Second, yes, cats can be a problem. My wife was unloading the dryer and then stopped to answer the phone (for a change). This is what we ended up with.
That's TC, our Bengal, that seems to get into everything.
We did have a 'situation' with my namesake, 'Squirt', when he was a kitten. (14.5 years ago..)
Same thing, warm dryer, phone rings, door gets shut and the button pushed. Thump, Thump, Thump, door is ripped opened and he stumbles out dizzy as a blond.

No lasting effects.