Don’t laugh — clothes dryer injuries can be life threatening to a cat, who may crawl inside for the warmth.
The best way to prevent a clothes dryer injury is to check inside before you start the machine! Bang on the top to startle anyone inside.
You may not hear yowling or crying if your cat is trapped inside a running dryer — she may be too disoriented to make noise. You will hear a loud thumping noise, like the sound a pair of sneakers would make, as the cat’s body is battered in the tumbler.
If your cat has had an encounter with the dryer, call your vet immediately. Your cat may have severe bruises, head trauma, and even burns from the heat of the dryer.
How to tell if your cat has a head injury:
- She may lose consciousness or have seizures
- She may seem like she is drunk, and be unable to walk in a straight line
- She may cry a lot
- The pupils of her eyes may be unequal in size
Wrap your cat in a sheet, keeping her head uncovered, and get to the veterinarian as soon as possible. The sheet will help keep her still if she starts to struggle.
A cat who has been tumbled in the dryer may go into shock, or even stop breathing. Pay attention to your cat — ideally, have a friend or family member drive you to the vet while you hold your cat. If she goes into shock, a drop of honey or Karo syrup on her gums can help her stay conscious. If she stops breathing, you may have to perform mouth-to-nose.
In the days after a tumble in the clothes dryer, your cat will be pretty beaten up. She will be bruised all over her body, though it will be easiest to see the bruises around her head, where fur is shorter. Applying cold packs to sore spots can help ease the pain and reduce the bruising. Wrap a cold pack, a bag of ice, or even a pack of frozen vegetables in a towel or washcloth and apply to your cat for fifteen minutes at a time, two or three times throughout the day.