SMS Benchmarks for Veterinary Services

SMS benchmarks offer valuable insight into how veterinary services connect with pet owners and manage appointment reminders, follow ups, and urgent updates. In this blog, we explore the key SMS performance metrics that define communication in veterinary care.

Average Response Rate

The average response rate in veterinary services is 18 to 28 percent, reflecting how often pet owners reply when clinics send SMS updates or reminders.

Response rate is the proportion of delivered text messages that receive a reply, found by dividing the number of responses by the total successful sends.

In veterinary settings, this metric reveals how well practices are staying in touch with clients about appointment reminders, lab results, medication refills, or wellness check follow ups.

When response rates remain strong, communication is usually clearer and more reliable, which supports better continuity of care and smoother clinic workflows.

Average Opt-Out Rate

The average opt-out rate for veterinary services is 0.3 to 0.6 percent, which reflects a relatively loyal pet owner audience.

The opt-out rate shows the percentage of clients who reply STOP or otherwise remove themselves from your veterinary SMS list.

It is calculated by dividing the number of opt-outs by the number of successfully delivered text messages, then multiplying by one hundred.

In veterinary services, this metric highlights how well appointment reminders, wellness tips, and follow up messages match client expectations.

Monitoring opt-out rate helps clinics refine timing, frequency, and tone so communication supports long term trust with pet owners.

Average Click-Through Rate

The average click-through rate in veterinary services is 9–14% and shows how frequently pet owners tap links in SMS messages they receive.

This metric represents the percentage of delivered texts that generate at least one click on a tracked URL.

To work it out, divide the total number of link clicks by the total messages delivered successfully, then multiply that figure by 100.

In veterinary services, click-through rate reveals whether reminders, follow up care tips, wellness plans, and educational content feel relevant, helping clinics make sure their messaging supports better communication with clients.

Average Conversion Rate

The average conversion rate for veterinary services is 1.0–1.8%, which reflects how many people follow through after receiving a message about care, appointments, or pet health plans.

Conversion rate describes the share of recipients who complete a defined outcome, such as booking a visit, confirming a vaccination slot, or paying an invoice online, out of all delivered messages.

It is calculated by dividing the number of successful actions by the total number of texts or emails, then expressing that figure as a percentage.

This metric is important in veterinary services because it shows how effectively communication supports appointment attendance, continuity of treatment, and practice stability.

Average Delivery Rate

The average delivery rate for veterinary services is 98–99%, which means almost every SMS actually lands on the pet owners device without getting lost in transit.

This reflects stable and predictable message delivery across everyday clinic workflows, from appointment reminders to urgent follow up notes and lab notifications.

Delivery rate is calculated by taking all successfully delivered messages, dividing them by every text sent, then removing those that fail due to incorrect numbers or carrier filtering.

In veterinary services this matters because reliable SMS keeps teams aligned on time sensitive cases, repeat treatments, prescription refills, and post procedure updates that protect animal health.

Average Open Rate

The average open rate is 98%, which shows that pet owners almost always read text messages in veterinary services.

Open rate describes the proportion of delivered messages that clients actually view.

It is worked out by taking the number of opened texts, dividing by the number successfully delivered, then multiplying that result by 100 to get a percentage.

In veterinary services this metric matters because reminders for vaccinations appointment times and follow up instructions must be seen quickly.

High open rates make sure important health guidance reaches owners when their pets need it most.

Average Time to Read

The average time to read an SMS in veterinary services is 3 minutes.

Time to read describes how long it takes clients to open and view a text once it is successfully delivered.

It is calculated by tracking the time gap between delivery and first open for many messages, then averaging those results.

This matters in veterinary services because quick reading affects appointment confirmations, pre visit instructions, urgent test results, and medication reminders.

It also shapes how clinics plan follow up texts, triage urgent cases, and make sure pet owners see important updates when their animals need timely care.

