How to tell your boss you need time off after your pet dies
Keep it short and specific: say your pet has died, ask for a set amount of time (usually a day or two, or a day working from home) and mention how urgent work will be covered. You don't need to justify the bond. Few workplaces have a policy, as only 11%[1] of employers offer paid pet loss leave, but most managers say yes to a clear request.
By the Pet Loss Grief Support Resources editorial team · Updated September 24, 2026 · 5 min read · Sources
- Ready-to-send email and text templates
- Options when there's no pet bereavement policy
- How to get through the first days back
The short answer
Can you take time off work when your pet dies?
Usually, yes, though often not as formal bereavement leave. Most people use a personal day, vacation, sick leave or a day working from home, arranged directly with their manager. Dedicated pet bereavement leave exists but is rare: AbsenceSoft found only 11%[1] of employers offer it paid.
The need is real. In the RSPCA's pet bereavement survey, 92%[2] of employed owners said pet loss affected them at work, yet 28.4%[3] couldn't take any time off. Trying to work through the first raw days often means poor sleep, mistakes and crying in the bathroom. A day or two away is usually better for you and for the work. Your manager has very likely met this before: by our estimate, at least 5.6 million pet dogs[4] die in the US each year, our calculation from dog-owning households and average lifespan.
The conversation
What should you say to your boss?
Three parts: what happened, what you need and how work will be handled. Skip the justification. "She was 14 and like family to me" is fine to add if you want, but you don't owe anyone proof of how much it hurts.
- What happened, in one sentence. "My dog died last night."
- A specific ask. "I'd like to take tomorrow off," or "Could I work from home on Thursday and Friday?"
- The cover plan. "Sam can handle the client call, and I've moved the report to Monday."
- A return point. "I'll be back in on Monday."
Being specific makes it easier to say yes. "I need some time" invites a negotiation; "I need Friday" gets an answer. If your pet is still alive but the goodbye is coming, our guide to preparing a support plan covers giving work a heads-up in advance.
Copy and adapt
What's a good email or text to send?
Replace the brackets and send. If you'd rather talk, the same structure works on the phone. If you want help with the wording, you can send us a note and we'll email a version to fit your situation.
No policy?
What if your workplace has no pet bereavement policy?
- Personal or vacation days. The simplest route, and nobody needs to approve the reason.
- Sick leave. Some employers allow it for mental health or acute distress; check your handbook.
- A work-from-home day. Many people find being home, away from colleagues, is what they most need.
- A shift swap if you work rotas; colleagues who have pets are often glad to help.
- Unpaid leave for a day, if nothing else is left.
- Your employee assistance program, which usually offers free, confidential grief counseling.
It's worth asking even without a policy. In the UK, Acas guidance on bereavement leave says employers can still choose to give time off where no policy applies. Plenty of managers quietly give time, and the question itself tells HR there's a need. Our poll below asks readers how their workplace responded.
How did your workplace respond when your pet died?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
The return
How do you get through the first days back at work?
Expect it to be harder than you think, and plan for it. Concentration is often poor for weeks: in the RSPCA survey, 69.8% of bereaved owners had trouble concentrating and 65.9% had sleep problems[5]. Put important tasks in the morning, write lists and give yourself extra time for detailed work.
- Tell one trusted colleague, so someone knows if you need five minutes.
- Decide in advance what you'll say if someone asks: "My dog died last week. I'm OK, just a bit up and down."
- Keep a photo off your desk for now if it's too much, or on it if it helps.
- Take a walk at lunch; routine and fresh air steady grief.
If you're struggling weeks later, the grief check-in is a private two-minute way to see where you are, and a pet loss support group with evening meetings can fit around work. Free helplines, some open in the evening, are listed in our pet loss support resources guide. If grief ever brings thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 in the US or Canada, Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK or Ireland, Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or 1737 in New Zealand.
Free tool
Pet loss grief check-in
A private, two-minute check-in on how you're coping, with ideas that match where you are.
If it goes badly
What if your manager doesn't take it seriously?
Some will say the wrong thing; 34.5%[6] of bereaved owners in the RSPCA survey had been told "it's just a pet". Don't argue the value of your loss. Restate the practical request: "I understand. I'd still like to use a personal day tomorrow." If you're refused leave you're entitled to, raise it with HR calmly and in writing.
