It’s something no pet owner wants to think about, but sadly being hit by a car is a real risk for cats – particularly if you live near a busy road. Many of these road accidents result in the need for emergency veterinary treatment, which can be costly, especially if you don’t have a pet insurance policy in place.
Many insurance companies, such as Petsure, suggest the best way to ensure your cat is covered in the event of an accident is to have an adequate policy arranged. However, there are lots of things you can do to prevent road accidents in the first place. If you and your cat reside near a busy road, you should take the following advice:
Keep your cat indoors in the evening
Most road accidents involving cats happen during night-time when visibility conditions are noticeably poorer. While cats are independent creatures that like to roam around, it might be a good idea to try and keep your cat indoors after the sun goes down. To achieve this, try feeding your cat in the evening. This way, your cat will associate night-time with feeding time and head home with a hungry belly.
Fit your cat with a reflective collar
Road workers and cyclists wear high visibility reflective clothing to keep them safe and ensure drivers notice them – and you can do the same for your cat. A reflective collar will help drivers to spot your cat more easily, particularly in low light or poor visibility conditions. With a reflective collar, drivers are likely to notice your pet sooner and will therefore have more time to hit the brakes if necessary. If you decide to adorn your cat with a collar, ensure that you choose a “break-away” style design that won’t get caught on fence posts or branches while your pet is out exploring the world.
Consider a harness
If you’re worried about what your cat gets up to, why not tag along during outdoor playtime? Taking your cat for a walk with a harness allows you to keep an eye on your pet, and this can offer much-needed physical and mental stimulation for indoor cats in particular. However, not all cats will be comfortable wearing a harness. If your animal shows signs of distress, remove the harness and consider other ways to keep your pet safe.
Arrange a cat insurance policy
With a sufficient cat insurance policy in place, you’ll have peace of mind that any vet’s bills will be covered in the event of a road accident involving your pet. It’s impossible to put a price on the health of our pets, but with an insurance policy you won’t need to worry about finding the funds to help nurse your cat back to health should the unthinkable happen.