Pet emergencies
If your pet is hit by a vehicle
Pattaya’s roads are busy and fast, and a pet that gets loose near traffic is at real risk. The first few minutes matter.
Last updated 30 May 2026
PattayaPets is not a veterinary practice and this is not veterinary advice. In a genuine emergency, the right move is almost always the same: get your pet to a veterinarian as fast as safely possible. The information here is general orientation only.
Your own safety first
It is an awful moment, but do not run into moving traffic — you cannot help your pet if you are hurt too. If you can do it safely, signal traffic to slow or stop, and approach only when the road is clear.
Approaching an injured pet
Even the gentlest pet, in pain and shock, may bite or scratch without meaning to. Move slowly, speak in a low calm voice, and keep your face away from its mouth. A towel laid gently over a small pet can calm it and give you safer handling. Do not attempt to muzzle a pet that is vomiting or struggling to breathe.
Moving it off the road
Get your pet out of the traffic and somewhere quiet, moving it as little as possible in case of a spinal or internal injury. Support the whole body: slide a larger dog onto a board or a blanket used as a stretcher; carry a small pet supporting its body fully. Keep it warm, still and calm.
See a vet — even if it 'seems fine'
This is the part owners get wrong. After being hit, a pet can look almost normal and still have serious hidden injuries — internal bleeding, a bruised lung, a fracture, or shock that only develops over the following hours. Any pet hit by a vehicle should be seen by a vet promptly, even with no visible wound. Phone a 24-hour clinic, tell them you are coming, and go. If you do not have a car, see getting your pet to the vet.
Lowering the risk
Most road accidents trace back to a pet getting loose. Keep dogs leashed near roads, check that gates and fences are secure, and make sure your pet is microchipped and wearing ID, so a pet that does get out can be identified fast. If a pet bolts after a scare, see lost pet in Pattaya.
Frequently asked
My pet was hit but seems okay - does it still need a vet?
Yes. A pet can seem normal after being hit and still have internal bleeding, a bruised lung, a fracture or delayed shock. Any pet hit by a vehicle should be seen by a vet promptly, even without a visible wound.
How do I move an injured pet safely?
Move it as little as possible. Support the whole body - slide a larger dog onto a board or blanket stretcher, carry a small pet supporting it fully - and keep it warm, still and calm. Approach slowly, as a hurt pet may bite in shock.
How can I reduce the risk of a road accident?
Keep dogs leashed near traffic, secure gates and fences so pets cannot get loose, and keep your pet microchipped and wearing ID. Most road accidents start with a pet escaping.