If your beloved cat is in a traffic accident... A veterinarian explains in detail the first aid and response you need to know.

It's rare to find someone who hasn't seen a cat hit by a car on the road, tragically altered. During mating season and birthing season, it's very common to see adult cats and kittens, whose range of activity has expanded, get hit by cars.

We will explain first aid and countermeasures in the unfortunate event that your beloved cat is involved in a traffic accident.

Why do cats get into traffic accidents?

First of all, cats don't know traffic rules. They cross the road without checking for cars. Cats are not good at backing up or walking backward, so they can't turn back even if a car approaches, leading to accidents. Also, cats' bodies stiffen when they are startled, so they may sit down in surprise at a car and get into an accident.

Especially during mating season, males chasing females or females running away often leads to accidents. Also, when kittens become able to act alone, they don't know the dangers of cars and may run into the road, increasing the number of accidents.

What to do if your cat is in a traffic accident

When a cat is involved in a traffic accident, they often sustain fractures, internal organ damage, or are killed instantly. In the case of a traffic accident, they may be severely injured, so it is important to handle the situation calmly.

Move to the side of the road

In the middle of the road, you, the owner, could also be involved in an accident. First, move to the side of the road. Wrap the cat in a towel and gently cradle it. Moving the cat in a cardboard box or carrier case will make it easier for both the cat and you. If you pick up the cat forcefully, fractures and other injuries may worsen, so move cautiously.

As there is a possibility of vomiting, position its face and body sideways.

Check the cat's general condition

Once you've moved to the side of the road, first check if it's alive. Check if it's breathing. Then contact a veterinary hospital. If you can, call out to it to see if there's a response, check for bleeding, and see if its legs are in an unusual position.

When checking its overall condition, try not to move it as much as possible, as shaking it could worsen head or internal injuries.

Contact a veterinary hospital　

Contact a nearby veterinary hospital and ask for a veterinarian's opinion. If it's at night, contact an emergency veterinary hospital. You might be panicking due to the accident, but if you visit without contacting them, they might not be able to attend to you immediately due to other procedures. Always contact them, explain the situation, and then visit.

Even if it can walk immediately after the accident, if there is internal bleeding, its condition may worsen over time. Always have it examined by a veterinarian.

In case of bleeding

Press the bleeding area with a towel or similar. If there's a wound, tying a part slightly closer to the heart than the wound can help stop the bleeding.

In case of fractures or other injuries

If the leg is bent at an odd angle, there's a possibility of a fracture or dislocation. Moving it unnecessarily can cause severe pain, so it's important not to move it. When transporting, place it in a cardboard box or a large carrier case to keep its body as still as possible.

How to prevent your beloved cat from getting into a traffic accident

The most common outcome of a traffic accident is instant death. Cats often dart out suddenly, and cars can't avoid colliding with them. This usually results in severe head trauma or internal organ damage, leading to instant death.

Most cats brought in after traffic accidents are already deceased. While the chances of instant death might be lower in collisions with bicycles, injuries like fractures can lead to the need for nursing care. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent traffic accidents.

Keep them strictly indoors

In recent years, it's recommended that cats be kept strictly indoors, but many owners still let them outside. If they don't go outside, they will never be in a traffic accident. In an environment where cats can freely go outside, it's not surprising if they get into an accident at any time. Keep them strictly indoors and don't let them outside.

As an aside, the lifespan of a stray cat is said to be less than 5 years. Most of these deaths are believed to be due to traffic accidents.

Prevent your cat from escaping

You need to take measures to prevent your cat from going outside. For example, ensure windows cannot be opened by cats, prevent cats from going near the entrance, and ensure the entrance door cannot be opened. The balcony is also a common escape route. Cats can get outside by climbing on roofs or fences from the balcony. Do not let them out on the balcony.

You can purchase escape prevention goods at home centers or online stores. Make sure to check the size carefully before purchasing. Cats can escape through even small gaps.

Perform spaying/neutering surgery

During mating season, cats become more active than usual and expand their range of activity far and wide in search of a mate. Also, when chasing a mate, they become oblivious to their surroundings, increasing the likelihood of an accident. If your cat hasn't been spayed or neutered, consider having the surgery and keeping them strictly indoors.

Summary

Most cats involved in traffic accidents are killed instantly. If your cat is hit by a car, unfortunately, there may not be much you can do in terms of first aid.

To prevent your beloved cat from getting into a traffic accident, the only option is to keep them indoors. It's also important to create an environment where they can't go outside. It's best to cherish and care for them inside the home.