Is it normal to take time off of work when a pet dies?
Posted by LakashY@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 176 comments
I am a mid-30s U.S. citizen. I am curious from other U.S.-ers if it is normal to take a day off or two (and which state you are from) and with other countries if this would be normal (and which country and further details you care to give).
By company policy, I cannot take any time off without pay, and I am afforded 80 hrs/yr. So I have to earn every single bit of time I am not literally inside the building at work. I have had more flexibility or more paid time off at other jobs. I know other get no paid time off but can choose to miss work without pay or have some else take their shift and also not be fired.
caffiend98@reddit
I took a day off when mine died. My company's PTO practices are pretty loose. But I didn't say, "I need time off to grieve my pet," I just called in sick. They don't need the details.
If you have the time, it's yours to use as you see fit.
IMakeOkVideosOk@reddit
Ours has pet bereavement… it’s only 1 day, but at least they offer something
SnooChipmunks2079@reddit
My work has human bereavement leave. I tried to take just a day to go to my father-in-law’s services.
What a horror show. It’s the same workflow as going on leave of absence for an extended period of time and they had no idea what to do.
I’d just take a personal day if I had it to do again.
Taftimus@reddit
At my company bereavement covers pets as well
SaltedSnailSurviving@reddit
It is normal, but I personally would not risk telling my employer that because I could 100% see a shitty manager on a power trip determining it "not an emergency".
MerryWannaRedux@reddit
Sadly, many people have no sympathy for animal owners whose pets have died, especially cats.
Utaneus@reddit
Probably because cats are selfish pieces of shit that don't give a fuck about you and I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WAS SO IMPORTANT FOR MY WIFE TO HAVE TWO OF THEM IN OUR FUCKIN HOUSE!
OGMom2022@reddit
Somebody’s having big feelings 😂
jesuspoopmonster@reddit
I let a stray cat live with me for a month and he was very affectionate. Maybe cats don't like you because you are an asshole
Mysterious-Art8838@reddit
Trust me they like you even less than you like them.
Utaneus@reddit
I actually don't think that's true. My wife hates it that the cats are more affectionate toward me. Maybe that whole "negging" thing from pickup artists has something to it. But really the cats always want to cuddle with me when all I want is a goddamn moment to myself.
Appropriate-Food1757@reddit
lol yes! Fuck them cats
PikaPonderosa@reddit
Simmer down, Mr. Dawson.
Appropriate-Food1757@reddit
I kid, I respect them. They are psychos, but I respect it.
No-Profession422@reddit
🤣🤣
MonicaBWQ@reddit
Sounds like you are having a lovely evening😂.
_LoveTheRain@reddit
😳
KuChiPractitioner@reddit
Bros traumatized
MyFace_UrAss_LetsGo@reddit
Geez lol.
majinspy@reddit
I hate to say it, but this is one of those things that changes as one goes up in echelons in the work force. I'm not able to be replaced in 5 minutes, so I can stand up to my boss who is less likely to need to be stood up to.
I get it, I'm weird with having cats and no kids. I didn't tell him that I spent $5000 (in vain) to save a previous cat. I did tell him that if one of my two cats that I have now becomes ill, they're getting taken directly to the renowned small-animal hospital in at LSU in Baton Rouge.
He looked at me funny but he didn't say anything. People with kids take off all the time for this, that, and the other thing. Once every X years, I'm taking off out of the blue if I need to.
Ms-Metal@reddit
100% agree with us. I was a salary professional every time it happened and my jobs have usually sent flowers to my home and have been very understanding and caring and have always told me to take time off even though I usually don't cuz I like to stay busy so I don't dwell on it. But yeah if I was an hourly minimum wage worker, I doubt that I would have the same leverage or the same level of understanding. I mean I don't even consider it leverage I've never asked for it, it's just that at that level, people care about you and their understanding, they appreciate all the extra time you put in over the years, so it's a time when they've always done the right thing by me.
hitometootoo@reddit
I made the mistake of telling a boss that and I needed a day or two off. He looked at me as if I had 4 eyes and said that's not an emergency. I told him I'm still taking the time off whether he likes it or not.
