If you're like most modern homeowners whose hearts and homes wouldn't be complete without a feline friend, you undoubtedly do everything you can to keep your cat safe from harm. However, cats have a reputation as adventurous souls that like to wander, and even if you've decided that your pet is going to live strictly indoors, there's always a possibility that it may quickly slip through an open door when household residents are entering or leaving. When this occurs, your pet will be at risk of being hit by a moving vehicle, especially if the animal has always lived indoors and is therefore not wise in the ways of traffic.
Accidents involving pets often happen outside of normal business hours, so make sure you've got the contact information of your local 24-hour animal hospital among your contacts on your phone and that you're familiar enough with its physical location so that you don't have to use up precious time finding online directions. Here's what else you need to do if your cat gets hit by a car.
Remain Calm
Seeing your cat injured can be stressful and possibly even overwhelming, but it's important to remain as calm as possible. The ability to think clearly will help you make good decisions in the next few crucial moments.
Check for Obvious Injuries
The first thing you need to do is check the animal for obvious injuries, such as bleeding, broken bones, respiratory distress, and extreme agitation. If your cat is unconscious, speak softly and/or very lightly tap on them to try to gently rouse them.
Handle the Cat With Extreme Care
Your cat may remain unconscious even after your attempts to rouse it, and this indicates a likelihood that the animal is in severe pain — which in turn indicates a high likelihood of internal injuries. Whether the cat is conscious or unconscious, handle it only as much as necessary to put it into a carrier for the trip to the animal hospital. If a carrier is not available, wrap the cat in a clean, warm blanket to help prevent shock and keep it as calm as possible.
Even if your pet appears to be unharmed, it's important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Injuries may not be evident right at first, and cats typically hide any sign of pain and discomfort they may be experiencing.
Reach out to a local 24-hour animal hospital to learn more.
