Pet quality-of-life assessment before choosing in-home euthanasia

Interactive quality-of-life assessment to consider how your companion animal feels

You are asking the question because you love them. This is where we start.

Pet quality-of-life is a compassionate and practical framework for understanding how our companion animal is coping with illness, aging, or disability. It is also useful for guiding palliative care and making end-of-life decisions.

At its core, quality of life considers not just the presence or absence of symptoms, but how a companion animal feels—physically, emotionally, and socially. Our goal is to identify where our companion is struggling in their daily experience, and aim to improve their quality of life in those specific areas.

There will come a time when we are no longer able to improve or maintain our companion's quality of life in certain areas, and when this happens, we must decide if their experience is overall still positive. To do this, we can use a quality-of-life scale and reassess at various intervals.

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Observing our companion animals

Because our companion animals can’t tell us how they feel, we rely on our observations to determine, whether, on balance, they are still getting some enjoyment out of life. In particular, do they still find pleasure in play, affection, and rest? Have they stopped greeting you at the door? Are they withdrawn?

Many families find it helpful to keep a journal or calendar to track “good” and “challenging” days and to note changes in their quality of life. This helps identify patterns and a trajectory over time, rather than relying on a single moment of crisis to guide decision-making.

If you are having a challenging time assessing your companion’s quality of life, it can be helpful to have several people who know them to perform a quality-of-life assessment independently and then discuss responses as a group. Again, having the input of your family veterinarian can be invaluable here if you need some reassurance that you are making the right decision.

Thoughtfully designed quality-of-life tools help prioritize both medical and emotional well-being. These assessments are not only measurements but opportunities to connect with your companion’s experience, fostering empathy. Quality-of -life assessments are also useful to guide palliative care towards areas that are deficient.

Used regularly, quality-of-life evaluations offer caregivers reassurance that they are making informed decisions. And they can help shift the focus from fear and guilt to clarity, love, and presence during this sacred chapter of their lives.

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The best approach to quality of life

Mulberry Lane In-home Veterinary Care offers an initial discussion over the phone. If you feel concerned about your companion animal’s quality of life, we encourage you to give us a call to start a conversation. In addition, we offer a consultation that includes a quality-of-life assessment as part of your in-home euthanasia.

If you are looking for a complete Quality-of-Life Consultation, we believe that the best approach to quality-of-life assessment and palliative care is to work directly with your family veterinarian or specialist. They are best placed to support your family.

There can be situations where further diagnostic evaluations or treatments for your companion can be pursued that cannot be offered in a home setting. We would then refer you back to your family veterinarian or specialist for support which would likely incur further consultation fees.

When deciding on how your companion’s last days will look, it is important to have a good understanding of the prognosis and progression of their disease. Some diseases progress rapidly and may have a steep decline, others may be more gradual.

Your family veterinarian and/or specialist can provide guidance on what supportive measures are most feasible for you and your companion’s situation. Importantly, you can also discuss what areas of your companion’s quality of life you do not want to see drop below a certain level.

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Take the interactive pet quality-of-life assessment

Deciding to say goodbye to your companion animal may be one of the most difficult decisions you ever make. Often, well-loved pets are euthanized to minimize unnecessary suffering.

End-of-life decisions can be very challenging, and having agreement between family members is important so that everyone is at peace with the chosen path. Use this tool collaboratively with family members or others who know your companion well, and gather to discuss your findings along with any differences in assessment.

The quality of our pet’s life is defined by their overall physical and mental well-being, not just one aspect of their life. This assessment attempts to consider all aspects of your pet’s life. It’s a tool for conversation, not a diagnosis.

It is important to remember that all companion animals are different. What may be considered a poor quality of life for one may be different for another.

The results of your assessment

Higher numbers on this assessment equal a better quality of life. This assessment may help you to better visualize the general well-being of your companion. In some cases, just one item may indicate a poor quality of life, even if many other items are still positive.

Some items or symptoms may be expected side effects of the treatments that your companion is undergoing. It is important to discuss these symptoms and side effects with your primary veterinarian or specialist. A quality-of-life score can help guide palliative treatment to improve areas that are deficient. We encourage you to work with your primary veterinarian or specialist in this instance.

Each response is weighted from a score of one to five. One represents a poor quality of life, and five represents a good quality of life. The highest quality-of-life score on this assessment is 130.

Special thanks to The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Centre for their permission to publish this assessment.

Additional quality-of-life resources

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Make it A Meaningful Goodbye™

You are not just saying goodbye to your friend, you are losing a relationship that has shaped your daily rhythm, identity, and sense of safety in the world.

Our companions offer unconditional acceptance, comfort during times of stress, and a steady presence through life’s transitions. For many of us, our companion is a source of emotional grounding, joy, and stability.

The grief surrounding your pet’s passing can be profound. It is natural to feel sadness, guilt, uncertainty, or even a sense of disbelief. These emotions reflect the depth of your love and the importance of the bond you share.

Euthanasia is one of the most selfless gifts we can give our companions when their quality of life and dignity can no longer be maintained.

We believe it is important for families to feel emotionally safe and unhurried during this moment. We know that providing a calm environment, clear explanations, and permission for silence or ritual, are as important as the medical procedure itself.

An in-home setting allows your companion to remain in the place where they feel safest and most at ease. Familiar surroundings, comforting scents, and the presence of loved ones often help reduce anxiety for both pets and families.

Being at home also gives you privacy, time, and space. There is no car ride, no waiting room, no background noise, and no sense of being rushed. You are free to move at your own pace, to hold your companion, to speak to them, to pray, to cry, or simply to sit quietly together.

A Meaningful Goodbye™