Average Response Time

The average response time for veterinary services is 90 seconds, which shows how quickly clients typically respond after getting a text from the clinic.

Response time is the span between when a message lands on a clients phone and when their first reply is sent.

It is calculated by averaging this time gap across all text conversations during a specific period.

In veterinary services, response time matters because fast replies help coordinate urgent care, clarify medication instructions, and confirm appointment details.

Shorter response times suggest that pet owners are engaged through SMS, which helps teams make sure animals receive timely support.

Average Bounce Rate

The average bounce rate is 1–2% in veterinary services, which indicates that only a very limited share of SMS updates never make it to pet owners.

This small percentage hints at reliable data quality, stable networks, and well maintained client records.

Bounce rate is calculated by dividing the count of undelivered text messages by the total number of texts sent, then multiplying by 100 to express it as a percentage.

In veterinary services, this metric is vital because dependable messaging underpins appointment reminders, vaccination recalls, follow up care instructions, and urgent health alerts.

When bounce rates remain low, clinics can make sure client details are current, communication stays consistent, and overall service feels reassuring for both owners and their animals.

Why Are SMS Metrics Important?

Sms metrics play a crucial role for businesses in veterinary services because they show how well clinics connect with pet owners who expect fast and clear updates.

Whether confirming checkups, sharing follow up care tips, or sending gentle reminders, strong sms performance helps make sure vital details reach clients on time.

Figures like delivery rate, open rate, and response rate reveal how attentive pet owners are to messages from their vet.

Conversion and click through rates highlight how effectively those texts lead to actions such as booking visits, refilling prescriptions, or purchasing preventive treatments.

Overview of Veterinary Services

Veterinary services rely on clear, compassionate communication to support pet owners who often need quick guidance and reassurance.

Clients expect timely updates, simple next steps, and easy access to information during both routine visits and urgent situations.

Traditional channels can be slow or inconvenient, especially when people are away from email or unable to answer calls.

SMS offers near universal reach, immediacy, and very high engagement rates, which makes it ideal for delivering concise, time critical information.

By using SMS, veterinary services can reduce delays, streamline internal coordination, and keep clients better informed throughout the care journey.

This supports smoother operations, stronger trust, and a more responsive client experience.

SMS Use Cases in Veterinary Services

SMS helps veterinary services keep pet owners informed, reduce missed appointments, and speed urgent communications.

Timely texts improve clinic workflow and client satisfaction by delivering concise instructions, updates, and confirmations directly to owners.

Send automated appointment reminders and pre-visit checklists to reduce no-shows and make sure owners arrive prepared with history, fasting requirements, or sample collections.

Provide scheduled post-operative check-ins and medication reminders with quick reply options for status updates or concerns, helping clinicians detect complications earlier.

Targeted reminders for vaccinations, parasite prevention, and wellness plans promote preventive care and simplify booking with short scheduling links.

Use rapid SMS alerts for critical results, urgent care availability, or shelter intake notifications so staff and owners can coordinate faster responses.

FAQs About SMS Benchmarks for Veterinary Services

How can veterinary services use SMS to remind pet owners about upcoming appointments?

Veterinary services can send short reminder texts a day or two before scheduled visits, including the date, time, and clinic location. This helps pet owners remember their commitments and reduces missed appointments.

What kinds of pet health updates work well in SMS for veterinary services?

Clinics can send SMS updates about vaccination schedules, post-surgery check-ins, and medication follow-ups. These quick messages support ongoing care and help pet owners feel supported between visits.

How can veterinary services use SMS to manage urgent pet care communication?

Veterinary teams can use SMS to quickly confirm emergency arrivals, share initial triage instructions, and notify when a pet is ready to be picked up. This keeps communication clear during stressful situations without overwhelming phone lines.

What is the best way for veterinary services to collect consent for SMS communication?

Clinics can ask owners to opt in during registration or check-in, clearly explaining what types of messages they will receive. Providing an easy way to opt out in every text helps build trust and maintain good client relationships.