When a beloved pet passes away, should we let our regular veterinarian know?
I personally chose to inform my vet and express my gratitude. One reason was that my cat had been undergoing treatment and receiving IV fluids at home, so I needed to return the unused fluids and needles to the clinic.
I appreciate the opportunity to thank my vet.
When I visited the clinic to return the IV equipment, the staff immediately sensed something had happened. The veterinarian and nurses came out to the reception area to meet me. I was able to talk briefly with them, let them know that Maro (my cat) had crossed the rainbow bridge, and thank them for all their care over the years.
I’m truly glad I took the opportunity to express my gratitude. If you’re unsure, I encourage you to visit your vet and thank them in person.
That said, if I hadn’t needed to return the IV equipment, I might never have gone to share the news. I had been debating whether it would be strange to visit just to say my pet had passed, or whether sending a letter might feel even more awkward.
Odd as it sounds, having the obligation to return the medical supplies turned out to be a blessing—it gave me the chance to say goodbye and thank them properly.
Related article: The regret I felt when returning the supplies
Do you inform your veterinarian when your pet passes away, or do you choose not to?
From what I’ve observed, many people around me do not inform their vet when their pet dies.
Most seem to feel it might be awkward to bring it up without a specific reason.
Of course, this may also depend on local customs or the atmosphere at your veterinary clinic.
When you don’t inform the vet
If you don’t let the clinic know, you’ll usually still receive the annual vaccination reminder.
When that letter arrives, many people say it hits them all over again—“That pet is no longer here…”
Some feel that this moment is unavoidable on the road of grief. Yet, at the same time, a few people have told me they feel a bittersweet sense of connection—like their pet is still linked to them in some way.
The reminder usually comes only once
In most cases, the clinic sends that vaccination notice just once after a pet has passed.
Perhaps the staff senses what happened and updates their records accordingly.
In my own case, I had already informed them about my cat’s passing, so I never received a reminder.
Part of me had actually looked forward to that time of year, hoping—just by chance—that the notice might still arrive. But my clinic seems to have been very thorough with their paperwork, and no such “mistake” ever happened.
Who Do You Tell When Your Pet Passes Away?
Deciding who to inform when a pet passes away can be a surprisingly difficult question.
Friends, coworkers, your veterinarian…
The answer is different for everyone.
Personally, I haven’t told many people.
There are still quite a few who probably think my pet is still alive.
Some people share the news on social media, while others send emails or personal messages.
Related article: Tips for Announcing a Pet’s Passing on Social Media
From what I’ve seen, many of my customers prefer not to tell anyone at all.
In fact, some only open up for the first time when they talk to me about it.
Talking to someone can bring relief and emotional support.
But at the same time, those conversations can sometimes be hurtful—depending on the other person’s reaction.
Because everyone has different values and perspectives on pet loss, these situations can be tricky.
Still, I hope you’ll consider not carrying the burden alone, and allow yourself to be supported by someone you trust.
