Creating and Using Custom Event Types


Hospet comes with over 80 predefined event types to help you track the routines, symptoms, and behaviors that matter most in your pet’s daily life. But sometimes, what you want to track is more personal — something unique to your pet, your routine, or your intuition.

That’s where Custom Event Types come in.

With custom events, you can create your own tracking categories and log exactly what feels meaningful — in your words, your way.

When to Create a Custom Event Type

You might want to create a custom event type if:

  • You’re tracking a behavior or symptom that isn’t listed in the predefined options
  • You want to be more specific than the general options (e.g. “Coughed after eating” vs. just “Coughing”)
  • You’re monitoring a unique signature trait or emotional behavior
  • You’re working with your vet or care team to observe a specific pattern over time
  • You simply prefer different wording than what’s in the default list

There’s no wrong reason to create one. Custom events exist to give you flexibility — so your tracking reflects your real experience, not just a checklist.

How to Create, Edit, or Delete a Custom Event Type

To manage your custom event types, click the “Custom Event Types” link located in the left sidebar of your screen. From there, you’ll see a list of all custom types you’ve created, along with the option to:

  • Create a new event type
  • Edit an existing one
  • Delete a type you no longer need

Note: Custom event types are account-specific, not pet-specific — so once you create a custom type, it’s available for use across all pets on your account.

Custom Event Fields: What They Mean and How to Use Them

When creating or editing a custom event type, you can define one or more fields that appear when logging that event. Each field collects specific information, giving you even more control over how you track your pet’s experience.

Here’s a breakdown of each field type and how it can be used:

Text

  • Use for: Short written entries (e.g. “Room,” “Surface,” “Food brand”)
  • Example: “Where did the accident occur?”
  • Additional Settings: Required, Default Value, Help Text

Number

  • Use for: Quantitative values (e.g. hours, repetitions, counts)
  • Example: “Number of times vomiting”
  • Additional Settings: Required, Default Value, Help Text

Date

  • Use for: Dates that differ from the time the event is logged
  • Example: “Last bath date,” “When did it start?”
  • Additional Settings: Required, Default Value, Help Text

Time

  • Use for: Time of day an event occurred
  • Example: “Time medication was given,” “Walk time”
  • Additional Settings: Required, Default Value, Help Text

Select (Dropdown)

  • Use for: Choosing one option from a list
  • Example: “Severity” (Mild, Moderate, Severe)
  • Additional Settings: Add options, mark default using the star icon, Required, Help Text

Checkbox (Yes/No)

  • Use for: Simple true/false input
  • Example: “Was food finished?” or “Used stairs?”
  • Additional Settings: Default (checked or unchecked), Required, Help Text

Checkboxes (Multiple Choice)

  • Use for: Selecting one or more items from a list
  • Example: “Symptoms noticed” (Limping, Whining, Restless)
  • Additional Settings: Add options, mark default(s) with star icon, Required, Help Text

Radio Buttons

  • Use for: Selecting one option from a set (same use case as select, just visually different)
  • Example: “Mood” (Happy, Neutral, Anxious)
  • Additional Settings: Add options, mark default with star icon, Required, Help Text

Text Area

  • Use for: Longer notes or open-ended entries
  • Example: “Describe how the walk went,” “Other observations”
  • Additional Settings: Required, Default Value, Help Text

Field Attributes

Each field includes a few optional settings to help you guide how the event is logged:

  • Required – Makes the field mandatory when logging the event
  • Default Value – Pre-fills the field to save time or encourage consistency
    • For text/number/textarea: set a default via textbox
    • For select lists, checkboxes, and radio buttons: use the star icon to mark the default option
  • Help Text – A short description or tip that appears beneath the field when logging an event
    • Great for guiding others who may not know exactly what to enter
    • Example: “Use this to note the time of day your pet first seemed restless.”

These settings allow you to create structured, purposeful event types — especially useful when collaborating with others in your care circle or tracking data for long-term trends.

Best Practices for Custom Event Types

  • Keep names short and clear – So they fit easily in buttons or dropdowns
  • Use fields intentionally – Only include the fields you actually want to use — don’t overcomplicate it
  • Be consistent – If you're tracking something across multiple pets or over time, consistency helps you spot trends
  • Lean on Help Text – It’s useful for co-caregivers or even future-you

How Custom Events Work with the Rest of Hospet

Custom events behave just like predefined ones:

  • You can log them from the full Events tab or the Quick Access Panel
  • They appear in your pet’s event journal
  • You can filter by custom event types
  • They show up in your event trends and summaries, alongside predefined events

They also work beautifully alongside Daily Ratings, QOL Assessments, and Annotations — helping you connect the dots between daily life and long-term changes.

You Know Your Pet Best

What you choose to track — and how you choose to track it — should feel right to you. Custom Event Types are just one more way Hospet supports the intuitive, thoughtful care you’re already giving your pet.

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