It’s an accident no pet owner wants to consider: your dog gets hit by a car. It’s frightening to even consider the possibility, but knowing how to respond in the event of an accident is crucial for pet owners to know. 

Understand that any vehicular accident should be treated as an emergency that requires immediate veterinary care. Even if it looked like your dog was “only grazed“ by a car, or seems fine after the accident, symptoms of internal injuries are not always evident at first, and can be lethal if not treated immediately.

Below, you’ll find a list of some important steps if a dog is hit by a car. Read through this information and remember that the most important step is to go to an emergency vet like VEG ER for Pets as soon as possible. Save us to your contacts to save precious minutes if emergency strikes.

Steps to follow if a dog is hit by a car

1. Ensure Your Safety First

You can’t help your dog if you get injured yourself. If your dog ran into the road and got hit by a car, check for oncoming traffic before dashing into the street to get to them. If you were driving and were hit, make sure you are okay first, then move to a safe location.

2. Stay Calm Around Your Injured Dog

It's important to remember to stay calm while tending to your dog. It’s normal to be shaken by the accident, but taking a moment for a few deep breaths and calming yourself before interacting with your dog will go a long way. Not only will your dog benefit from your calm, reassuring energy, you’ll be in a better frame of mind. 

You may be worried and frantic if your dog has just been hit by a car, and this is normal. However, the calmer you are, the better you will be able to drive safely to the nearest veterinary emergency hospital and make the right decisions for your pet’s care.

3. Approach the injured dog with care

Be very careful when handling your dog after a vehicle accident. Your dog is likely to be panicked or in shock, and may react aggressively or defensively towards you as a result. You could risk being bitten by your pet, so stay away from their mouth and head when handling them.

Don’t attempt to muzzle your dog without checking with a vet at VEG ER for Pets first, since there are circumstances where muzzling can be dangerous for your pet, such as if they’re vomiting, struggling to breathe, or are overheated.

Accidents can happen in any weather, at any time. That's why VEG ER for Pets is open 24/7 every day, including holidays, to care for accidents and injuries with compassionate vet care.

4. Cover your dog after a car accident

   Place a blanket or a coat over your dog to keep their body temperature from falling due to shock. Warmth and your calm reassurance can help reduce stress and pain, which can worsen shock.

5. Check for symptoms of life-threatening injury

   Here’s a quick checklist of serious symptom assessment:

   • Is your dog conscious?

   • Does your dog seem disoriented, have unequal pupil size or is experiencing a seizure?

   • Are they bleeding severely?

   • Can your dog stand?

   • Are their gums pale, blue, or grey?

   • Are they demonstrating signs of shock? (Cold extremities, rapid breathing, weakness, pale gums)

   • Are they breathing normally?

   Even if your dog isn’t showing any of these symptoms, it is critical to get them emergency veterinary care to rule out internal injuries.

6. Call your nearest VEG ER for Pets emergency vet hospital

   One of our experienced emergency vets will give you instructions on what to do to help stabilize your pet if need be as you bring them to the nearest VEG emergency hospital. Our vet will ask you questions about your dog’s injuries which will enable them to give you proper instructions on emergency wound care and safe transportation. 

   
   

   Emergency veterinary teams are equipped to diagnose and treat trauma quickly. By giving them a heads-up, you can allow them to prepare for your pet’s arrival.

• Talk to the driver of the car that hit your dog

  Many times, we aren’t present when a dog gets hit by a car. If you’ve learned about the accident from the driver of the vehicle, or if you are otherwise able to contact the driver, do so calmly. Get as much information as you can about the accident so you can provide it to our emergency vet, such as:

  • how fast the car was going

  • where the dog was hit

  • how long ago it happened.

Additionally, you may want to get contact information from the driver, too.

Learn the steps to take after a dog is involved in a car accident, including how to stabilize the pet before going to the emergency vet at VEG ER for Pets. Knowing what to do saves precious time and guesswork. VEG is open 24/7 and you can stay with your pet the entire visit.

How to stabilize and transport your dog safely after an accident

In addition from getting instructions from an ER vet, here are some general safety tips for stabilizing and transporting your pup:

• Apply firm but gentle pressure to actively bleeding wounds

• Keep your dog warm to help prevent shock

• Do NOT give your dog food, water, or medications

• Use a blanket, board, or firm surface as a makeshift stretcher

• Keep your dog’s spine as straight and stable as possible

“Wait and See” is never an option - immediate emergency care is critical (even if your dog seems fine)

Waiting to see if symptoms develop or get worse before bringing them to an emergency vet hospital is putting your pet through unnecessary risk for further complications or even death. 

Remember that:

• Internal injuries can worsen over hours

• Bleeding into the chest, abdomen, or brain can be fatal without intervention

• Adrenaline can mask pain

• Shock may not set in for hours

What to expect at the emergency vet

Once you arrive at VEG ER for Pets, our team of veterinary emergency professionals will get right to work caring for your pet (emergencies are what we specialize in, after all).

And at VEG animal hospital, you’ll be able to stay with your dog throughout assessment and treatment. 

Some things to expect from your vet visit may include:

• Triage and immediate stabilization

• Oxygen support if needed

• IV catheter and fluids

• Pain management

• Bloodwork to assess organ function

• X-rays or ultrasound to check for internal injury

• Possible surgery if internal bleeding or fractures are found

What NOT to do if your dog is hit by a car

• Do not assume your dog is okay because they can walk

• Do not give food, water, or human pain medications

• Do not attempt to set or splint broken bones

• Do not muzzle your dog without consulting an ER vet first

• Do not delay seeking care to “monitor at home”

Safety tips to consider after your dog was involved in a car accident

• Add the number and location of your nearest VEG ER for Pets emergency animal hospital to your phone so you’re prepared BEFORE an emergency happens.

• Always secure your dog safely in your car, either with a doggie seatbelt or a properly secured crate.

• Keep your dog properly leashed walking near roads.

• Check collars, leashes, and harnesses for wear and tear, regularly.

• Make sure fencing in your yard is secure, gates stay closed properly, and signs or instructions about keeping your fence gate closed are displayed/conveyed to landscapers you have.

• Use reflective collars or LED gear when walking your dog at night.

• Keep an emergency pet first aid kit in your car for added peace of mind.

Dog was in a car accident? Make VEG emergency vet your first call

We hope you never have to use the information provided, but it’s always better to be prepared. And if the unthinkable does happen you can take comfort in knowing VEG vet hospitals are here for you 24/7, every day of the year, including holidays.

With emergency vet hospital locations all over the country, you can find our expert care even when you travel.