Thankfully I didn't need the job and could quit whenever I wanted to so I wasn't going to take that from him especially since I never missed a day of work up until that point.
Either way, I took my time off and told myself I would never talk so much about my personal life with my employer again. They don't need to know so much about my going ons.
TheBimpo@reddit
U.S.-ers?
It’s pretty normal to only be allowed to take earned leave. It’s also normal to take unpaid time. It just depends on the company.
RupeThereItIs@reddit
Hello fellow kids
Jwkaoc@reddit
Ingloriousbastards3fingers.png
ClickClick_Boom@reddit
I get the impression it's not uncommon for people to have to give a reason for taking PTO. Which is nuts to me and I've never had that requirement. If I did I'd put down "nunya"
ChuushaHime@reddit
My guess is that at the professional level most managers don't care, but the platform through which employees request PTO asks for a reason as part of the default software interface. That's the case at my employer; we request PTO through an HR web platform, and there's a write-in box for the reason. But you can literally write in "PTO" as the reason and they'll still approve it unless there's some extenuating circumstance.
Meattyloaf@reddit
I had a boss who wanted an explanation for why I was using a sick day. I gave a pretty detailed description of what I was dealing with, ie stomach bug. Lets just say that I wasn't asked to provide reasoning anymore.
AliMcGraw@reddit
I put "life maintenance day."
They don't need to know I'm maintaining my lungs by coughing out all the mucus.
hugemessanon@reddit
My last boss was up my ass when i didn’t go into work and expected me to tell her every symptom i was experiencing. And then she would give me “advice”. I was too much of a people pleaser to tell her no.
Wadsworth_McStumpy@reddit
No, it's not normal to take time off when a pet dies. It is pretty normal to call in sick that day. There's really no need to share too much of your private life with your employer.
RightYouAreKen1@reddit
I absolutely have each time.
MeowMeow_77@reddit
I claimed a close family member died, because they did. 😢
TricksyGoose@reddit
Yup. I just said "death in the family" and didn't elaborate. It's none of their business.
pippintook24@reddit
I wish I could have gotten away tith that with my boss. but she is my BIL's on/off girlfriend/bsby momma/situationship, and she knew the death in the family was my cat.
Mysterious-Art8838@reddit
Preach.
DonkeyKong694NE1@reddit
Whatever you do don’t say it was a pet because not everyone gets it
CommercialExotic2038@reddit
Me too.
rawbface@reddit
I did. I left work early on Wednesday. We put her down Thursday afternoon, and I took off on Friday to grieve.
nebraskajone@reddit
Never even heard of that.
jesuspoopmonster@reddit
I took time off each time one of by bunnies died. I was wrecked and useless. Plus I stayed up with one until 4am until he passed and had to take him to get cremated the next day.
ManateeFlamingo@reddit
I absolutely called out when we had to put our dog down last year. I was too wrecked to function.
ViperMom149@reddit
My fiancé got sent home from work when they found out his dog died the previous night. They told him to take a couple of days.
SippsMccree@reddit
As pets replace actual children more and more it'll become more common I've no doubt
mrsredfast@reddit
I didn’t but I did get sent home because I cried every time someone asked about him. Luckily I worked as a therapist and everyone was kind about it.
Beagalltach@reddit
My company provides 1 day off for pet deaths (more can be taken but it comes from your PTO)
Ok_Still_3571@reddit
I have. My boss was very understanding, too.
Tacoshortage@reddit
I have never seen anyone do that in 55 years but I'm sure it occasionally happens.
KrazySunshine@reddit
I have. I used PTO. My boss knew why I took off, it was fine. PTO could be used for any reason
travelinmatt76@reddit
I called in and told my supervisor that my dog died and he said ok, yes you have a stomach virus
Yelloweggs@reddit
I was very fortunate to have a manager who was very sympathetic when my last dog died. She let me leave work early in a rush when my partner texted and we decided it was time to put our dog down. She texted me later in the day saying I didn't have to come in the next day.
