Pet owners worldwide struggle with figuring out when to put their pets to sleep every single day. So many questions arise when we think about it. Am I too early? Am I too late? What if they have a few more months or years of happiness left? Are they suffering now?
Unfortunately, none of these questions have easy or concrete answers. Deciding when to euthanize a pet is entirely individual. It’s not usually determined by age or even disease. It’s determined by quality of life.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines quality of life as “the degree to which a person or group is healthy, comfortable, and able to enjoy the activities of daily living.”
We can apply this definition to our pets, as well. As pet owners, we’re tasked with the health and safety of our pets. This includes determining if they meet those same quality of life standards. You’ll need to ask yourself many questions about your pet and how they are coping with and enjoying life at this moment and overall. Most importantly, you’ll have to answer honestly. This looks a little different for every pet and owner since no two pets or human-animal bonds are the same. That’s why we’ve gathered information here to help make that decision a little more clear for you.
Picture a three-legged stool. For the stool to function properly, all three legs must rest on the floor in balance. If one leg is a little too short, the stool wobbles but largely remains useful and strong. Yet, when a leg is much too short, the stool falls.
We can envision your pet’s quality of life similarly, focusing on three primary factors: physical health, mental health, and daily life. Each of these elements contributes equally to your pet’s overall well-being. By carefully assessing these aspects, you can get a comprehensive picture of how your pet is truly feeling. If one or more areas score lower than others, it may indicate a serious issue in your pet’s quality of life.
In this assessment, you will answer questions as follows:
We hope to offer a downloadable or interactive tool soon, but for now, use the scoring system to keep track of your pet’s quality of life. Regularly monitoring scores helps you assess your pet’s condition and decide when to seek veterinary advice. A higher score suggests a good quality of life, while a lower score may highlight areas needing attention or care. This assessment aims to empower you as a pet owner, providing a structured way to understand and improve your pet’s well-being. By consistently evaluating these factors, you can make informed decisions to enhance your pet’s overall happiness and health or make the call that it’s time to euthanize.
Understanding your pet’s physical health is key to gauging their overall quality of life. Taking a thorough “nose to tail” approach — ideally with your vet’s help — can reveal how your pet is coping with various health issues. While minor concerns, like a small lump that doesn’t interfere with their daily activities might be unimportant, more serious symptoms like persistent coughing due to heart disease can greatly affect their well-being. Let’s take a look into some questions to help you evaluate your pet’s physical health:
Good mental health is necessary for your pet’s overall happiness and engagement with their surroundings. Just like humans, pets can experience stress, anxiety, and depression, which can impact their daily life and interactions. Observing changes in your pet’s behavior, mood, and how they engage with you and their environment can provide insight into their mental well-being. It’s important to understand that maintaining your pet’s mental health not only contributes to their joy but also helps them cope with any physical health challenges they might encounter. Let’s explore some questions to help you evaluate your pet’s mental health:
Assessing your pet’s daily life involves looking at how they engage in and enjoy their routine activities. This includes their playtime, exercise, and interactions with family members and other pets. Observing these everyday behaviors can give you a clearer picture of their overall comfort and happiness. Let’s consider some key aspects of your pet’s day-to-day life:
Daily activities. Is your pet able to engage in and enjoy their normal daily activities? Think about their willingness to play, exercise, and participate in family activities. A sudden lack of interest or reduced activity level can indicate discomfort or a decline in their overall health. Is your once active dog now reluctant to go on walks or does your cat spend most of the day hiding rather than exploring?
Routine comfort. Is your pet comfortable with their daily routines, such as feeding and bathroom habits? Observe any changes in their usual routine or if they show signs of discomfort. For example, has your pet started avoiding their food or water bowl? Are they hesitant to go outside for bathroom breaks? Did your cat suddenly start peeing outside the box? Changes in these habits can indicate underlying health issues or discomfort.
Interaction with others. Does your pet interact well with family members and other pets? Consider their behavior towards household members and other pets, looking for any changes in interaction patterns. Is your pet more withdrawn or showing aggression towards others? Such changes can be a sign of stress, pain, or emotional distress.
Adaptability. Is your pet able to adapt to minor changes in their environment or routine without significant distress? Evaluate their reaction to small changes, like a new piece of furniture or a change in their feeding schedule. Pets that struggle with adaptation might show signs of anxiety or behavioral changes when faced with new situations. Does your pet become anxious or behave unusually when there’s a slight shift in routine, such as a new visitor or a change in daily walk time?
Enjoyment of life. Does your pet have more good days than bad? Reflect on the overall balance of positive versus negative experiences in your pet’s life. Are there more days filled with enjoyment, activity, and engagement, or are there frequent signs of distress or discomfort? Consistently noticing more bad days can be a critical indicator of issues affecting your pet’s quality of life.
