I almost killed my cat :(

[nebula]

Has anyone ever had drier issues? Let me explain.

Bandit - the escape artist & well, bandit -

It started when I needed to throw a blanket in the dryer, and DH had left the door open, I threw it in- not seeing Bandit.

Long story short, I heard a loud thud and had only put a blanket in there, so I knew something wasn't right. I opened the door and out came bandit- hot, his fur was singed, and crying- then he just ran off.

I think he is OK, other than avoiding me...

I feel like the worst meowmy in the history of the world. It could have been disastrous, and he was only in there maybe 30 seconds or a minute, but I am shaken up bad, crying & imagining worst possible scenario.

 He is my baby, and yes he is a pain in the butt sometimes- but I love him and feel horrible right now.

 

[luvmyparker]

Awww, don't be too hard on yourself. It was an accident. It happens to the best of us. Cats are so curious sometimes and get themselves in situations they really shouldn't. If its only his pride that is hurt, then you needn't feel too badly. Give him a good look over and double check that everything is ok. Then give him his favorite treat or snack and some loving and I am sure all will be forgiven pretty quickly.

Parker has singed his fur and caught himself on fire a few times if it makes you feel any better. 

 

[ruthyb]

Awww hun, yes Candy has got in the dryer before and I did start it but I realised something wasn't right immediately. No harm done hun, please don't beat yourself up about it. If you are really concerned take Bandit to the vets but I am really sure he will be ok, he just needs some time to get over the shock. I am just extra careful with the dryer now, cats are so nosey.x

 

[trouts mom]

Wow, that would be so scary! Don't feel so bad, you rescued him!

 

[nebula]

Ya im feeling better now, and he has started loving on me again.

Poor thing lol, He just gets curious and doesn't realize some things can be dangerous. From now on I need to be sure to check the dryer out thoroughly!!

No lasting effects! Thanks for the kind words everyone! I dont feel like such a bad meowmy anymore

 

[natalie_ca]

I haven't had the experience of a kitty in a running dryer, but back when Abby was a kitten I learnedI had to double and triple check everything before I closed a door of any kind.  Abby loved to get into the fridge on the bottom shelf.  The first time I saw her do that I realized I better make sure that I check before closing the door just in case she snuck in when I wasn't looking.

Sure enough one day I had just finished putting groceries away and looked to make sure there was no kitty, turned away for about 10 seconds while closing the door.  Five minutes later I realized I didn't see Abby which was unusual because she had to have me in her line of sight at all times, no matter where I was.  I opened the fridge door because the kitchen was the last place I saw her, and sure enough she was just laying on the bottom shelf. I had to pull her out. Now when I close a door of any kind, I have my eyes on the door as it's closing just in case a kitty sneaks in at the last minute.

Bandit is safe. Probably a bit scared, but give him some brushes and some treats and lovings and all will be forgiven.

 

[nebula]

He was probably terrified, imagine if you were 8 pounds and tumbled in a dark place like that..... And ya, he is fine now

 

[calico2222]

Oh hon, don't feel bad, I have almost done that myself. The ONLY reason I realized it was I was drying whites and RB Jasper was a black and white cat and right before I closed the door I saw dark color inside and reached in to pull it out...and laid my hand on a kitty. Actually, my MIL DID do that by mistake. Just like you, she heard the thumping and her first thought was "I don't have shoes in the dryer". She opened and out ran a very fluffy and pissed cat. Still alive and still a love bug...you will be forgiven.

Linda, I've also got a fridge raider. Harley (my avatar) was famous for sneaking into the fridge when he was small (he could fit on the bottom shelf now 

 ). The first time he wasn't in there for a few minutes, it was 2-3 hours! I came home from the market, fed Harley and Monster, then started putting things away. When we didn't see him we figured he curled up with a full belly and went to sleep. We made dinner, ate, talked while watching TV then finally heard a pathetic cry from...somewhere. We tore the living room and kitchen apart including some of the walls (he had got in the dry wall before so that was a big fear). Finally, I realized the sound was coming from the fridge and opened the door. Out runs our very cold, very pissed Harley. He forgave us after we gave him lovins, warmed him up and gave him extra treats.

