How to Evaluate Your Senior Pet’s Quality of Life
A veterinarian’s guide to using QOL scales and what they mean for your beloved pet
Watching a beloved senior pet age is one of the hardest parts of being their guardian. You may find yourself asking, “Are they still happy? Are they in pain? How will I know when it’s time?”These are questions I hear from pet parents every day in my work with senior dogs and cats.
The truth is, our pets can’t tell us with words how they feel and we know they are masters at hiding pain. That’s where Quality of Life (QOL) evaluations come in. These tools provide a structured, compassionate way to assess how your pet is truly doing, so you can make informed and loving decisions.
Why Quality of Life Evaluations Matter
• Pets are masters at masking discomfort. A dog may still greet you at the door even if arthritis makes walking painful.
• Chronic conditions progress slowly. Diseases like kidney failure or dementia often creep in, making it hard to notice subtle declines.
• Objectivity eases the burden. QOL scales give you concrete ways to measure what can feel like overwhelming emotions.
• They empower families. By tracking your pet’s comfort, you gain confidence that you’re making the kindest choices.
Common Quality of Life Tools
1. The HHHHHMM Scale
Developed by Dr. Alice Villalobos, this scale looks at:
Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More Good Days Than Bad.
Each is scored 0–10. Adding up the numbers helps you see whether your pet’s needs are still being met.
2. Lap of Love’s Quality of Life Scale
This simplified worksheet breaks QOL into categories like pain, appetite, mobility, and joy. It’s printable and easy to track over time, which many families find less overwhelming.
3. Ohio State University’s QOL Assessment
A more detailed tool that asks specific questions about daily routines, behaviors, and interactions. It works especially well for pets with multiple chronic conditions.
4. The Good Days vs. Bad Days Journal
Sometimes the simplest tool is best. By writing down whether each day was a “good” or “bad” day, you can quickly see when the balance shifts — and that often matters more than a score.
How to Use These Tools at Home
• Check in regularly. Weekly or monthly assessments are better than waiting until a crisis.
• Use the same tool each time. This makes trends easier to spot.
• Share your notes with your vet. You see your pet every day; we only see them at visits. Your observations are invaluable.
• Include the whole family. Sometimes children or partners notice changes you may overlook.
✏️ Free Download: Senior Pet Vet Quality of Life Worksheet
I created a Quick Quality of Life Worksheet that combines these tools into one easy log you can use at home.
Use it to track your pet’s weekly comfort, mark good vs. bad days, and bring it along to your next veterinary appointment.
Signs That Quality of Life Is Declining
• Persistent pain despite treatment.
• Refusal of food or water.
• Loss of interest in once-loved activities.
• More “bad” days than “good” over time.
These are not signs of failure. They are signs of love and show you’re paying attention and honoring your pet’s needs.
Taking Compassionate Next Steps
If your pet’s QOL scores are consistently low, or if their bad days outweigh the good, it’s time to talk with your veterinarian. Together, you can explore options: adjusting medications, adding supportive therapies, modifying your home, or — when it’s clear their suffering cannot be relieved — preparing for a peaceful goodbye.
💜 For more guidance, my ebook Peaceful Goodbyes: Navigating End-of-Life Care offers step-by-step support, including how to prepare, what to expect, and how to honor your pet’s memory.
👉 Get the End-of-Life Ebook Here
Final Thoughts
Evaluating quality of life isn’t about counting down the days. It’s about making every day count. These tools can help give you clarity. Remember, choosing comfort and dignity for your pet is the ultimate act of love.
