11/27/2025
Determining your pet’s quality of life isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. This simple Quality of Life Scale can help you track your pet’s daily comfort, mobility, and enjoyment, and give you guidance to start meaningful conversations with your veterinarian. 💕
Nutrition
0 – Eating and drinking normally
1 – Eating less, needs assistance (hand-feeding, toppers, appetite stimulant)
2 – Not eating or drinking
Behavior / Sociability
0 – Bright, alert, interacts normally with family and pets
1 – Less social or acting differently (withdrawn, unusually quiet or irritable)
2 – Depressed, minimally responsive, little to no interaction
Mobility
0 – Moves around easily
1 – Some difficulty standing, climbing stairs, or posturing to toilet
2 – Needs assistance walking or non-mobile; pain not well controlled
Toileting
0 – Normal urination and bowel movements
1 – Irregular toileting habits
2 – Frequent accidents or not going at all
Pain
0 – Comfortable and relaxed
1 – Mild discomfort (panting, stiffness, decreased activity)
2 – Noticeable pain (whining, restlessness, reluctance to move)
Enjoyment
0 – Still enjoys favorite things
1 – Shows less interest in play, walks, or people
2 – No interest or engagement in favorite activities
🐾Scoring
Add up your pet’s score (0–12):
0–5: Good quality of life.
6–8: Diminished quality of life, talk to your vet about comfort options.
9–12: Significantly reduced quality of life, speak with your vet about end-of-life care.
Track your pet’s score daily or weekly. If they’re having more bad days than good, it may be time to discuss options with your veterinary team.
