A pet owner’s worst nightmare nearly came true when an orange cat named Little Bear was accidentally locked inside a running dryer. Lindsay Ruvalcaba shared her frightening story on Reddit Thursday, urging others to always check their dryers before turning them on.
The incident happened when Ruvalcaba was moving laundry into the dryer. She believed Little Bear was elsewhere, playing with guests. Unbeknownst to her, the curious cat had slipped inside the dryer drum. “I always check the dryer when he’s around because it’s a fear of mine,” she said. “But that one time I didn’t, he was inside.”
When the dryer started, Ruvalcaba heard loud thuds, initially thinking it was just towels shifting. But after multiple noises, she opened the door and was shocked to see Little Bear darting out and hiding under the couch. Thankfully, the cat was unharmed, but Ruvalcaba spent the night anxiously monitoring him.
Little Bear, nearly two years old, is known for his mischievous energy, often stealing wool dryer balls to play with. This wasn’t the first time he’d been near the dryer, but it was the first time he got inside.
After the scare, Ruvalcaba researched online for signs of injury and discovered many similar stories on Reddit and forums. Experts warn that such accidents can cause serious injuries or death from burns and trauma. Dr. Wendy Smith Wilson noted that cats can get burns on their ears and paws or suffer from being tossed inside the machine.
The viral Reddit post has over 53,000 upvotes and 1,500 comments, with many users sharing their own fears and experiences. One commenter joked about orange cats’ adventurous nature, while another expressed sympathy and relief that Little Bear was safe.
Ruvalcaba’s warning is clear: always double-check household appliances before use to protect curious pets from dangerous accidents.
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