Winter can be a dangerous time for animals — and your car could be one of the scariest places of all for an outdoor cat that’s trying to warm up.
After your car’s engine has been turned off and while it’s still warm, cats may be enticed to crawl up under the hood where they’ll find heat. But things can go terribly wrong once the engine revs, the fan belts begin turning and other parts start whirring.
You can prevent cats from getting severely injured or worse by alerting them before you start your car. A honk or several taps on the hood will help move them on their way.
This is reason enough not to let your cat wander outside. You can help prevent other cats from climbing under the hood by parking in a closed garage or covering your car to prevent entry into the engine compartment. Using a motion sensor alarm is another option.