Seeing a dog or cat get hit by a car (HBC) can be terrifying, especially if it is your own. Even a pet that looks “mostly okay” may still have serious injuries inside, so this should always be treated as an emergency and undergo a thorough evaluation by a veterinarian, day or night.

What Should You Do First?

First, make sure you are safe. Look for traffic before you run into the road. An injured pet may be in pain, afraid, or confused, and even a very sweet pet may bite. Keep your face away from your pet’s mouth and ask another person to help if one is nearby.

Call a veterinary clinic or emergency hospital right away. Tell them your pet was hit by a car and that you are on the way. If the injured animal is not your pet, call Animal Control, if possible, since they are trained to help injured animals.

Moving Your Pet

Move your pet as little as possible. After trauma, veterinarians assume there could be more than one injury, including injuries to the neck or spine as well as internal injuries. A flat board, thick cardboard, or a folded blanket can help support your pet while you move them.

For cats, a box or carrier with air holes is often safest. For larger dogs, a board, blanket, or other firm surface can work like a stretcher. Try to avoid twisting the body or making sudden jerking movements.

In Case of Bleeding

If your pet is bleeding, press gently but firmly on the area with a clean towel, cloth, feminine pad, or gauze. If the cloth gets soaked, do not pull it off. Put more clean material on top and keep pressing. If something is stuck in the wound, do not pull it out.

What Signs Are Most Worrisome?

Trouble breathing, pale gums, weakness, collapse, confusion, shaking, not wanting to move, or acting painful are all very serious signs. These can happen with internal bleeding, chest injury, brain injury, broken bones, or shock. Some of these problems may not be obvious right away, and some injuries (like a diaphragm tear) can take days to weeks to show up.

Can a Pet Look Fine at First?

A pet can absolutely look fine but have internal injuries. This is one of the hardest things about car injuries. A pet may be able to stand up or walk and still have hidden damage to the lungs, brain, belly, or other organs. Some problems do not show up for hours, and sometimes even longer, which is why close monitoring and a veterinary exam are so important.

What To Do on the Way to The Veterinarian 

Keep your pet warm, quiet, and as still as possible. A light blanket can help. Call the hospital or ER so they can prepare. Drive carefully and try not to make sudden turns or stops. Do not offer food. Small sips of water may be okay in some cases, but only if your pet is fully awake and your veterinarian approves.

What Your Veterinarian May Do

At the hospital, the team will first check your pet's breathing, heart rate, pain, blood flow, and level of alertness. They may recommend X-rays, bloodwork, ultrasound, or other tests to look for broken bones, bleeding, or organ damage. Early treatment may include oxygen, IV fluids, pain medicine, wound care, and sometimes surgery or hospital care.

Will Surgery Always be Required?

No, surgery is not always needed. Some pets mainly need pain control, rest, wound care, and monitoring. Others may need surgery for broken bones, internal bleeding, or damage inside the chest or belly. The treatment plan depends on which parts of the body were injured and on how stable your pet is upon examination.

Dogs Versus Cats

The first steps are mostly the same for dogs and cats: stay safe, move them carefully, and get them to a veterinarian fast. Cats often do best in a secure box or carrier. Dogs may need a blanket or board for support. Smaller animals can suffer very severe injury from a car because of their size, so even a “small hit” or bump should be taken very seriously.

Prevention

Many accidents can be prevented with leashes, secure fences, close supervision outdoors, and good recall training. At night, reflective gear can help drivers see you and your pet more easily. Microchips are also important, but they only help if the contact information is up to date.

The Bottom Line

A dog or cat hit by a car needs veterinary care right away, even if the pet looks okay at first. Stay calm, keep yourself safe, move your pet gently, control bleeding if you can, and head to a veterinary hospital for tests and evaluation as soon as possible. X-rays and lab tests are almost always needed. Quick action gives your pet the best chance.