It happens to everyone. Those little buggers are so sneaky at times!

 

[MoochNNoodles]

Poor baby!  I know you are far from the first that has had that happen!  I worry about it because the only place we have for the litter box is in our laundry closet.  It's just big enough to put the box in front of the dryer.  I also worry about it because of our DD and eventually DS.  A few months ago on a parenting board another Mom there had an incident with her son and his little friend with the washing machine (front loader).  The kid managed to even lock the thing!  It ended "well" but still!  Since then I've gotten extra cautious because even when you are careful things can happen.  I've started doing head counts.  And DH wants to buy one of those cabinets to put the litter box in so we can put locks on the laundry doors. 

I am so glad Bandit is ok!  I hope you are feeling better about it too!

 

[gardenandcats]

It happens. I always double check before I start the dryer...Sounds like he is ok

 

[milk maid]

I always look first, dryer, washer etc 

 

[mary'scalico]

It's a common mistake and it's not like it was intentional.  At least he came out okay.

 

[lorie d.]

Thank goodness Bandit is ok!

 

[ericsmom1000]

I bet Bandit won't be going near any dryers for awhile!  I'm glad he's okay.

One of my cats, Sarah, tried to get into the microwave one time.  I had left a chair too close to the kitchen counter (I'm short, so I need that chair to reach anything above the first shelf) and then went into the other room to answer the phone.

Sarah jumped on the chair, walked on the counter and then tried to crawl into the microwave.  Thank goodness there wasn't any hot food or water inside!  Anyhow, when I came in the kitchen, she was busy investigating.  I quickly picked her up, told her "no" and put her down on the floor.  She hasn't tried that since.

My other cat, Eric, is terrified of microwaves.  He freaks out if I'm carrying him and get too close to the microwave.  I found out from a former neighbor that the previous owner's son's friend thought it would be fun to put Eric in the microwave.  He put him in there, and set it to cook for two minutes.  When the son's mother heard Eric screaming, she ran into the kitchen, and got him out.  She was livid.  She called her son's friend's mother, and chewed her out after screaming at the kid.  He was never allowed back in their home.  Eric was taken to the vet.  The kid's mother paid the bill.  He had a burn on his right side and one leg, but fortunately, he healed.

But he has never forgotten that incident.

As we all know, cats are curious creatures.  We have to be so careful before we close doors of any kind.  Sarah loves closets, and when I can't find her, I start looking.  I've often found her contentedly asleep next to the vacuum cleaner.  Eric, on the other hand, will start banging on the door after a few minutes, wanting to be let out..

 

[blueorchid]

Cats are so curious. Gracie loves closets and I always have to triple check to make sure I don't lock her up in one by accident. I once forgot to look out while closing the pantry door and smashed it right into Gracie's tail. Her body was in and her tail was sticking out. She hissed at me and ran off. I checked her over a million times to make sure she was alright. She forgot about it about 5 mins later, but I still check every day before closing a door.

 

[alleygirl]

When I was a child we had a cat who was killed like that. My mom didn't know he was in there and this was an old noisy dryer so nobody heard anything. I was about 7 years old and it was my brother and I who found him

I have always been super paranoid and check and double check any appliances before I run them.

 

[nebula]

When I was a child we had a cat who was killed like that. My mom didn't know he was in there and this was an old noisy dryer so nobody heard anything. I was about 7 years old and it was my brother and I who found him

I have always been super paranoid and check and double check any appliances before I run them.

My DH , when he was younger- his brother accidentally killed a cat that way.

 

[stephanietx]

Several years ago, my aunt started the washing machine with her cat in it.  She now leaves the lid down and checks for kitties before loading.  Kitty survived and is perfectly fine.  Doesn't like the washing machine, tho.

 

[antifrosting]

I almost killed my cat too
I was putting away laundry and my cat playful snuck in the laundry basket and flipped it over. I left the room but then I heard this loud noise so I went to check and I found my cat at the bottom of the stairs walking with the laundry basket on his head. I guess he started walking under the laundry basket and fell down the stairs...idk if he's ok I guess he hates me now