MentalChance4368@reddit
I have sick and vacation time but have to put it in a week in advance. Anything else is considered unplanned. Basically it counts the same matter how it's used. I technically don't have to give an explanation. However I have to use my unplanned time off.
BreakfastBeerz@reddit
I've never heard of someone taking a day off for a pet death.
Vachic09@reddit
It varies depending upon what company or location you work for. Some won't let you take an unscheduled day off for that and some will let you take a day to get yourself together. It's not unusual for someone to request the whole day off if they're euthanizing a pet.
Some people find it easier to stay busy initially and some need time off to decompress.
CeeCee123456789@reddit
Yes. I would say that I am not feeling well, which would be true. That is what sick days are for.
Izmeralda@reddit
Currently live in Florida.
My cat died while I was serving jury duty. She died on the evening of the second day of my jury duty. The next morning, I let the court know what happened, and they dismissed me, thankfully. I was a mess. I took the rest of the week off work. I guess I would have just sucked it up it they didn't dismiss me, but I'm so thankful they did.
Roborana@reddit
I have taken vacation time when I've had to take the pet to be euthanized but I haven't taken time off for grieving. I can't think of any time when my employees have taken time to grieve their pets but it's possible they have. They would have used vacation or sick time for it. It's not an approved use of sick time but I don't ask for a doctor's note most of the time.
Quirky-Invite7664@reddit
I just called out sick. It’s a mental health day.
FreeKevinBrown@reddit
A day or two, week at max. Anything longer than a week you're probably pushing the sympathy others have for you.
hail_to_the_beef@reddit
When a pet passes from old, typically you need to take time off to handle bringing the pet to the vet, handling the end of life process which usually includes euthanasia. I take the time off to put my pet to rest, to cry and grieve, and get through losing a close member of the family.
kae0603@reddit
I never took time off for a pet.
Fun_Machine7346@reddit
Who's pet?
Curious-Cranberry-27@reddit
I did, but I have a generous time off policy
BigBlaisanGirl@reddit
Yes. It's a family member.
bloobityblu@reddit
Not for that specific official reason.
Taking the day off, if your work allows personal or sick days, would be 100% normal, but generally most employers won't recognize a pet death as the same as a death in the family, at least not formally.
So yeah I'd think any reasonable person who's lost a pet would sympathize, including employers, but you would just be taking a sick day or personal day.
It would be nice if that were more standard as a legitimate reason to take leave, though.
Klutzy-Comment6897@reddit
In my opinion no.
MarquetteXTX2@reddit
I’ve never heard of this but if u ask your boss im pretty sure they will let u
BizarroMax@reddit
No. Not for older people at least. I’m 50, it would never occur to me.
Ms-Metal@reddit
I got 10 years on you and it's completely normal to me and every job I've ever had has sent flowers when it's when it's happened along with telling me to take as much time as I needed off the books. That said, I do come from a salaried professional background so employees are generally treated as less disposable than in minimum wage hourly worker jobs. I think it's happened at three different companies and each one did the same thing, was very understanding, sent flowers to our home, plus the last time, I wasn't working but my husband was and also a salaried professional employee and his boss sent flowers to us and also told them to take as much time as he needed. He's also older than me. So maybe you have an encountered it but it's extremely normal amongst professional workers.
LastCookie3448@reddit
I’m 50, I did once, and I know many others who have. I worked through everything except one day with my heartdog, one day when my brother chose to leave this Earth. Aside from thaf, I work thru it all. That’s how much I loved that dog.
Thelonius16@reddit
On the other side of the coin, Reddit employees get a week off to bond with a new pet.
