RVcrazy
Puyallup, WA, USA
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I would find a way to confine them to a portion of your real home instead. It will be much easier to keep an eye on things. They will "civilize" better and be more adoptable if you let them mingle with humans and animals over the next couple of months.
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MSGTRETIREDCSP
Burlington, Colorado
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Joined: 03/23/2006
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When our lab had puppies years ago, I took a cardboard box and installed a (suspended) drop light in it. The puppies stayed plenty warn and did just fine in the middle of winter. We have several cats out in the country and it gets plenty cold here at times. If they get cold, they'll find a warm place to stay. I would consider a small portable plastic kennel with a suspended drop light in it, or some other type of light bulb and believe me, they'll stay warm. Place it under the dining table. A light bulb will not use very much electricity. Good luck.
2008 Ford, F-350, CC, 6.4 PSD
2003, 2955 Montana 5th Wheel
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motorcycle jack
FT all over
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Find a no kill shelter if you can't house them. Your give away is - they're a little shy and no t the friendliest. You're not doing them a favor by allowing another 2-4 months on their own.
John
"Motorcycle Jack"
Blog: My RV
5th Wheel Blog
I can't be lost because I ain't parked yet. Besides I have all year to get there and if I ain't there then I ain't lost.
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Supreme Oppressor
Grande Prairie, Alberta
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I made a trip last year in the cold (-35c) with 2 cats. I tried leaving the heat on briefly to warm up the 5th while we stopped for a bite. After a short break, the vent under the slide caused a nasty burning plastic smell. The bottom of my slide is covered with a woven plastic material; also the flooring around the vent area was extremely hot.
You can leave the slide outs out in the winter. It is not uncommon for people to use their trailers year round up here, especially for work. Also, many units at the dealerships are left open all winter. Just clean the tops of the slides off before closing them.
2006 F350 6.0 diesel cc lb srw
2004 Jayco Jayflight 30.5BHS
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laknox
Arizona
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Were it me, I'd get ONE of the oil-filled radiator type heaters, put it in the bedroom area, or in the "hallway" leading there, and leave it on low. If you can keep that area in the 55-60 degree range, they'll be fine. Put the litter box in the shower and clean it daily. We have 3 indoor cats and most people couldn't tell, even when we had the litter boxes inside. (Now, they're on our outside screen porch.) I do agree that you should try and find a no-kill shelter for them or socialize them with your other animals.
Lyle
2002 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax Crew Cab 4x4
Banks Bullet Tuner and Monster Exhaust
B&W Turnover Ball with 5th Wheel Companion
2004 Komfort 25FSG Fifth Wheel
1936 John Deere Model A
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I am still wayne_tw
everywhere
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lyn/glenn wrote:I've had them in there for one month and they did fine with 2 electric heaters, except my heating bill went from $250.00 to $568.00 for the month.That's difficult for us.
I think the propane will cost about the same.
Why don't you find a no kill shelter?
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Francesca Knowles
Port Hadlock, Washington
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lyn/glenn wrote:Your replies have really been helpful. I have a chronic medical condition, am 75 years of age and don't RV anymore (sigh, was a full timer for 4 years) live in a small manufactured home and the RV is our guest cottage. It doesn't smell from the cats, but then again I vacuum and clean often. I'm going to try and keep a heater in the bathroom on the upper level, take down the door of the bathroom as it blocks the bedroom and just heat that area. I can't believe I'm doing all this for two little strays. The oil filled radiator scares me. I have an electric heater that turns off should the cats knock it over. What do you think?
You should use whichever heater you're most comfortable with, of course!
And you're right to be concerned about the cats knocking a heater over- I hope you'll secure whatever you use somehow so as to prevent that!
ALSO:
Do make sure that there's nothing ABOVE the heater that the cats can knock down onto it. This can easily cause a fire.
Ask me, I know!
Had a garage burn down a few years ago when my tenant's cat knocked a can of paint on/into a propane heater...
My fault for putting the paint there!
Here are my reasons for liking the oil-filled heaters:
1) No exposed heating element.
2)Lower surface temperature when operating.
3)Multiple fins give maximum radiant heat.
4)No fan.
For me the fan is mostly a noise issue, probably irrelevant in this case, BUT
It's also another consumer of power and perhaps more importantly for you, something else that can break down when you're not there.
The lowest, slowest heat is probably best for your needs/safety/economy...
To tell the truth, the suggestion above of the heated dog mat in a kennel or box or something really might work better than anything.
The cats don't really need a warm space even as big as the bathroom!
They just want a warm place to curl up in after a hard day of doing-whatever-it-is-that-cats-do.
Those mats are designed to be left unattended and put out enough slow heat to make a small space warm and cozy.
And I'll bet they're real easy on the electricity.
Here's an "outdoor"one (more rugged?) that's only 40 watts! Heated Pet Bed
Better yet, it's only $53.00 with free shipping. But I'd bet you could find them locally, too.
And if you want something more "heavy duty", I think they make heated stall mats for horses!
...Just let a cat TRY to destroy one of those!....
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien
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sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Moved from 5th wheels to RV Pet Stop.
Frank
2011 Palomino Maverick 1000SLLB on a 2004 Dodge Quadcab CTD Ram3500 SRW long bed equipped with Timbren springs, Stable Load bump stops, Rickson 19.5" wheels/"G" range tires and a Helwig "Big Wig" rear anti sway bar.
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Code2High
One hour past Nowhere, CA
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If these cats are not unhealthy, and are being well-fed, they'd probably do very well with just a few snug enclosed/insulated beds. It isn't too difficult to make something like that, if you're interested. Particularly indoors, packing peanuts or styrofoam and cardboard boxes would do the job.
susan
You know, there's really quite a lot to be said for having your life turned upside down!
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dturm
Munster, IN
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I like the idea of the heated bed in an inclosure like Susan mentioned. The kittens can snuggle in that area when they feel the need and you won't go broke heating the whole 5er.
BTW, don't use a conventional heating pad, if the animals can't get away or move they can get pretty severe burns from even the low setting.
Doug
Doug & Sandy
Jill (9yr old Golden)& Charmin (15 yr old something)
Henry (non-camping cat)
2008 Southwind
2001 Honda CRV
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