There are so many reasons why one would ask if a kitten can live in a garage. Maybe you have a mom cat who just had kittens, or maybe a stray kitten had taken a liking to your garage, maybe someone else in your household has brought a kitten home and your other animals disapprove or someone is allergic.
So this begs the question, Can kittens live in a garage? The answer is yes and no. If the proper set up is put in place they can absolutely live in a garage, but if the garage has dangerous chemicals or objects, its best not to have your kitten live in a garage. It also depends on where you live.
What is a Garage:
A garage can be defined as different things according to different people. Here we are going to define a garage as a place that typically holds extra items and vehicles.
A garage can be either detached or attached to the main house but either way, are typically lacking when it comes to insulation.
Garages are usually a big open room with a large pull-up type of door.
These doors allow for easy access to getting your vehicles in but offer almost nothing when it comes to insulation.
These cause it to get very hot in your garage in the summer and very cold in your garage in the winter. Not a great place for an animal to spend its days, but a few changes can help make it a little more acceptable to have your kittens in.
Garage Dangers to Kittens:
There are lots of garage dangers to kittens since garages aren’t known to be a very nice liveable space.
There can be toxic dangers, weather and temperature dangers, and even other dangers like sharp tools.
Going a little more in-depth with garage dangers there are:
- Toxic Dangers: Toxic dangers can include cleaning supplies, oil, and other toxic materials normally found in the garage.
Before you move the kittens in you need to make sure you have cleaned up and tightly locked away any toxic material the kittens could get into before you set up a spot for the kittens.
Kittens are notorious for getting into things and if they go into anything toxic you forget to put away it could be extremely dangerous for them.
- Weather and Temperature Dangers: Above I mentioned that garages are awful at insulating. This means that at anytime the garage can reach dangerous temperatures depending on the weather.
If the weather is hot your garage is going to be far too hot to have kittens in.
If the weather is cold your garage is going to be far too cold to have kittens in.
There are ways you can insulate better such as insulation for your garage doors and windows.
You can also invest in a small heater in the winter and a fan in the summer.
Make sure that they are in a spot where they will keep your kittens’ comfortable temperature-wise but that your kittens can not injure themselves on either the heater or the fan.
- Dangers of Tools and Materials; Garages typically have tools and different materials in them. Some of these can be sharp and dangerous if a kitten were to mess around with them.
This goes along with the toxic dangers but just make sure that your garage is clean and organized.
Nothing should be left out that the kittens would be able to get into and potentially injure themselves.
Consider the Weather in Your Area:
Weather changes from place to place. If your home area has typically very extreme weathers than it might be best that you don’t have your kittens stay in the garage.
Like I mentioned before garages are not known for the best insulation and it can become deadly to your kittens.
Animals are usually good at keeping themselves warm and cool but extreme weather can be too much for them to handle.
If at any time you cannot get the temperature-controlled in your garage I would recommend bringing your kittens into the main house.
You might think about risking it instead of bringing them in but it isn’t worth it.
Kittens need more specific attention and things to keep them from getting ill than full-grown cats do.
Safety Precautions for Kittens Living in a Garage:
There are some safety precautions you can take for having your kittens living in your garage.
Some of these safety precautions include:
- A heater or a fan for your garage depending on the weather.
- Investing in organizational equipment and toolbox to keep your personal items out of the kittens’ way.
- Blocking off an area just for your kittens.
- A cat tower with a built-in cat bed to keep heat in and keep things out.
- Water and food dispensers that give your kitten clean food and water.
Depending on what your garage looks like and what you have in it you will have to put in specific safety precautions.
The best thing you can do for your kittens is to take a walk around and go through everything that could potentially be harmful to them.
It’s better to invest in a few things for your kitten than have your kitten get into something or have something happen to your kitten.
Taking the safety precautions may seem meaningless but in all reality are very important if you are going to have your kitten in the garage.
Setting up Your Garage for a Kitten to Live In:
Setting up your garage for your kitten to live in is an important thing for them. You have to make sure that it is completely safe and secure for them so they don’t run into any trouble and potentially hurt themselves.
There are a few ways that you can set up your garage safely for your kitten, but the best way, in my opinion, is to block off a specific and special area just for them.
One way you can do this is by getting a baby play yard to make a safe zone.
For cats, these safe zones are very important to their well-being. Inside the safe zone, it is important to have a safe and warm place they can sleep.
I recommend a cat tower where there is a spot for them to climb up high and inside the cat tower to have a safe place but also a warm place.
Another very important thing for their safe place in the garage is, of course, the food and water bowls.
These need to be in a spot where no dust and dirt can get into them and the cat can easily access them.
I recommend the auto feeders and waters that have the tanks so the kitten is constantly getting fresh water and food.
Remember that cats are very specific and territorial about where they feel their safe place is. If you decide to put it in the garage then it needs to be a clean space and where there are no threats to the kitten.
Threats like dogs or other animals coming in and messing with your kittens’ things.
It’s better for your kitten to not have to be so territorial because it can help your kitten be happier and friendlier when they aren’t stressed about their environment.
Final Thoughts:
The answer to the question: can kittens live in a garage, is yes and no, depending on the circumstances.
You always need to keep in mind their safety and make sure that wherever you decide to set up their home is suitable for an animal to live in.
It needs to be clean and as much temperature controlled as you can get it.
Always remove any toxic material or hazardous material away from where your kitten can reach.
Kittens are known for getting into anything that they decide to so the best place is in a storage box or a toolbox where they won’t be able to get to it because it will be locked up.
Your kitten needs a clean, dry, and warm place to sleep preferably a cat tower with a built-in bed.
Kittens aren’t full-grown cats.
They still need a lot of attention and heat to keep them warm. They also need a lot more attention to keep them safe.
Lastly, always remember to take care of your kitten. Make sure they have everything they need and that they aren’t having to fight off the different extreme temperatures and extreme conditions in the garage.
If you can’t get the temperature under control in the garage you can always bring them into the main house.
If you’re worried about them being in the house you can always set up a spot for them where they will be safe and won’t get into anything.
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