That’s not a normal benefit.
parvoqueen@reddit
It seems pretty normal or at least not uncommon. That being said, since animals can be humanely euthanized, pet owners can often schedule euthanasia for time they already had off work, or after work hours. Unlike with human hospice, where you never really know when the end is going to come. All of that goes out the window for accidents and acute illness, of course. Where I'm from, nobody would bat an eye at somebody taking a few days off to mourn a lost pet, and they'd probably get a sympathy card passed around the office, too.
Though tbf I am a veterinarian so my references could be a bit skewed. 🤷🏼♀️
Ms-Metal@reddit
I'm not a veterinarian but my job has always sent me flowers when it's happened. Multiple jobs over the years but all of them were salaried professional positions, so I think it's a little different than being a fry cook at McDonald's. Every job I've ever had though has been super understanding! They sent the same kind of flowers I got when my parents died or my in-laws died nobody has ever made me take PTO or vacation time, but in all honesty I tend to not take the time off anyway because I prefer to work so that my mind is focused on other things. I don't think your experience is that skewed by being a vet. Obviously if you're a minimum wage hourly employee, the things might be different. Employees are seen as far more expendable in those positions than they are in highly paid / highly specialized fields.
Fun-Yellow-6576@reddit
If your company has Paid Time Off, a person can generally use it for whatever reason they want. That being said, I had a male employee break down in tears because his cat had passed away. He asked to leave and I said sure, go home. Six months later he was being considered for a promotion and several of the team were against his promotion because “he had to go home because his cat died” and they didn’t think he was up to the added responsibility.
Ms-Metal@reddit
That's awful! That's crazy the caring and loving your family member who is gone is seen as a detriment. I've been so lucky that I've always been a salaried professional, so usually my job would send me flowers when it happened and tell me to take all the time I needed. Truth be told I prefer to work so that I stay busy & not think about it but people deal with things differently and I think it's absolutely horrible that showing that you're a loving human being is seen as a detriment in consideration of a promotion! I think a manager who cares about people is always a plus.
hugemessanon@reddit
My neighbor took 3 days off after his dog died. He works for the post office
fook75@reddit
I have in the past when I worked off farm. Now I can't because if I do, a lot of animals don't ear.
Ms-Metal@reddit
I've been a salaried employee for eons, so that kind of thing is handled very loosely and literally every time it's happened in my life, my boss has always told me to take a couple days off. They don't really count the time because when your salary, you're basically working whenever you need to work so on some projects you might work 12 hour days, but I suspect even if you're hourly, you're racking up PTO and you can take time off that way.
That said there have been times where I haven't done it. Just because I prefer to stay busy so that my mind doesn't focus on the loss. That was one time though when my job required expensive travel meaning pretty much every week for a decade and I did at that time cancel my client and stayed home, I didn't want my husband to be home alone with me not easily accessible. But when I didn't travel I usually worked anyway just to keep busy. Anyway, I've also had jobs send flowers, my boss has usually sent me flowers when it's happened, so in general in my experience they treated like the death of a loved one which is what it actually is🥰
Reasonable-Company71@reddit
When I was a manager I've had someone call out because their dog got run over, they called out again because they had take it to get cremated and they called out again because they had to go pick up the ashes.
AtrumAequitas@reddit
I would, you do what you need to do, seriously, we can’t know your struggles in 1 paragraph.
CosyBeluga@reddit
Yup
bijoux247@reddit
I assume I'll need about a week. It'll be PTO. No one will bat an eye. I may even get flowers from work. California.
j_tonks@reddit
My company actually gives us a day of bereavement pay for death of a pet. But even before I worked for this place, my answer would have been yes. I skipped a day of high school my junior year because I spent the whole night consoling my dying cat on his last day. And when my current cat dies, I'm going to be devastated, so I'll be using that bereavement day and probably some PTO on top of it.
ChocolatePain@reddit
I would say so. My job offers specific bereavement time off, which includes pets.
