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A black and white tuxedo cat sits on the lower rack of an open dishwasher among plates and glasses, looking at the viewer. 9 / 26

A Tuxedo Cat Decided the Dishwasher Was the Best Seat in the House

AI imagetuxedo catdishwasherkitchen

Nobody asked for a tuxedo cat in the dishwasher, but there Oreo sits, right on the lower rack between a white bowl and a row of clean glasses. His white bib and paws look especially neat against all that stainless steel, and his round green eyes fix on the room with total confidence. The door hangs open in front of warm wooden cabinets, a towel hangs from a drawer handle, and a bit of light bounces off the plates. He looks like a very formal guest who has chosen an unusual table.

Cats love enclosed, cool or interesting spaces, and an open dishwasher is a surprisingly attractive one. The metal feels cool, the inside is snug, and the smells of food lingering on dishes are fascinating. Tuxedo cats are not a breed but a coat pattern, and they are often described as outgoing, playful and talkative, though each cat is an individual. Appliance safety matters, because cats can slip into dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and ovens without anyone seeing. Get into the habit of looking before you shut a door and check that your cat is somewhere else before you start a cycle. Sharp knives and detergent pods should also be kept well out of paw reach. If you worry your cat has licked cleaner, call your vet.

Oreo will be gently lifted out and the glasses will be rewashed, but he will happily sit back down the moment the door opens again.

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