What to do if your cat is hit by a car

It’s extremely distressing when your cat is hit by a vehicle. Here’s what to do. What to do You must see the vet as soon as possible. Even if your cat looks fine, there can sometimes be an “adrenaline lag”, where your cat’s stress hormones and trauma response mask injury. For example, a cat may look okay, but be suffering from internal injuries. Your vet may suggest admitting your cat for monitoring, even if there are no obvious injuries. Another essential thing to remember: never use human medication, especially pain medication, on your cat after an accident. We understand that it’s stressful and you want to help, but these are fatal to cats. But there are a few steps before getting to the vet which are essential to follow. How to check on the cat You need to look for three key things: These are the key signs of consciousness, but even if your cat is doing all of these things that doesn’t guarantee they are ok. You’ll still need to safely transport them to the vet as soon as possible for further assessment. How to safely restrain and transport the cat It’s important to stay calm and act quickly. Step one: Prioritise security and your safety Before approaching the cat, make sure the road is clear. You need to keep yourself safe as well as the cat. Step two: Approach with caution Injured cats experience a massive rush of adrenaline. Even the most loving pet may bite or claw viciously due to pain-induced aggression. Step three: Restrain the cat safely Cats can understandably become aggressive and/or run away after an accident. You’ll need to immobilise them safely before taking them to the vet. Here’s how to: Step four: Call the vet Call your closest vet or emergency vet. It’s much better if they expect you to arrive. They can get staff ready and prepare everything they need in advance, saving precious time. Step five: Head to the vet A car is best, but use whatever safe transport you can. Ask someone else to drive you if you're upset or in shock. Symptoms to look for after the accident If your cat has been very lucky, they may not need to be hospitalised. After your cat has seen the vet and been signed off, you’ll still need to keep an eye on them for two key issues: long-term shock and signs of internal damage. Symptoms of shock Symptoms of longer-term problems Take your cat back to the vet immediately if you notice any of these. Setting up your home after an accident Once you’ve seen a vet, they’ll likely advise on how you can set up your home to make sure your cat stays comfortable and healthy. If your cat has received treatment or surgery for their injuries, your vet may recommend adding changes like: Strict containment in their crate For serious injuries, your cat may need to be contained in their crate for the short-term. This is to help them recover after surgery and prevent them from jumping, climbing and doing anything else that may hurt them. Creating a calm, safe recovery space Cats may need to have restricted movement after surgery or just a smaller space where they can’t jump around. Pick a room they like in the house, and add things like: Supporting mobility Post-surgery cats can struggle with balance and weakness, leading to a bit more hesitancy when moving around. Dogs can have external support, like harnesses, to help them, but cats typically don’t manage well with these. To help them, make sure you: Your vet will be able to help advise you further, though, as exact mobility needs and support will vary on a case-by-case basis. Supportive bedding and sleep Make sure you have the right bedding to support your cat’s recovery. Again, your vet can advise on this, but ideal bedding includes: Maintaining mental stimulation Much like humans, the mental side of recovery is important for cats. A cat is much more likely to recover well if they don’t feel bored or depressed, so you should carry on with mental stimulation if physical exercise is too risky. Some calmer enrichment ideas could include: Avoid anything that’s too physically exerting, as this can impact your cat’s recovery. Do you have to stop if you hit a cat in the UK? Legally, no. The Road Traffic Act 1988 says you only need to stop for certain animals, like dogs, horses and livestock. Not cats. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. As a pet parent, you’ll know how distressing it would be if something happened to your pet. We’d recommend helping any animal in distress, as long as it’s safe to do so. When are the roads most dangerous for cats? Dusk, dawn and nighttime will likely be the most dangerous times. While accidents can happen all year round, winter is particularly risky. Colder weather often means cats hunker near car engines for warmth, and low visibility and poor weather often mean more hazardous driving.

What to do if your cat is hit by a car

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