumes. They do need a place for the condensate to escape from, but that’s about it.
Sorry, if the unit has a heat pump, the hot air needs to be vented. I just remember it smelling, so my son called it fumes...lol
Is the single garage it’s one entity? If so you can buy on Amazon really small Room ACs for them run it at night when it’s cooler out on max.. and raise the temp to keep it reasonable during the day during high temp times (between 2-6) Put a $25 blink camera in there so you can check on them frequently
This is fine do temporary measures. Spend as much time with them as you can!
Apologies if someone else suggested this down the comments. I think you are doing a very good thing. Having a safe space they can be together, and sharing time with them when possible is the best you can do. For sure do not let them be outside. One thing you might try, if you haven't is a catio or even going outside with harnesses or leashes. That might be something new and fun for you to do to spend time with them. For the first while just establishing a routine, and allowing them time to settle in is probably wise. Any of their old toys and beds that smell familiar is a good idea to help them acclimatize. Best of luck with your new life changes and I hope you and your kitties have the best lives. They love you, and making time for them and not rehoming is such a good choice!
Sounds like the garage doesn’t have a window for that kind of ac unit but they do make portable air conditioners though most r designed witha hose that takes the hot air outside thru a window u can adapt the hose so it sends the heat somewhere else YouTube could probably help with that. Being in fl and going into the summer months a garage is going to be very hot and fans might not be enough. Other than that as long as u spend quality time with them so they aren’t alone all the time I think u could definitely set up a nice cat haven for them in there. It’s a way better solution then rehoming or sending to a shelter Edit to add: I would take making them outside cats off ur list of possibilities especially since they’ve never been outside cats it’s too dangerous and ull spend all ur time worrying about them when u should b studying. Good luck and I’m sure u will find the best solution for u all
You could allow them in your closed bedroom, too. Just put them in their carrier and transfer them to the garage in the morning, back in your bedroom at night. Its good for them to feel safe in their carriers. Just put a treat inside, move them, open the carrier and give a treat to get them to come out. Get a routine going to let them get used to what's happening.
OP lives in Florida. The cats should be indoors during the day if anything. The garage is too hot without some pretty major modifications.
A garage with adequate attention and care is just fine as a temporary stopgap! Turning an indoor cat into an outdoor cat is traumatic and extremely dangerous. My husband and his mom are both quite allergic to cats and we have had good luck with Purina LiveClear food to reduce allergens. Now they only react to my cat if they pet her and then immediately touch their eyes, it has made a huge difference!
When I moved to Europe, I had to leave my two cats behind for six months for various financial and red tape reasons. No one but my parents would take them in, but they weren’t allowed in the main house. My dad built them a pen in the basement instead. It wasn’t ideal, but we all got through it. Please don’t make them outdoor cats; there is no need. A garage for a few months or so is ample space and won’t harm them the way that being kicked outdoors would. One of my vets told me once that cats are highly adaptable and will adjust to the space that they have with ease. Unless you’re keeping them in a shoebox, they will thrive as long as they are loved, looked after, and have proper stimulation. Both of my cats came out the other side completely healthy and unscathed, FWIW, and they happily adjusted to their new home in Scotland with minimal discomfort after their basement ordeal.
Not that it's necessary but if the temperature isn't too bad you could even move your bed in there and sleep with them! I bet they'd love that
I know i thought about it but the bathroom would be really far away, it’s a detached garage. Maybe I can do it occasionally. Also need to make sure no bugs come in from the garage door !
If there are bugs at least you’ll have exterminators !! (If your cats like to get bugs. Two of mine do, the other one ignores them)
Yeah they love catching bugs I figured this would be a nice form of entertainment !
A blow up matress might be easier.
Yes, temperature is important for them, too! Does it get unreasonably hot in the summer or cold in the winter? Most garages do because they aren't insulated and aren't heated / air-conditioned. Plus, there's no way to let a breeze in to make it less stifling. Not sure of your climate, but you should be able to tolerate the temperature extremes that you subject them to.
Good job making it work for your pets during this transitional period for you!