MaleficentCoconut594@reddit
I did
A good boss (like mine) would say just take the day don’t worry about using PTO. Our dog (passed 4yrs ago) was our first “kid”. I’ve lost dogs before while growing up, and it’s sad, but my wife and I’s first dog….oof. Hit us like we had lost a child. Boss let me take 2 days, and then I took PTO for his cremation the following week
Sea-Bill78@reddit
Sick day…
eugenesbluegenes@reddit
U.S.ers?
Ok_Orchid1004@reddit
No it’s not. And there should be zero “bereavement” pay for a pet dying. Only vacation time if you have it available and the timing works for the company.
smileysarah267@reddit
It depends. My one coworker had to put her dog down in the morning and her manager still made her come in that afternoon.
DarwinGhoti@reddit
I took about three days when my boy passed, and it wasn’t enough time.
Otherwise-OhWell@reddit
I have and fuck anyone who says you shouldn't.
I'm sorry for your loss.
brian11e3@reddit
My wife took a sick day off work when Mr. Bummbles, our 18 year old cat, passed away.
Minute-Frame-8060@reddit
18 years is a long time to spend with someone!
LastCookie3448@reddit
That’s a lifetime. Big loss. 😍
Revolutionary-Ad3648@reddit
Cali here. I would 100% need to not be at work if I lost my boy. My boss took 2 days off after her loyal pup passed. The same boss sent me and my family flowers after a major leg surgery for my dog.
Dogs are not extended family. They're adopted kin.
Minute-Frame-8060@reddit
I would, but not part of any policy that allows a bereavement day or 2 (seriously I think my company's policy is 3 days for immediate (HUMAN) family!). I'd just use PTO.
Jasnah_Sedai@reddit
I do. Our pets seem to die or get sick within an hour of my shift starting. I’ll even leave work to come home to bury a pet and comfort my kids if the pet dies while I’m at work, then come back to work if possible. (We generally have quite a few short-lived pets like rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, etc, which is why it happens so often for us.). But I use PTO or sick leave if I have it and keep the reason to myself. I have a union government job.
ohsummerdawn@reddit
You dont have to give a detailed explanation as to why youre taking pto. My last 2 dogs to leave me had to be put to sleep due to cancer and I took time off to do that and bury them back at the house. I just called my boss the evening before and told him I had to come in at noon and that was that.
Ive never taken a whole day off when a pet died, because I usually knew it was on the way and was mentally prepared to compartmentalize the mourning until I got back home.
WellWellWellthennow@reddit
I'm sure people do all the time, but they don't always say the real reason why
Wolfie_Ecstasy@reddit
My BOSS took two days when their cat died a few months ago.
Ill_Description_3311@reddit
I've had managers tell me to take the day off when a pet dies, but I like to work when I'm grieving. It takes the edge off.
LastCookie3448@reddit
Same. I had to work for all but one. One dog, my heart, I had to take a day. Could.not.stop.crying.
Mysterious-Art8838@reddit
Same. Soul dog died in an accident at 16. I stopped eating and laid in bed watching Will Ferrell movies for five full days.
_LoveTheRain@reddit
🫂
crispyrhetoric1@reddit
I took a day off. And the finance guy made me take a vacation day. He wouldn’t let me use bereavement
New_Acanthaceae7718@reddit
Yes, it is completely normal. But dont tell your boss about your pet. Just tell him you are sick. May his soul rest in peace
Wild_Replacement5880@reddit
It's not unusual. I've had to take the day to bury an unusually large dog. My wife just couldn't have done it herself.
jrhawk42@reddit
It's not recognized as bereavement for most employers that offer it, but I do think it's normal.
also your job is horrible. 2 weeks paid, and that's the most you can take even unpaid?
Endy0816@reddit
We get a day via company policy.
UltraShadowArbiter@reddit
The place I work at is pretty lax when it comes to calling off. Especially if you're only calling off for a single day, and aren't regularly calling off.
I called off the day that my cat had to be put down. I told them that I had to put my cat down that morning (I work second) and I needed the day to recover.
