What Pet Medical Records Should You Keep? A Checklist for Dog and Cat Owners

You do not need to keep every receipt and reminder postcard. But a handful of documents come up again and again, and they are hard to replace at the moment someone asks for them. This checklist covers what to keep and why.

It is part of our complete guide to pet health records.

Keep these permanently

• Rabies vaccination certificate. Boarders, groomers, airlines, and licensing offices ask for it more than any other document.
• Full vaccination history. Vaccine names, dates, and due dates. A late dose is easier to sort out when the history is clear; ask your vet what schedule fits your pet.
• Microchip details. The chip number, the registry, and the login for it. Registration is what connects the number to you, and the AVMA advises keeping your contact information current.
• Diagnoses and chronic conditions. Anything ongoing, with dates and the treating vet.
• Surgery and procedure records. Including anesthesia notes and dental work.
• Allergy and reaction notes. Foods, medications, and vaccines your pet has reacted to.
• Lab and imaging results. Baselines make later changes meaningful.

Keep while they are current

• Active medications and preventives: dose, frequency, and the prescriber. See the medication tracker guide.
• Current diet and supplements.
• Insurance policy details and claim records.
• Emergency contacts, including your regular vet and the nearest 24-hour clinic.

Usually safe to let go

Routine appointment reminders and duplicate copies of a record you already have in your master file. When in doubt, scan it rather than discard it.

Where to keep them

Choose one primary place and a backup. Whatever you choose, keep a one-page summary you can hand over quickly. See the best way to store your pet's health records. If a clinic holds a record you do not have, request a copy.

Authoritative resources

• AVMA: Microchips reunite pets with families
• AVMA Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics

Frequently asked questions