We asked Dr. Irish to tell us more about a balanced quality of life. She said, “sometimes, it’s hard to see how everything fits together. For example, a dog unable to use their back legs may become severely depressed when they can’t chase their favorite toy anymore. But another dog with the same problem could still be happy if their owner provides lots of mental stimulation like pulling it around in a wagon to see all their friends. This shows that there isn’t always a clear answer when it comes to what makes life good, especially when deciding if it’s time to think about euthanasia.”
This quality of life assessment provides a thorough way to evaluate your pet’s well-being across vital areas. Regularly assessing these aspects can help you ensure that your pet lives a comfortable, happy, and fulfilling life. Consider reassessing their quality of life every month or even weekly, especially if you notice any changes. This consistent evaluation will help you catch significant changes early and assist in making informed decisions about your pet’s care, including the difficult choice of when it might be time to let go.
👉 Sometimes you’ll need a little more guidance to answer questions. Here are some links that can help:
When considering your pet’s quality of life, it’s crucial to view it as a whole rather than just isolated issues. Physical health, mental well-being, and daily activities are all interconnected. For example, pain or illness can affect your pet’s mood and their ability to enjoy daily activities, just as anxiety or depression can influence their physical health and willingness to engage in routine behaviors. To ensure a balanced and fulfilling life for your pet, it’s important to regularly assess and address each of these areas.
Achieving and maintaining this balance often requires ongoing attention and, at times, additional support such as medication or therapy. Your vet can help you assess each area and find ways to help. But you can also take some steps to help at home.
If your pet has a hard time getting onto the couch, consider adding pet steps. Perhaps your cat loves lying on top of the bookshelf, but they can’t quite make the jump anymore. Consider getting a tall cat tree and placing it next to the shelf so they can climb up a bit at a time. Does your dog slip on the floor? Learn how to help them keep their feet from sliding. Many products out there are designed to help senior and disabled pets have an easier time getting around and enjoying life — you just have to look!
As you consider your pet’s quality of life, it’s also essential to reflect on your own situation, priorities, and the needs of your household. Caring for a pet with significant health issues can be challenging and emotional. Here are some important questions to guide you through this process:
These questions highlight personal and sensitive considerations that can help you make informed and compassionate decisions about your pet’s care. There are no right or wrong answers here. Be honest with yourself and take time to consider each question thoroughly. Remember there are resources available to you during this time. Consider contacting the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement to get access to pet loss support groups including chat rooms, video groups, and in-person meetings.
🌈 If you’ve recently lost a pet or are considering euthanasia, we at betterpet express our sincerest condolences. We understand the choice is never an easy one to make. We wish you peace and healing. We hope these articles may be of some comfort and help you during this difficult time:
The process of deciding when to let go of a beloved pet is deeply personal and emotional. While veterinary guidance provides insight into your pet’s health, the ultimate decision rests with you. Each pet’s journey is unique, influenced by factors such as their physical health, mental well-being, and daily interactions. Assessing your pet’s quality of life involves evaluating these factors closely and honestly. This comprehensive survey of your pet’s well-being ensures you consider all aspects and helps you identify problem areas.
It’s worthwhile to discuss your assessment findings openly with your vet. They can guide you in managing your pet’s health and offer support during difficult decisions. Engaging with your family members is also important because they can offer valuable insight into your pet’s behavior and needs.
Remember, there is nothing wrong with deciding on euthanasia based on a poor quality of life. It’s a compassionate choice made out of love and consideration for your pet’s comfort and happiness. Seek solace in the resources available to you, to navigate this emotional journey with care and understanding.
By remaining attentive to your pet’s changing needs and embracing a holistic approach to their well-being, you empower yourself to make informed decisions that prioritize their quality of life. Cherish the moments you have together and trust in the bonds of love and companionship that define your relationship with your pet.
A quality of life assessment typically evaluates your pet’s physical health, mental well-being, and daily activities. It involves observing behaviors, monitoring health indicators, and considering overall happiness and comfort.
Assessing your pet’s quality of life involves considering factors like pain management, appetite, hydration, mobility, mental health, and daily routines. Regularly evaluating these areas helps in understanding your pet’s well-being.
Just like dogs, a quality of life assessment for a cat focuses on their physical health, mental well-being, and daily activities.
Making a quality of life decision for your dog involves assessing their overall health, behavior changes, and enjoyment of daily activities. Discussing with your vet can provide guidance on managing health conditions and understanding when euthanasia might be a compassionate choice. Ultimately, you will have to combine all these factors to make an informed decision.
When a vet discusses quality of life, they are referring to how well your pet can enjoy daily activities, remain comfortable, and cope with any health challenges they may have. It’s a holistic assessment that considers physical health, mental well-being, and environmental factors.