Saltpork545@reddit
I have taken a couple of days and blamed it on a stomach bug. It wasn't questioned as I almost never take sick leave and have been at my company long enough to have 7ish weeks off a year and a good manager. So it's just like 'Hope you don't spend it all on the toilet, good luck'.
OldDogWithOldTricks@reddit
I might.
dangerousfeather@reddit
I did once, and just shared that I’d lost a family member. No details.
My next job, the boss knew me too well; I couldn’t hide it. He knew I was putting my cat down. He told me not to come in the next day.
So, not only is it normal for some people, there are even decent bosses who encourage bereavement for pets.
I still don’t recommend sharing that it’s a pet unless it’s a unique situation. But yeah, when you lose a family member, you may need time off to grieve. The family member being fuzzy doesn’t change that.
JohnHenryMillerTime@reddit
Not in the legal sense but any boss worth their salt would allow it.
Rubycon_@reddit
Absolutely. Just say you're sick if you're worried
Ok_Buy_9703@reddit
My work sick day includes mental health and Dr note isn't required unless you take more than 3 days in a row. So the good ol don't ask, don't tell applies...
confusedrabbit247@reddit
You don't get specific grief days for that if that's what you mean but plenty of people use their time off for that. For example we had to put our dog down in December. It lasted until the early hours of the morning and I work a day job and overnight. I asked my boss for the day job if I could have that time off since I hadn't slept and she graciously gave it to me, but I went in to my overnight job. I was crying a lot but it's not a big deal.
hawkeyegrad96@reddit
No. Just no
Appropriate-Food1757@reddit
Yes. And when I’m in charge I give them some days off the books.
FlamingBagOfPoop@reddit
I did the day she left us. It was inevitable and we saw it kind of coming. I was already off the following day to travel for a family wedding.
AZJHawk@reddit
I’ve always done it on Saturday. The one time our pet decided to see himself out before we could take him to the vet, I was on paternity leave, so I’ve never taken a day off for it.
Having said that I have overseen several employees, and I’ve never had a problem giving them the day off to take care of it, with pay, and without burning a vacation day. I’m a pet owner. I know how hard it can be.
kyrokip@reddit
I would only take off if I had to get her put down quickly. Got hit by a car, attacked, etc. If they die natutally or I play on euthanasia, I would not take off work.
Ahtnamas555@reddit
I would. But it wasn't normal growing up.
TW: detailed pet death || When I was in middle school, around age 13, I accidentally killed my cat. I went out through the detached garage to feed the dogs in the morning before school, so when I came back, I closed the garage door and went to finish getting ready for school. Later got in the car to go to school and my mom saw the cat on the ground after opening the garage to leave. Cat had crawled on top of the garage door while it was open and got squished on the way down when I hit the button to close the door.||
I still went to school that day, so did my younger sibling, and both parents went to work. The question of going to school/ work never came up. The world was just a bit more callous, I think. I'm sure other families probably would have called in and kept the kids home for the day. Conversely, the world kept on going as normal and that kept me distracted.
lfxlPassionz@reddit
Yes, it's very normal to take time off for that. Michigan. Even here where we are known to have a terrible work life balance.
Your job sounds terrible. I hope they at least give you a high wage. If they aren't giving you a really, really high wage, I would recommend looking for other work. You should be able to get time off for anything you feel you need to personally.
Hour_Badger2700@reddit
My wife took a week off before we put our cat with a brain tumor down. I should have.
Lothar_Ecklord@reddit
I’ve worked mostly salaried positions in the US (mostly New York), and the PTO policies are not restrictive enough for me to care. If I need a (paid) sick day, I take one. Whether that’s actual viral/fungal/bacterial/surgery or if I just need a day - I’ve always treated them the same. If I needed to take a day for a pet, I wouldn’t think twice about it.
