What to Do If Your Pet Is Hit by a Car: Immediate Steps to Save Their Life
This Article Will Address:
- What to do if your dog is hit by a car
- How to check for internal injuries in pets
- Whether you should move your pet after an accident
- What to avoid giving your pet for pain
- How to transport an injured dog or cat safely
- What to expect when arriving at Urgent Pet
- Why prompt, expert care in the Bay Area matters
Accidents Happen Fast — Here’s How to Respond Even Faster
Your pet being hit by a car is every pet owner’s worst nightmare. In a split second, panic sets in. But knowing what to do next could save your pet’s life. At Urgent Pet Animal Hospital, we specialize in emergency and urgent veterinary care only. No vaccines. No routine services. Just fast, skilled help when every second counts.
Here’s what to do to protect your pet’s life before you get to us.
Stay Calm and Assess the Scene
Ensure Your Safety and Theirs
If your pet is hit by a car, your instincts may tell you to rush in. But first, stop. Breathe. Assess the traffic around you and make sure it’s safe to approach.
- Approach your pet slowly to avoid scaring them further.
- Speak softly and move carefully.
- If they are in immediate danger (e.g., lying in the road), gently relocate them using a towel, board, or blanket for support.
- Do not try to lift them without support — spinal injuries are possible.
Call an Emergency Vet Immediately
Contact Urgent Pet Animal Hospital
Before you get in the car, call us. This allows our team to prepare for your arrival, prioritize your pet’s case, and guide you with step-by-step instructions if needed.
We are located in El Cerrito and proudly serve the greater Bay Area with urgent pet care only.
Note: If your pet is stable but needs diagnostics, we’re ready. If they’re in critical condition, we’ll stabilize and refer to a 24/7 critical care center if necessary.
Should I Move My Pet After They’ve Been Struck?
The answer depends on the surroundings. If your pet is in danger of being hit again, yes, move them.
- Always use a rigid surface (board, crate bottom, blanket with support).
- Avoid bending or twisting their spine.
- Keep them warm with a light blanket or towel.
- Comfort them verbally, but minimize movement.
How Do I Transport an Injured Dog or Cat Safely?
Transport Do’s:
- Use a carrier for cats or small dogs if they are not visibly injured and can be gently placed inside.
- For larger or immobile pets, create a makeshift stretcher using a flat board or large towel.
- Stabilize the neck and spine during lifting if you suspect trauma.
- Add soft padding around your pet once inside the vehicle to reduce jostling.
Avoid letting an injured dog or cat move freely, as this can worsen internal damage.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Hit by a Car
Dogs may bolt after an accident due to adrenaline and fear. If your dog runs:
- Call their name calmly and avoid chasing.
- Approach slowly, secure them with a leash or wrap in a blanket.
- Look for obvious injuries: bleeding, limping, rapid breathing, vocalizing, or difficulty standing.
- Even if they seem okay, internal injuries are possible, never delay a vet visit.
How Do I Check If My Pet Has Internal Injuries?
Sometimes, the most life-threatening injuries are the ones you can’t see.
Watch for:
- Pale or white gums
- Labored breathing
- Weakness or collapse
- Swollen or tender abdomen
- Rapid heart rate
Even subtle signs matter. If you see anything off, assume the worst and get to Urgent Pet immediately. Only diagnostic tools like X-rays, ultrasound, and bloodwork can confirm internal trauma, all of which we have onsite.
Can I Give My Pet Anything for Pain Before Getting to the Vet?
Absolutely not. Over-the-counter human painkillers like ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen are toxic to dogs and cats.
Giving medication can:
- Mask symptoms and delay correct diagnosis
- Interact negatively with treatment
- Cause liver or kidney damage
Focus on comforting and stabilizing your pet, we’ll manage the pain properly once you arrive.
What to Expect When You Arrive at Urgent Pet
We’re built for emergencies.
- You’ll be met with a triage-trained team ready to assess your pet right away.
- We perform immediate bloodwork, radiographs, ultrasound, and cytology in-house.
- If surgery is required, our doctors have extensive emergency experience.
- You’ll receive clear, step-by-step updates and a treatment plan.
We also offer separate housing areas for dogs and cats, oxygen therapy, and fear-free protocols. All designed to minimize your pet’s stress during a traumatic time.
Post-Emergency Care and Monitoring
After urgent stabilization, your pet may need:
- Rest and quiet recovery time
- Pain medication and wound care
- Referral for overnight hospitalization or follow-up with your regular vet
We’ll provide full discharge instructions and support you with everything needed to keep your pet safe at home.
Trust Urgent Pet for Emergency Veterinary Care in the Bay Area
If your pet has been hit by a car, don’t wait to “see how they’re doing.” Internal injuries can turn fatal without warning. At Urgent Pet Animal Hospital in El Cerrito, we specialize in emergency pet care only. No general services, no delays. If your pet has been injured by a motor vehicle, contact Urgent Pet for assistance immediately. Your pet’s emergency is our only priority.
Sources
Nilanthi Kulasekara, BVSc
Dr. Kulasekara, also known as “Dr. K,” has over 25 years of experience as a veterinarian. She has worked in emergency animal hospitals in Massachusetts, Maryland, and California, and most recently as a full-time relief veterinarian concurrently at three emergency hospitals in the East Bay. Whatever happens, our doctors have the knowledge, the experience, and the equipment to treat any case that comes through the door. So even if your pet comes to us with a true emergency, we will stabilize them before helping you get them to the appropriate emergency hospital.
