An 11-year-old Melbourne cat has defied the odds after spending approximately four hours trapped inside a running tumble dryer on high heat, requiring two days of intensive veterinary care before making a remarkable full recovery.
The cat, named Minam, crawled undetected into the dryer while its owner, Syma, was loading a doona to dry. The dryer door had been left open for around five minutes — long enough for the curious cat to slip inside without being noticed.
How Minam ended up inside the dryer
Syma told how she left home to go to work and drop her child at kindergarten, not realising Minam had made himself comfortable inside the appliance. When she returned roughly four hours later, she noticed the cat was absent from his usual resting spot.
"I left for work and to drop my kid off at kinder and I came back about four hours later and didn't see him in his little house," she said.
It was only after calling out Minam's name that she heard a faint meow coming from inside the dryer. The appliance was still warm to the touch when she arrived home, though Syma believes it may not have been running for the full four hours Minam was trapped inside.
"I opened the door and he was just standing there on the doona. He looked normal at first, but then when I picked him up, he had some drool on the side of his mouth and he started panting," she said.
Serious injuries and intensive care treatment
Syma rushed Minam to the vet immediately. Examination revealed significant injuries, including a swollen and bruised tongue, mouth trauma, and damage to his eyes. Veterinary staff conducted multiple scans to check for damage to his liver, kidneys, and heart, and the cat spent two days in an oxygen tank at Lort Smith Animal Hospital's intensive care unit.
Given the severity of what he endured, Minam's survival is being described as extraordinary. Heat-related trauma of this nature can be fatal for animals, and the internal injuries alone warranted extensive monitoring and treatment.
Minam makes a full recovery
Against all expectations, Minam has now made a complete recovery. His owner says there is no sign of the ordeal he survived.
"He's completely fine. You'd never think that he was in the dryer at all. He's completely demanding cuddles and pats and food all the time," Syma said.
The upbeat outcome has brought relief to the family, though the incident has left a lasting reminder of how quickly domestic appliances can become dangerous for household pets.
A warning to pet owners across Australia
Lort Smith Animal Hospital has used the incident as an opportunity to urge pet owners to take simple precautions. Cats are well known for seeking out warm, enclosed spaces — from the wheel arches of parked cars to the drums of washing machines and dryers.
The hospital is advising owners to always check inside dryers and washing machines before starting a cycle, and to make a habit of keeping appliance doors closed when not in use. Such a routine, veterinary staff say, could save a pet's life.
Minam's story serves as a timely reminder that even everyday household routines carry hidden risks for curious animals — and that a few seconds of caution before pressing start can make all the difference.
