While cats are nimble and quick, they sometimes don’t move fast enough to get out of a vehicle’s way. Whether they’re napping behind a rear tire or dart in front of a moving car, it’s a horrible feeling to hit a cat or discover your cat has been hit by a car.
There are right and wrong ways to handle a pet emergency. This step-by-step guide will give you the tools you need to best help a cat who has been hit by a car.
Key Takeaways
- If your cat is hit by a car, transport your pet to the closest veterinary hospital as quickly as possible while someone else works to collect information and share it with hospital staff.
- Since hit-by-car situations are urgent, your cat will likely be seen as soon as you enter the hospital. Calling ahead helps ensure the veterinary team is ready when you arrive.
- A cat can survive being hit by a car. Their chance of survival varies greatly depending on where they are hit, how fast the vehicle is traveling when they are hit, and what condition they were in before being struck.
What Should You Do if Your Cat Was Hit by a Car?
If you have someone with you, it is best to transport your cat to the closest veterinary hospital as quickly as possible while someone else works to collect information and share it with hospital staff.
In the event your cat is hit by a car:
Stay calm. Animals can sense the emotions of the people around them. Staying calm will help you better communicate with the veterinary team so you can give them all the information, and it will also help your cat remain calm.
Check your cat’s injuries. Look your cat over closely before attempting to transport them. Check to see if they are mentally appropriate and responsive:
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If your cat is breathing with their mouth open or their gums are pale, white, purple, or blue-tinged, inform the veterinary emergency hospital.
Call the closest veterinary emergency hospital. Let the closest emergency room know that you are on the way. Tell them how the cat was hit (e.g., run over or clipped), whether the cat is conscious and responsive, and if you can see any obvious injuries or bleeding. Provide as many details as possible, as this will help them prepare for your arrival.
Collect information from the driver. Many people who hit a cat will be willing to help cover the vet bills. Collect the driver’s information, including their name and phone number, so you can follow up with them after your cat has been stabilized.
Handle your cat carefully. Take care when handling your cat to avoid jostling them and worsening any injuries. Using a towel to move your cat can help support their body and prevent you from accidentally getting scratched or bitten. Speak in soothing tones and try to move your cat as little as possible while traveling to the veterinary hospital.
Bring your cat to the veterinary hospital. If someone is traveling with you, have them call as you arrive so the hospital staff can meet you at the door and begin working on your cat.
What Happens at the Vet?
Since hit-by-car situations are urgent, your cat will likely be seen as soon as you enter the hospital. Calling ahead helps ensure the veterinary team is ready when you arrive.
The first thing the veterinarian will do is examine your cat and assess their most urgent injuries. Cats who have been hit by a car are often in shock, and your vet will prioritize stabilizing your cat by bringing their vital signs, such as their heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure, into normal ranges and controlling any bleeding.
The veterinary staff may take your cat to another room to assess and stabilize them, or they may be able to do this in the exam room with you present.
If your cat is taken to another room, the clinic staff will likely direct you to a waiting area where you can wait while they work on your cat.
Measures the veterinary team may take to assess and stabilize your cat include:
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If your cat’s heart stops, the veterinary team may immediately start CPR.
After your cat is released from the hospital, their recovery plan will depend on the severity of their injuries.
If your cat had any lacerations that had to be stitched or comes home with bandages from an orthopedic injury, a cat recovery collar or suit will likely be helpful.
Be sure to follow all the home care instructions and allow your pet a slow return to normal function with lots of rest.
What If Your Cat Got Hit by a Car But You Can’t Afford a Vet?
Unfortunately, cats who are hit by cars often have serious injuries that require veterinary care.
If you cannot afford care, try contacting your local animal shelter, rescues, and veterinary clinics to discuss options. Some groups have assistance programs to help pet parents with limited funds.
Many vet clinics will take payment plans, like CareCredit, that allow you to break up the bill into smaller amounts that you pay over time. You can also consider reaching out to family or friends for assistance or starting a GoFundMe.
Sometimes relinquishing a pet to a veterinary clinic or shelter for treatment is the only option in a difficult situation. It’s best to work with your veterinary team or your friends and family first to see if additional support can be reached.
What if You Hit a Cat That Isn’t Your Pet?
If you accidentally hit someone else’s cat, you should take them to the closest veterinary hospital for treatment.
Be aware that most veterinary clinics expect the person presenting the pet to pay the bill, so ensure you’re prepared to cover the cost of care. If you need help covering the vet bill, you can work with the vet clinic or the cat’s pet parent to determine a plan that best benefits everyone involved.
If the cat has a collar with a tag, reach out to their owner as soon as possible. Even if the cat doesn’t have a collar, they may have a microchip the veterinary staff can scan to help you find their pet parent.
What To Do if Your Cat Is Hit by a Car FAQs
Can a cat survive after being hit by a car?
Yes, a cat can survive being hit by a car. Their chance of survival varies greatly depending on where they are hit, how fast the vehicle is traveling when they are hit, and what condition they were in before being struck.
How do you save a cat who has been hit by a car?
The best way to save a cat who has been hit by a car is to take them to the nearest veterinary hospital for immediate treatment.
