Question:
I'm wondering whether it'd be ok to install a cat door in the door that
leads from the house to the garage? We keep our cats indoors, and a
trip to the garage is their one "adventure." But getting up in the
middle of the night so they can go out and play gets old quick.
I know there are certain specs about a door that leads to the garage,
such as it must close automatically, things that would help prevent
exhaust fumes from entering the home. I wonder if installing a cat
door would compromise a garage door. Anybody here have a cat
door installed in their house/garage door?
Answer:
I don't know about your attached garage, but mine (probably because of
leakage or insufficient insulation) doesn't get anywhere near outside
temperatures, so heat and cold is never an issue (besides which, "cold" here
in Houston, TX is relative .
I do second Sherry's caution about toxic substances (personally I don't
allow them in the garage for *our* safety as well as the cat's, things like
gasoline and other caustic/toxic agents are kept in a separate storage area
outside.
Any oil spills would be from circa 1974 or there-abouts when the last person
actually stored a *car* in the garage ;>, so I don't think that's an issue
either (and cats outside would all be dead if oil spills on concrete were
that hazardous).
I still scoop all four litter boxes twice a day, them being in the garage
doesn't affect that, but is does keep the smell of a particularly stinky
deposit from permeating the entire house, it keeps scattered litter off of
carpets or tile, and it makes the once-every-two-weeks scrubbing with Lysol
much easier.
