What to Do If Your Dog Is Hit by a Car

This Is Always an Emergency

Even if your dog gets up and seems okay after being hit by a car, go to the emergency vet immediately. Internal injuries, internal bleeding, and shock can develop rapidly and may not be visible externally. A dog that appears fine can deteriorate and die within hours without treatment.

Step 1: Ensure Your Own Safety First

Stop traffic if possible. Do not rush into the road without checking for oncoming vehicles. Your safety matters too.

Step 2: Approach Your Dog Carefully

A dog in pain and shock may bite even the most trusted owner. Approach slowly, speak calmly, and avoid sudden movements. If your dog is snapping, use a makeshift muzzle (a strip of cloth tied around the muzzle) before handling.

Step 3: Do Not Move Your Dog Unless Necessary

If your dog is in a safe location, minimize movement — spinal injuries are common in car accidents and movement can worsen them. If you must move your dog out of the road, slide them onto a rigid surface (a board, a car floor mat, a jacket stretched between two people) and move as a unit, keeping the spine straight.

🚑 Recommended: Heavy Duty 264LBS Large Dog Stretcher — Foldable pet transport stretcher with noiseless wheels. For injured and senior dogs. 45x22 inches. Keep in your car for emergencies.

Step 4: Control Bleeding

Apply firm, direct pressure to any visible wounds with a clean cloth. Do not remove the cloth — add more on top if it soaks through.

🧰 Recommended: EVERLIT Pet Medic First Aid Kit (95 Pcs) — Includes gauze, bandaging, and wound care supplies for emergency first aid.

Step 5: Check for Shock

Signs of shock include: pale or white gums, rapid weak pulse, rapid breathing, cold extremities, weakness or collapse. Keep your dog warm with a blanket and get to the vet as fast as possible.

Step 6: Transport to Emergency Vet Immediately

• Call ahead so the team can prepare
• Keep your dog as still and warm as possible during transport
• Have a helper hold your dog if possible — do not leave them unattended in the back seat
• Drive safely — arriving in one piece matters

What the Vet Will Check

• Internal bleeding (ultrasound)
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
• Fractures (X-rays)
• Spinal injury
• Bladder or organ rupture
• Shock management

Even dogs that appear uninjured after a car accident need a full examination — internal injuries are not always visible.