Hourly jobs… the ones I’ve had basically say to find coverage and do as you want - I had weeks where none of the hours I worked were as scheduled, but I still got OT ;)
12B88M@reddit
No.
roumonada@reddit
Not for men. Unless overly sensitive
Creepy_Mammoth_7076@reddit
In my industry (construction) no .. but I would if something happened to my dog .. we have people bragging about never taking a day off in 20 years .. not me .. (currently home with a broken back 2 herniated discs , nerve damage, )
El_gato_picante@reddit
In 2026 yes. I wouldn’t think you were being ridiculous.
Adorable_Dust3799@reddit
No, but my kids do anyway. They're not required to list a reason, they just say they're not coming in. Everyone in California gets a few sick days, even part timers, as long as you've been with the company for 30 days.
creatyvechaos@reddit
If my work doesn't let me then lmfao I'm claiming sick pay and looking for another job. Only had one issue though.
somecow@reddit
I don’t really get time off for anything, and have to provide documentation if I do. But fuck that. I’m taking off. What are they gonna do, fire me? Don’t threaten me with a good time.
KellyAnn3106@reddit
When I had to put a dog down due to an unexpected injury, I called out for several days because i was a wreck. When I had to put a dog down for terminal cancer, I booked a week of PTO when I scheduled that last vet appointment.
My current dog is a senior and starting to decline. When it's his time, I'll take the time I need away from work.
DinosaurAI@reddit
Absolutely. And every time. And if my staff have a pet death (or any issue), I encourage them to just tell me the truth and I'll give them the time off or allow them to make it up if they want to keep their leave hours. I also have an Anal Glaucoma Call Out policy for my team. 🤷🏻♀️ Sometimes it's a really nice day and you just can't see your ass coming in to work.
nickheathjared@reddit
I would take the time I need to quit sobbing, yes. When I call out sick I don’t tell them I’m sick. I say I’m using a sick day. Taking care of your mental health matters.
nope-its@reddit
Yes it’s normal.
My husband’s company gave him 4 days off for bereavement when our dog died (the rest of the week). This is not normal.
comrade_zerox@reddit
I would have if I could have afforded to take the time off
Number-2-Sis@reddit
A pet dying is a family emergency and it is normal to take time of for family emergencies.
pacododo@reddit
My husband's company gives paid pet bereavement.
Pitiable-Crescendo@reddit
I probably will win my cat's time comes
fakesaucisse@reddit
When my last cat died I showed up to a meeting the next morning and during the "hows everyone doing today?" round robin I burst into tears and said my cat died. Everyone on my team had met my cat many times as he loved being on camera during meetings. I was told to take the day off and not worry about it, so I did.
artisunoo@reddit
I’ve taken time off if my pet is just sick, absolutely would for a death. My manager doesn’t have to, and won’t know. As far as they’re concerned it personal business. My pets are far too important to stay at work and if my manager wants to fight it they can watch me cry all day and get nothing done
MarbleousMel@reddit
I could have, and planned to, but I decided instead on the very unhealthy coping mechanism of burying myself in work. I lost two in 2021 and one in 2025. Cancer sucks. I was on a call with my boss when one of my cats had a seizure. He was fine with me hanging up and immediately taking her to the vet.
Lower_Kick268@reddit
Yeah if you wanna take a sick day, when i was in high school my bunny died and i took a day off
Ewovalenz@reddit
I absolutely have and I don’t think it’s uncommon. It varies by company, but when I had to they coded it as sick time as opposed to taking from my normal accrued PTO.
Emergency-Economy654@reddit
I 1000% will need to take time off when my dog eventually passes. That’s my boy.
LastCookie3448@reddit
Now I have, “You’re my boy, Blue!”…. 😆😂
pizzaerry2days@reddit
I just say sick leave. They are legally unable to ask me why or what for. It’s that simple. I absolutely have before
lost_nurse602@reddit
My manager and coworker have taken time off when their pets have died. I use every hour of my time off on sick kids. So I would continue to work. I couldn’t even take time off work when I was having a miscarriage. My patients will just have to deal with their nursing crying while I set up medications.
