Quality-of-life scale
Seven things decide how an old dog or cat is really doing. Score each from 0 to 10, see the total, and keep a log of good days and bad days.
Hurt
Is your dog in pain, and is the pain under control? Count breathing: struggling for breath belongs here too.
–0 · In pain most of the timeComfortable · 10
Hunger
Is your dog eating enough, willingly?
–0 · Refusing foodEating well · 10
Hydration
Is your dog drinking enough and staying hydrated?
–0 · Not drinkingDrinking normally · 10
Hygiene
Can your dog keep clean, or be kept clean? Think about soiling, sores and coat.
–0 · Soiled, sore skinClean and cared for · 10
Happiness
Does your dog still show interest and pleasure: greeting you, responding, wanting company?
–0 · Withdrawn, anxiousEngaged, content · 10
Mobility
Can your dog get up and move around, with help if needed?
–0 · Cannot get upMoves freely · 10
More good days than bad
Looking at the last two weeks, how do your dog's good days compare with the bad ones?
–0 · Mostly bad daysMostly good days · 10
Scored 0 of 7
Not yet
Move each slider to the number that fits this week. The total appears when all seven are scored.
Good day or bad day?
Mark each day once. When the bad days start to outnumber the good ones, you will see it here before you feel sure of it.
Last 14 days
0 good · 0 bad
Saved in this browser only. Nothing is sent to us.
This tool organizes what you have noticed. It can't examine your pet, and its result is not a diagnosis or veterinary advice. Take what it shows to your vet; if your pet is in distress, go to an emergency clinic now. Full disclaimer
How the scale works
The seven areas are the ones veterinarians in end-of-life care use: hurt, hunger, hydration, hygiene, happiness, mobility, and more good days than bad. Each is scored from 0, the worst it could be, to 10, the best. The total is out of 70.
A total above 35 is generally read as an acceptable quality of life. Treat that line as a prompt, not a verdict. A pet can score 45 overall and still be in pain that needs treating today, which is why the tool calls out any single area at 3 or below.
One score tells you little. Score at the same time each week, save it, and mark each day good or bad. When a decision is coming, most people already know; the log lets you see it written down, and gives your vet something concrete to work with.
Nothing here decides anything. Whether more can be done, and whether it is time, are questions for you and the veterinarian who knows your pet.
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