What cat owners can do to prevent their cats from getting into traffic accidents

Until recently, it was common for cats to roam freely, but now "indoor-only" is the norm.

After all, traffic accidents are scary, and there are also concerns about infectious diseases, accidental ingestion, and kidnapping. If you consider your cat's health and safety, keeping them strictly indoors is a golden rule.

However, even if you strictly adhere to indoor-only living, you cannot eliminate the risk of traffic accidents.

This time, we would like to consider the risks of traffic accidents hidden in life with cats and how to prevent them.

Why Cat Traffic Accidents Are Common

According to the Ministry of the Environment's "Status of Dog and Cat Impoundment, Injured Animal Collection, and Disposal", 11,226 injured cats were impounded in fiscal year 2019.

While not all of these were due to traffic accidents, this number far exceeds the 735 dogs impounded. What are the reasons for this?

Cat Habits

Cats have a habit of freezing when they feel fear or are surprised. It seems that many cases involve cats being surprised by the sound or lights of a car, stopping in their tracks, and then getting into an accident.

Also, curiosity about prey or other cats, leading them to dart into the road, is another contributing factor.

How Cats are Kept

Another reason for the high number of "cat traffic accidents" is that while dogs walk with their owners, cats often walk alone.

Compared to strictly indoor cats, cats that are free to go outside and stray cats are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents.

Even with Strict Indoor-Only Keeping, There's Still a Risk of Traffic Accidents

According to the Japan Pet Food Association's "2020 National Dog and Cat Ownership Survey", the average lifespan of indoor-only cats is 16.13 years, while the average lifespan of cats that go outside is 13.57 years.

The difference in average lifespan between indoor and outdoor cats is likely due to the increased risk of traffic accidents and infectious diseases for outdoor cats.

To prevent cat traffic accidents, I believe that "strict indoor-only keeping" is essential. However, even with strict indoor-only keeping, the risk of traffic accidents cannot be eliminated if "escape" cannot be prevented.

It is important to have thorough escape prevention measures, such as locking doors and windows and using escape-proof gates, as well as to be aware of common situations where escapes can occur in daily life.

Escape during heat

When an unspayed or unneutered cat enters heat, they may escape in search of a mate. They can tear through screens or slip out of unexpected gaps, so caution is advised.

Escape during vet visits

When going out in a carrier bag or carrier, such as for a vet visit, a cat may jump out because it is surprised by the unusual situation. There have also been cases where cats escaped due to a faulty door.

Escape during drives

You may take your cat on a drive or bring them when you visit your hometown. While it's easy to think they're safe inside the car, there are surprisingly many cases where cats escape the moment the car door is opened at a rest stop.

Cat traffic accident prevention starts with escape prevention

To prevent cat traffic accidents, "escape prevention" must be thorough.

Of course, preventing escape from doors and windows is important, but special attention should be paid to preventing escape when going out. First, it is important to prevent escapes, and then to be prepared for an accidental escape or getting lost.

Put on a cat harness

When taking your cat to the vet or on car rides, the time spent "outside their territory" is a dangerous time.

Even when traveling in a carrier bag or carrier, cats can jump out. To prevent escape, put on a "harness" and "leash".

When enjoying a drive, don't hold them in your lap; instead, have them in a carrier bag or carrier. When allowing your cat to eat or use the litter box at a rest stop, always put on their harness and leash.

If your cat is accustomed to wearing a harness and leash, it will also be useful in emergency evacuation situations.

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A post shared by Yasuhiro Kanno (@yasu.crocco)

▲ The drive with Crocco-chan. This cat loves to drive while wearing Poponeko's harness.

【Check out the product details introduced in the article】 Gentle vest harness for cats with leash

Wear a cat collar and ID tag

In case your cat escapes, be sure to put a "cat collar" and "ID tag" on them.

If a cat is wearing a collar, it will be immediately identifiable as a pet and can serve as a clue during a search. Also, if there's an ID tag, the person who finds the cat might be able to contact the owner.

"Cat collars" and "ID tags" are extremely important items for cats and their owners to be reunited.

Microchip implantation

In case your cat's collar or ID tag comes off, have them implanted with a "microchip". A microchip contains a registration number, and with a special scanner, your contact information can be retrieved.

In June 2022, due to an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act, it became a "duty of effort" for general owners to microchip their dogs and cats.

Please consider microchipping your cat at this opportunity.

Summary

To prevent cat traffic accidents, "indoor-only keeping" is the best.

However, during outings such as vet visits or trips, the risk of escape significantly increases.

When taking your cat outside their territory, put on a cat harness and leash to prevent accidental escapes. Even when they are in a carrier bag or carrier, a harness and leash will provide peace of mind.

Be especially careful when going on drives. Watch out for escapes when opening doors or windows, and make sure to put on a harness and leash when allowing your cat to eat or use the litter box at rest stops.

Furthermore, a "cat collar," "ID tag," and "microchip" are essential items for escape prevention. Start taking measures now to ensure you can be reunited with your beloved cat.

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