LastCookie3448@reddit
I had to take a day when my heartdog died. I was wrecked. I grieved him harder than I grieved some people who shared by DNA. I’d give almost anything to have him back. Anything.
H2Ospecialist@reddit
Everywhere I've worked let's you use your PTO however you want. I've never had to give a reason. I took time off when two of my dogs died days apart. I just said, "I had a personal matter and need to use some of my PTO"
Rockglen@reddit
I took a day off after my cat died. I think it should be understood by any manager that pets are members of the family.
Dealing with a death can be emotionally draining. Plus even if you're doing ok, your other family members may be mourning.
OK_Stop_Already@reddit
my company offers bereavement for pets, so it seems more normal nowadays
Euphoric-Bat7582@reddit
Just depends on how important the hours are to you.
ljculver64@reddit
Ive taken off. Atleast the first day, sometimes 2....I dont know anyone who wouldn't understand that. I never considered the money part.
sageamericanidiot@reddit
I have. Twice. I just called in sick and used my PTO. I would have taken the days without pay if I didn't have the PTO.
jessper17@reddit
My current company gives one day of bereavement time for the death of a pet. In the past I’ve just used a regular vacation day.
affectionateanarchy8@reddit
I would
AssistanceDry7123@reddit
It really depends on your employer. At the very least you child call in sick and not provide a reason (they can't ask). Some places might fire you if they found out.
I've been fortunate to work for companies where they didn't mind if I used a vacation day after a pet passed.
ATLUTD030517@reddit
We get one day of pet bereavement(provided it's a dog or cat).
PowerAndControl@reddit
If you want to take time off burn a holiday or sick day for it and take the time off. You don’t need to tell your employer more than that (although holidays should typically be given notice of in advance, so probably best to burn a sick day).
To answer your question if it’s “normal” I would lean heavily towards “no.” But it’s your life and your pet and if you feel the need to do that, do it, I say.
Osric250@reddit
Really that all depends on your company and managers. I have worked for companies that are much more flexible with time, both PTO and sick time, as well as ones that are completely by the book no exceptions.
My current field tends to be quite accommodating as I also spend a good amount of time on call and so will work extra time and hours and I always have my work done so they don't care.
As for pets dying most companies won't give you bereavement for it, but won't mind if you take emergency leave or sick days to deal with it. For hourly workers most have flexible schedules as long as you get someone to cover your shift.
Ok_Nectarine_4528@reddit
I do. Sick time.
Trick_Owl8261@reddit
I wouldn’t say it’s normal but I also don’t think it’s necessarily uncommon. I have a lot of coworkers who don’t have kids but rather “fur babies.” I sometimes resent the comparison between pets and human children, but I try to understand their perspective. Personally I would not take time off when a pet dies.
IHaveALittleNeck@reddit
I was allowed to leave early when my dog had a seizure.
shelwood46@reddit
Most places I worked had personal days, which you could take one at a time and not really give a reason. There was absolutely never an official policy that gave time off for bereavement unless it was someone in your immediate family (human only). US, midwest & northeast.
ClickClick_Boom@reddit
It's not "normal" but it's not unheard of.
FerricDonkey@reddit
Wouldn't surprise me if someone did or did not.
pleased_to_yeet_you@reddit
I took a couple days when I put my dog down. The day of and the day after. If your employer has a problem with that, you should really try to find another job, that's not a place that will be good for your mental or physical health.
bearamongus19@reddit
I have and I allow my staff to as well
LL8844773@reddit
Yes. I would treat this as family bereavement
dobie_dobes@reddit
I absolutely did. There was no way I could work.
itspicassobaby@reddit
I've got a pretty generous PTO plan compared to many others (232 hours per year) but yes, I took a few days when we had to put my dog down. That was an absolutely terrible choice to have to make.
Slight_Manufacturer6@reddit
No
Old_Goat_Ninja@reddit
I’ve never done so but I have coworkers that have.