If the response hurts, that hurt is valid too. Our article on grieving a pet more than a person looks at why pet grief is so often misunderstood.
The bigger picture
Are more employers offering pet bereavement leave?
Slowly. Some companies led the way years ago, as SHRM reported: Kimpton Hotels offered 3 days[7] of paid pet bereavement leave, and pet insurer Trupanion offered 1 day[8]. Employees notice: in a Banfield survey, 73%[9] said they'd be more likely to accept a job from a company with pet-related benefits. In the RSPCA survey, 77.4%[10] of owners believe employers underestimate pet loss.
If you're in a position to suggest a policy, a day or two of paid leave, plus flexibility for a euthanasia appointment, is a common starting point. Our support services page covers the other kinds of help worth knowing about, local support pages show what exists near you, and the live poll results track how readers' workplaces responded.
Reader polls
What would you choose?
Vote anonymously and see how other readers answered. The results are live counts from people who visit this site, so they show real opinions, not a scientific sample.
How did your workplace respond when your pet died?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
Did you take time off work after your pet died?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
What was the hardest part of losing your pet?
Tap an answer to vote and see how others answered. Anonymous.
Questions people ask
Is it OK to call in sick when my pet dies?
Many people do, and acute grief can genuinely leave you unable to work. Check your handbook, as some employers limit sick leave to physical illness while others include mental health. A personal or vacation day avoids the question entirely. Being honest about the reason is usually received better than people expect.
How many days off should I ask for after my pet dies?
Most people ask for one to three days. Companies that offer pet bereavement leave commonly give one to three paid days. Ask for what you need: a day for a euthanasia appointment, a day after, or a couple of days working from home. You can always ask for more later.
Do I have to tell my boss why I need time off?
Usually not, if you're using vacation or personal days. That said, a brief honest reason tends to get a kinder, more flexible response, and it explains if you're quieter than usual when you're back. One sentence is enough: "My dog died and I need a day."
Is pet bereavement leave a legal right?
In most places, no. Bereavement leave laws generally cover human family members, and pet loss leave is usually a voluntary employer benefit. Check your contract and handbook, as some employers include it or allow flexible use of other leave. In practice, most people use personal days or vacation.
What if I break down at work after my pet died?
It happens, and most colleagues are kinder than you fear. Step away to a quiet spot, breathe slowly and come back when you're ready. If it keeps happening, consider a day working from home or a word with your manager. Your employee assistance program can also help.
Sources and our estimates
- [1] Only 11% of employers offer paid pet loss leave, according to an AbsenceSoft survey. AbsenceSoft — Understanding Pet Bereavement Leave and Its Importance to Today's Workforce, 2025.
- [2] 92% of employed respondents said pet loss affected them at work. RSPCA — Pet Loss Survey Results, 2026.
- [3] 28.4% of RSPCA survey respondents could not take time off work after their pet died. RSPCA — Pet Loss Survey Results, 2026.
- [4] At least about 5.6 million pet dogs likely die in the US each year (lower-bound style estimate using one dog per dog-owning household). Our estimate: US dog-owning households (71M) x 1 dog / US dog life expectancy (12.69 yrs). How we calculate.
- [5] After losing a pet, 72.6% lost their daily routine or sense of purpose, 69.8% had trouble concentrating and 65.9% had sleep problems. RSPCA — Pet Loss Survey Results, 2026.
- [6] 34.5% of bereaved pet owners were told 'it's just a pet'. RSPCA — Pet Loss Survey Results, 2026.
- [7] Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants offered 3 days of paid pet bereavement leave (SHRM, 2016). SHRM — Grieving a Pet's Death: Should Workers Get Time Off? (2016), 2016.
- [8] Pet insurer Trupanion offered 1 paid day of pet bereavement leave (SHRM, 2016). SHRM — Grieving a Pet's Death: Should Workers Get Time Off? (2016), 2016.
- [9] In Banfield's 2017 PAWrometer survey of 1,000 employees, 73% would be more likely to accept a job offer from a company with pet-related benefits; paid pet bereavement leave was among the benefits tested. Banfield Pet Hospital 2017 PAWrometer survey via PR Newswire, 2017.
- [10] 77.4% believe employers underestimate the impact of pet loss, and 71.8% would favour employers that support pet bereavement. RSPCA — Pet Loss Survey Results, 2026.
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