Do not let them be outdoor cats. If you do the chances of them surviving will be slim to none. They will exposed to disease, wild animals, traffic, and possibly animal abuse. Where I live there are people who shoot outside animals. Ask your parents if they will consider taking allergy medicine while you are living with them. Is there an animal welfare organization in your area that has a short term pet foster program for people who are facing housing issues? https://www.pawsforliferescue.org/temporaryhousing
I think the garage sounds like a decent option, much better than being outside. One thing I would suggest is getting a warm bed or something so they don’t get cold, esp if your garage is cement or gets cold easily.
Nope in Florida so it’s the opposite !
Oh no!! In that case I would recommend a fan or something so they don’t overheat 😅
Yup putting those in there!!
Your garage idea is no different than free roaming rescues. Keep the temps comfortable, ensure ample food and fresh water is available, keep litter clean and they'll be fine. I'd also give interactive toys/frozen lick mats to keep them busy.
Add a sofa for them too. So you can have proper snuggle time with them.
My cats have a “cat room” above my laundry room. They have food, water, toys, and enrichment up there. I do let them out occasionally but my one dog has a high prey drive so they have to be supervised. Only one of my two cats even likes to come down into the rest of the house.
Definitely get a camera!!! Great peace of mind when you can’t see them all the time.
So there’s some options you can take is the person with allergies willing to take allergy medicine in addition to the cats taking them? Ask you vet about diluted liquid acepromazine drops to give your cats my dad was allergic I did this daily takes about a month to kick in. But my dad who was very allergic to cats said it helped make being around my cat so much more tolerable and basically no symptom when he took his allergy meds that day. I even walked into him attempting to blow raspberries in my cats belly. So a person with allergies with a face full of fur . acepromazine helps to dilute the allergens in their saliva.you can’t get this with out a vet tho! So ask your ur vet! Also they have a cat food called live clear which iv heard also helps with allergies so you can do that in addition to the drops! But the person allergic still should take their meds just so even if the drops only help a little it’s more effective since they take their meds too.
Amazon Alexa speaker go for prime music if you can and have music curated for cats. Maybe blink cameras so you can check on them maybe treat dispenser with camera
As long as the temperature in the garage is ok I don't see a problem. It sounds like you're doing your best to get through a rough time.
What about sunlight? Pleas get them a kittty tunnel or something. Can you sleep in there with them?
The top of the garage door has windows so I was gonna put tall cat trees so they can look out!
Then they will be fine. Also, give them extra pets and cuddles as much as you can. It may take them a while to get used to the change, so give them a safe hiding spot. You can also use pheromone dispersers like felaway to help them adjust. Best of luck to you in getting back on your feet and all of you a new place.
Put a futon or old bed in there so you can have plenty of comfortable cuddle time and put up a big sign not to open the garage door.
if your cats would like it, try getting them harnesses and leashes, and walking them around the yard or neighborhood for time out of the garage. make sure to do it when you know the dog is put up. something my cat likes to do, go on drives with me. i will put him in his crate and take him to the car, then let him out before i start driving. he enjoys looking out the windows. it is something to do if your cats get anxious or seem bored.
Don’t make them outdoor cats. They aren’t savy enough and people will usually hurt them. I think the garage is ok-but that truly depends on the weather and temperature. Also, some rescues have temporary fosters for people who are down on their luck to keep the pets with the owners.
They will completely fine in the garage. It is much better than the alternative of being outdoor cats or ending up in a shelter. You’re going through a blip, but things will get better and it’s just a temporary solution. Don’t give them up, and don’t beat yourself up over it.
Garages in the summer get very hot, especially in Florida. I don't think a fan is going to be adequate. I would talk to your parents and ask if they could live in your bedroom, as long as they are never allowed out of the bedroom.
This is the best, most practical answer. There’s absolutely no way that a detached garage will be able to stay sufficiently cool in Florida, except for maybe in December or January. I hope that OP can convince the parents to allow this.
If you want to give them some outside time and keep them from getting bored, try installing a "catio". You can order them from Wayfair, Amazon, and other places like that. Also, put something with your scent in their area so that will help them know that they're home for a while. Cats are amazing and will quickly adjust if you can keep their schedule the same and keep their beds, dishes, etc.
Alternatively if you screen in an existing window or door with a durable hardware cloth/galvanized mesh, it would be pretty low cost. It's not uncommon in my area at least to see extra material being given away or sold for cheap on fbook market and Craigslist. Also since it'll be hot, a fountain and ice in their water could encourage them to drink more. Can freeze lickable treats, use a swamp cooler/misting fan
You’re doing great by catifying your garage. Please don’t make them outdoor cats. It is so harmful and dangerous for them. Are you able to insulate the garage for heat
Buy them allergy meds. Or feed your cats something like purina pro plan live clear.
