Can a Kitten Get Stuck in an Engine?

This heart-breaker could get stuck in a car engine.
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It can be a scary situation. You get into your vehicle -- and you hear a faint “mew!” When you pop the latch to the hood, you’re able to trace the sound to the engine. A tiny fur baby crawled in, and now you need to get him out.

It’s Definitely Possible

Yes, a kitten can crawl into your car engine. What’s worse, if one does get inside and you don’t find out quickly enough, tragedy may be the result, especially if you like felines. It happens all over. Some drivers are fortunate enough to realize what’s happened, and they get help to rescue the stuck little fur baby. Other drivers -- and kittens -- are not so lucky.

Some Examples

One driver found out a 2-month-old kitten had become wedged into the exhaust system of his engine. As the driver started his car, the poor baby was sucked into the engine, becoming stuck in the exhaust section.

A veterinarian in Malta was called to assist in removing a kitten from a car engine after law enforcement personnel were unable to rescue the tiny cat. He saw that the kitten’s leg was caught in the engine shaft. He sedated the cat before trying to release him and, as he realized the extent of the kitten’s injuries, realized he would have to euthanize him. This little fur baby was in extreme pain from extensive injuries to his leg.

A New York driver saw a kitten’s face emerging from the housing of a turn signal on a Mercedes Benz. After signaling the problem to the driver of the Mercedes, he and several other onlookers worked to rescue the tiny fur baby. After the car’s hood was popped open, the man coaxed the kitten out with food and, once she began moving to the food, he grabbed her.

Why Kitties are Attracted to Car Engines

When you come home and turn your engine off, the engine stays warm. During the winter months, a kitten, who doesn’t have very much body fat, gets cold outdoors. He wants to warm up. When he feels the warmth coming from your engine, up he goes, probably under the tire well. Scoot, scoot, scoot and he is inside your engine, purring and warming up. There he lies, until it’s time for you to start your car in the morning. Because he is so tiny, that kitten can easily get sucked into the motor.

Preventive Solutions

If your home has a garage, park your car inside it. If not, you’ll have to rely on daily awareness, making sure to scare any little ones snoozing on top of your engine before you start the car. Bang the hood once or twice, then stomp on the floorboards. The sudden loud noise startles the little fur baby, and he will go out the same way he got in. If you feel it’s necessary, pop the hood and check, just to make sure. The best preventive solution is to keep a kitten indoors, if at all possible. Try to train him to become an indoor cat.

Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.

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