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- Jan 2, 2014
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I posted a few days ago that we made a "tent" over the girls' spot in the garage.
A few things, the garage is separate from the house, in a fenced in back yard. The girls have one corner with a big blanket, 3 beds, and a cat tree. Dry food, water and a litter box (unsurprisingly unused). The rest of the garage is a home gym a good friend uses most days for up to 3 hours. There's a sturdy carpet down, but it's cement floors under that and cement walls. The roof is insulated.
The girls know our friend, and calmly leave when he stops by to workout. They stay in a regular shelter when it's cold, or they just play outside. Everyone seems happy with the arrangement.
The "tent" is a warm blanket draped over some stuff around their corner, and there's a space heater that oscillates, and shuts off if it tips. It blows under the tent, and keeps it between 50-60, even in the coldest, windiest nights so far.
I know it may not be ideal, but the girls love it. Our friend is gonna help us put a pet door in for them soon too. The door is propped open for them all the time, so it's a priority. We have a cloth draped over the door to control the draft.
My question is, since we made the warm tent, they've been eating half as much. They used to eat a whole can or more each, but now they barely eat half a can each. Almost a week now. They spent most of their time in there, and they sleep a lot on bad nights (same as last year though). They've been a lot more affectionate too. (Luna may let us pet her soon. She's trying to work up the courage, it's adorable!) They always have dry food available, and they eat a bit of that. I've also given them lactose free milk to make sure they stay hydrated. (there's an extra water dish in front of the heater, cause it dries the air.)
Is this normal, since they are a lot warmer most of the day? It's been below freezing all week outside. They are acting completely normal other than that and being more friendly, so I'd like to think it's OK. They drink normally, maybe a little bit more. I just wanted other opinions, in case I should be worried.
A few things, the garage is separate from the house, in a fenced in back yard. The girls have one corner with a big blanket, 3 beds, and a cat tree. Dry food, water and a litter box (unsurprisingly unused). The rest of the garage is a home gym a good friend uses most days for up to 3 hours. There's a sturdy carpet down, but it's cement floors under that and cement walls. The roof is insulated.
The girls know our friend, and calmly leave when he stops by to workout. They stay in a regular shelter when it's cold, or they just play outside. Everyone seems happy with the arrangement.
The "tent" is a warm blanket draped over some stuff around their corner, and there's a space heater that oscillates, and shuts off if it tips. It blows under the tent, and keeps it between 50-60, even in the coldest, windiest nights so far.
I know it may not be ideal, but the girls love it. Our friend is gonna help us put a pet door in for them soon too. The door is propped open for them all the time, so it's a priority. We have a cloth draped over the door to control the draft.
My question is, since we made the warm tent, they've been eating half as much. They used to eat a whole can or more each, but now they barely eat half a can each. Almost a week now. They spent most of their time in there, and they sleep a lot on bad nights (same as last year though). They've been a lot more affectionate too. (Luna may let us pet her soon. She's trying to work up the courage, it's adorable!) They always have dry food available, and they eat a bit of that. I've also given them lactose free milk to make sure they stay hydrated. (there's an extra water dish in front of the heater, cause it dries the air.)
Is this normal, since they are a lot warmer most of the day? It's been below freezing all week outside. They are acting completely normal other than that and being more friendly, so I'd like to think it's OK. They drink normally, maybe a little bit more. I just wanted other opinions, in case I should be worried.