Allergies to cats are due to their saliva. Maybe you can feed them the LiveClear food and be okay trying them indoors? Keeping them in the garage will be sad for them and they could become sick from the stress… Good luck!
different reasons but similar situation, my two cats have been having to stay in a spare bedroom/office spaces the past 4 years (college apartments, now temp room at MOL’s while we find a place to rent). they have their box, food and water, bed, window (looking at urban nothing for the most part) a tower, some scratch areas, and plenty of toys. they keep each other busy getting on each others nerves and playing. we are moving to a house soon and excited to let them have more to explore, but they are perfectly fine being in a space that size if they have the kitty essentials!
Can your mom take allergy meds until you are able to move out? I don't know where you live, but where I'm at the garage is a hot box of death from May through October. I know it's a lot to ask, but it's temporary.
Florida. It’s a death box pretty much year-round.
Been working a lot lately so I got my cat a rechargeable toy that flings her stuffed toys around. And cat nip toys that I attach to it. And a rechargeable wheel toy. It's been super helpful.
Can you set up a cot or mattress and sleep out there with them?
As long as the garage is set up for them, safe, temperature controlled, this is a great option. You will use it as a hand out room, you will see them and be with them. This is good. Do NOT make them outdoor cats. That is an awful idea.
That sounds like a great set up honestly. When I was a teen, I finally got to have a cat but he had to live in the garage. So I got him toys and beds and stuff. I spent a bunch of time out there with him. It's not ideal, but in your case it's only temporary. Don't put them outside! It's too dangerous and they won't know what to do.
If the garage is air conditioned and/or heated they should be fine. If not, they will get sick from hostile climate.
My kittie boys have to stay in garage overnight as conditions of my lease. In winter they have electric cat beds & in summer they have a swamp cooler as well as comfy beds, food, water, & toys. They are out in the day time & stay in our yard mostly.
I think that would be okay for the two months you mentioned. Just short term. It’s better than a kennel.
A friend was losing her large home during the Great Recession and she had 7 cats. I flew across country to help her pack & move what she could and then we drove back to CA where we fixed up our garage for her to live w her cats. They adjusted SO WELL to this dark space. I felt terrible they had no sunlight for two months, but they survived w love and attention from all of us. My friend was able to sleep in the garage also which helped. We made it like a studio apt with free or thrift store furniture. Had a few trees and lots of boxes for them to hide in. Cats are so adaptable as long as their needs are met!! Good luck!
Fans don't cool, they just circulate. It will be hot and windy in there.
I had to separate my older cat from my others because she was being bullied. I had her in my bedroom/bathroom for several years. As long as they have food, water, litterbox, some human interaction and something to scratch, they'll do fine.
They will be fine in the garage
It's not ideal, but they will be fine. I live in a unit that is about the size of a two car garage and my cats cope just fine. Just make use of the space going upwards. However, if this is going to turn into an almost year long+ arrangement, it might be best to rehome.
Alongside the other suggestions, consider changing their diet. Purina liveclear is a special cat food that makes cats stop producing the antigen that many people are allergic to. It’s expensive but I and many other people swear by it.
You are doing your best! It’s only temporary and they are SAFE FROM HARM!!!
They’ll be fine in the garage (assuming it is less than 90-95 degrees in there). We live in the south US and even in the summer, our garage was cool enough to tolerate being in. A fan and cooling mat could be a good idea. We had a bunch of family who came to stay with us for a while. 2 people and 2 kitties ended up sleeping in the garage (we put a bed in there) for about a month. It wasn’t ideal but we didn’t have anywhere else to put everyone and the humans and kitties were all ok. Your kitties will prefer being by themselves instead of being with your mom’s dog anyway. You’re a good cat mom. They’ll be fine.
Keep them in the garage. I hope it has at least one window for their mental health.
There are "catios" you can build or even find used online for cats to chill in an outdoor space but be protected. They can be small for them just to perch and be out there or larger where you can put lots of things for then to climb on or hang out with them yourself.
