Once you realize you have hit a dog or cat, stop immediately. If you can't stop immediately, pull off the road as soon as possible. The animal may still be alive and in need of medical attention.
Never hold down, shake or hit your cat. Physically harming your cat can actually make the situation worse and cause her to lash out or become withdrawn. Also, cats have a hard time associating the physical punishment with the bad behavior, so you're not actually training her to stop doing it.
While it may not seem immediately obvious, in NSW, as the driver of a vehicle, if you do happen to hit or injure an animal (other than a bird) whilst on the road, it is a legal requirement that you report the incident to either the RSPCA, an officer, or the pet owner, as soon as realistically possible.
External injuries may include fractures, dislocations (bones moving out of place) and wounds. In some cases, there may be no injuries seen externally but internal damage has occurred. Internal injuries may include bleeding, organ rupture and bruising. Your vet may need to do further tests to detect internal damage.
Some cats that are hit by a car sadly do not survive to receive veterinary treatment. However, for those that do, the prognosis is perhaps better than you might think. In one study of 128 cats that were hit by a car, 112 were alive when they arrived at the vets. For these 112 cats the chance of survival was 84%.
Yes, cats can return home many days, weeks, months, and even years after they wandered off or were lost. According to the Lost Pet Research project, there were reports of cats traveling 50-80 miles in 2.5 years, 38 miles in 6 months, 30 miles in 10 days, and 20 miles in 21 days.
Keep your cat warm (except in heat stroke), as quiet as possible, and keep movement to a minimum, especially if there is possible trauma, broken limbs, or any neurological symptoms. Contact your veterinary hospital to inform them of the situation and get specific first aid advice.
Unfortunately, wildlife collisions are pretty common in Australia. For example, in NSW, one in every 41 casualty crashes on a country road involves an animal collision1. Luckily, Bingle Comprehensive Car Insurance can cover your vehicle if it's damaged in a collision with an animal.
Is hitting a kangaroo an 'at fault' accident? No, it is not considered an at fault accident.
Why do cats hide in car engines? Cats and kittens, especially strays, seek out warm shelter in the colder months. When cars are left on the streets, driveways, or even easily accessible garages, cats will gravitate to the warmth. Sitting in between the engine and hood allows them a safe break from the harsh weather.
It can be quite stressful to have a cat hanging inside your engine bay. Unfortunately, some car owners won't even notice it's there, and without any clue, they're going to start the car which could then severely hurt the cat and potentially damage some of the engine components.
“Cats don't forgive, and once they realize a person is causing them anxiety or hurt, they keep away.” So says John Bradshaw, an anthrozoologist at Bristol University and author of “Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet.”
It is widely accepted that animals also feel pain in the same way that we do, being both a sensory and emotional experience in response to damage, or potential damage to the body. Essentially, if both you and your cat stepped on a sharp object, it's likely you'd have very similar experiences in terms of pain!
Symptoms of Head Trauma in Cats
Sometimes, there will be physical signs of an injury, but other times, you won't see any signs besides behavior that just seems unusual. Some of the most common head trauma signs include: Different pupil sizes. Rapid or unusual eye movement.
Kangaroos collisions can cost up to $5,000 in damages. In extreme cases, you may have to write off your car, as the cost of repairs can exceed the car's value.
If you come across a kangaroo, brake to avoid a collision – don't swerve. If you're in an accident prioritise safety, call 000 if needed, then contact your insurer. If you hit a kangaroo, contact a wildlife rescue organisation or the local police.
Accidental damage sometimes comes as standard on premium policies, but it's often sold as an added extra on more basic policies. It may cover accidents like your dog's waggy tail knocking over an expensive vase, but many specifically exclude pet damage caused by chewing, scratching, tearing and fouling.
The results of this study also show that only 25% of cats involved in a RTA ended up dying. These results may be somewhat biased since owners are probably less likely to bring a dead cat to the veterinarian, but they still show that many cats do survive being hit by a car.
Some of the signs for shock to look for are pale or white cat gums, rapid heartbeat, faint heartbeat, rapid breathing, and below normal temperature (feels cold). Any trauma or serious injury can cause shock.
It's not unusual for cats to go 'missing' from time to time. Sometimes they may disappear for a few hours, other times you may not see them for a day or two. It's important to understand that these vanishing acts are perfectly normal. Felines, by their nature, are adventurous animals.
The most common reason cats experience the zoomies is pent-up energy. Cats rest and sleep for a majority of the day to conserve energy for short, very active periods. Without intentional exercise and activity, your kitty will need to find a way to get that extra energy out, resulting in a case of the zoomies.
Cats live in the moment and don't see time in the same way we do. They don't have a concept of the past or future, so won't be thinking of you when you're away, wondering what you're up to or where you've gone. They'll only remember you when you show up again and they recognise your familiar smell or sounds.