| Canine Quality of Life Assessment Scale |
| Feline Quality of Life Assessment Scale |
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Category
Hurt
0 = very painful 10 = pain-free |
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Is your cat/dog experiencing laboured breathing? (Using their stomach to breathe, breathing more quickly than normal, having difficulty breathing, etc)
- Is your cat/dog vocalizing more frequently (whining, panting, etc), becoming irritated when touched or growling? Is your cat purring non-stop? (Cats will sometimes purr excessively to soothe themselves.) - Is your cat/dog hiding, becoming anti-social or avoiding interaction with the family? Is your cat changing their litterbox habits or no longer able to jump up to their favourite places? |
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Hunger
0 =not eating at all 10 = eating well |
- Is your cat/dog eating? Are they eating as much or almost as much as they used to?
- Does hand feeding and offering different flavoured foods encourage them to eat? - Is your pet continuing to lose more and more weight? |
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Hydration
0 = dehydrated 10 = well hydrated |
- Is your cat/dog’s fluid intake sufficient? A good amount to aim for is 10 mL (or 2 teaspoons) per pound per day.
- Hydration can be measured by pulling up on the skin between the shoulder blades – if the skin “tents” instead of returning to its normal position, this is a sign of dehydration. - Subcutaneous fluids (fluids given under the skin) can be used long term to help maintain your pet’s hydration. |
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Hygiene
0 = soiled 10 = very clean |
- Is your cat/dog clean, dry and well-groomed with no matts in their fur or soiling from their eliminations?
- Can they use go outside to use the bathroom? Can they use the litterbox normally? Would a shallower pan make it easier for them? - Check your pet for pressure sores and wounds daily. |
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Happiness
0 = depressed 10 = joyful and playful |
- Does your cat/dog express joy and interest? Are they responsive to the family greeting them and petting them? Do they still want to play with toys, explore their surroundings and do other things they used to enjoy? Does your cat want to sit on your lap and play with catnip etc?
- Does your pet seem depressed, lonely, anxious or bored? - If your cat/dog’s mobility is compromised, can their bed be moved close to the family’s activities to avoid isolation? |
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Mobility
0 = non-mobile 10 = normal mobility |
- Can your pet get up and move around on their own?
- Is your cat/dog having seizures or stumbling? - If your cat/dog has limited mobility but is still alert and responsive, can the family help by assisting them outside to go to the bathroom and providing consistent nursing care? |
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More Good Days than Bad Days?
0 = only bad 10 = only good |
When bad days outnumber good days, your dog’s quality of life is compromised. When a healthy human-animal bond is no longer possible or if your dog is experiencing unresponsive suffering, it is time to make a decision about euthanasia.
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