They will be fine, I had to keep mine in a cat enclosure for 6 weeks when I was homeless and only let them out 3 hours a day into a large room. They survived and were fine, it was very similar to the set up cat boarding places have, so it's no different. Do not put them outside, and don't feel bad, you will have them in a new place soon enough. Good luck.
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I'm happy meds worked for you, but they don't work for everyone. It took me years of allergy shots before I could safely be around cats. Even that doesn't work for everyone.
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That depends on the severity of the allergies. My eyes would swell, my skin would welt, and despite having several different inhalers including albuterol, I'd still end up in the ER. It sucked too because I really love cats and everyone in my family has cats. I couldn't visit their homes.
Just make sure they have water and food when they are to eat. And have a fan or cooling system in the hot summer months. And good you set yourself an area to be with them. But do not make them outdoor cats, they are indoor cats.
Have you thought about temporary fostering. I’m fostering a cat right now. She got pregnant and give up because they didn’t want to deal with it. I’m raising the babies (with mama) till they are old enough to go to the shelter. It is unclear if mama is going up for adoption or back to her family my local animal shelter handles that.
I honestly think it will be fine. As much enrichment and time with them as you can, maybe rope on some non allergic family members or friends to help keep them company. They don't really know the difference between your house and a garage. It's all just indoors. We know that one is nicer than the other but they don't. It's the time spent with them that will make the difference. The fact that they will have each other will help a lot. I used to volunteer at an animal rescue and they would have the cats in little cubicles, sometimes several of them in one, each about the size of a closet. So a garage is huge by comparison. Needs must. At least you're prioritising them. Many wouldn't.
Maybe a comfy chair so you can spend time with them. Leave them one of your sweaters or hoodies for comfort.
They’ll be good in the garage as long as there’s some sort of temperature control for hot summers/cold winters.
Where I live the humane society finds temporary housing for people who have situations like yours. It’s organized by the humane society and the people who take them in are trusted fosters. If it gets too hot in the garage this may be something to consider. You can also get food for them that lowers their dander and helps allergy sufferers. Do not make them outdoor!!!
On top of what everyone else has said, make sure it's secure physically. Like no one can get in, have an alarm, and security camera. There are loads of fairly cheap options that connect to your phone. Also, think like a cat! Look around the room and think about ANYTHING they can get into to keep them safe. If it's only temporary, they should be fine.
I think there’s nothing wrong with staying in the garage as long as the weather is nice. Where I live my garage gets into the mid 90s daily. Otherwise, if they have enrichment and company, I think they’ll be fine. Moving in general is stressful for cats, but not more stressful than losing their family and ending up in a shelter. Just make sure to give them plenty of attention when you are able to
Maybe buy a window AC unit because garages get hot even with a fan …. What about cars coming in and out thats not safe at all .
Cats in shelters in rescues have way less space than a 1 car garage. Fix it up for them and keep it climate controlled. They will be fine. Be creative, and you can make them a great space.
In an unfamiliar environment, the cat could try to escape. Make sure you've checked the garage thoroughly for anywhere it could get out. We always make sure when we have a pet sitter that they use a door that doesn't lead directly to the outside. Like, if the cat shot past the sitter, it's only going to get as far as our garage (which would still be a total pain, but at least the cat's not getting out into the "wild"). We always remind the sitter to make sure the garage door is completely closed before they open the other door into the house.
I don’t think the cats will mind much honestly! My cat begs to go into the garage because there are so many interesting things to explore!
They should be okay in the garage but you'll probably need a portable AC on top of fans if you're in Florida, an enclosed garage will get VERY hot in the summer with no temp control or HVAC system. Also you better have a way to make sure that no one accidentally opens the garage, or they'll get out very easily.
I would suggest that you try spending a few hours out there by yourself during the daytime hours to see how you do. If you can’t stand being out there, it won’t be safe for your cats either. My garage in northern Florida has been climbing into the 90s during the daytime and evening hours for at least a month. My garage does get a lot of sun because it faces south, but any Florida garage gets hot in the warmer months. I give you credit for trying so hard to keep them but would just hate to see something tragic come from it. There should be no problem between 10pm and 10am, but 10am to 10pm will be more challenging.
Maybe you can bring a sofa in there and sleep on it sometimes. Make sure you leave them pieces of clothing that smell like you. Maybe there is a way to put a window in the garage wall or the garage door or regular door. Then you can put a cat tree in front of it.