Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of traumatic injury and death in outdoor cats, and several evidence-based interventions can substantially reduce the risk while maintaining outdoor access.
Road traffic accidents cause acute, often fatal, traumatic injury — one of the most severe acute welfare events affecting cats. Cats that survive road accidents frequently suffer severe orthopaedic injuries requiring emergency surgery, traumatic brain injury, chest trauma, and diaphragmatic hernia, with painful recovery periods. Prevention is strongly preferable to treatment from a welfare perspective. Night confinement is the single most effective measure, as the combination of reduced visibility and cat activity patterns means most accidents occur at night. High-visibility collars, neutering (which reduces risk-taking territorial roaming in males), and awareness of local road characteristics all contribute to risk reduction. Microchipping ensures prompt owner notification and decision-making for accident victims.