At Happy Earth Pet Hospice, I believe every pet and family is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all plan for end-of-life pet care—and there is no single “right” way to say goodbye. While all pets deserve comfort, love, and dignity as they transition, the details of how their story ends should honor the journey they’ve had throughout their life.

When considering a pet’s quality of life, I often ask: “Is this life still meaningful to the pet?”
To explore this, we consider:

• Does the pet have the ability and motivation to engage with their environment?

• Do they feel connected—part of a loving, supportive family?

• Do they have a sense of control, or are they slipping into helplessness and hopelessness?

These questions create a foundation for conversations about hospice care and euthanasia decisions. While many pet quality-of-life scales exist, I don’t believe a number alone should ever dictate treatment or the timing of euthanasia. Instead, scales are a starting point for thoughtful, collaborative discussions between families and veterinarians.

How Quality-of-Life Scales Support Families

Quality-of-life scales can be helpful tools to:

• Document a pet’s condition before treatment

• Guide an individualized palliative care plan

• Reevaluate a pet’s comfort and well-being over time

The scale I use during hospice consultations looks at categories essential to both dogs and cats, including:

Mobility & Comfort

Can the pet move without falling or stumbling? Do they need help to stand, walk, or use the bathroom? Are their postures or sounds suggesting pain?

Nutrition

Is the pet eating consistently? Passionate eaters who lose interest in food signal an important change, while picky eaters who suddenly become ravenous may also reflect a shift in health.

Hydration

Changes in drinking habits, coat quality, or stool consistency provide insight into comfort and internal balance.

Interaction & Attitude

Is the pet still engaged with their loved ones? For example, if a dog who once followed a family member everywhere no longer lifts their head when that person leaves the room, this is significant.

Elimination

Urination and defecation patterns should be assessed relative to what has been normal for that individual pet throughout their life.

Favorite Things

What lights your pet up? Whether it’s a daily walk, a sunny nap spot, or a quirky bedtime ritual, the ability to enjoy these small joys is a key measure of quality of life.

Compassionate End-of-Life Pet Care

There is no “perfect” quality-of-life scale in veterinary medicine, but using one provides a comprehensive snapshot of your pet’s well-being and creates space for meaningful conversations. Most importantly, it ensures decisions are made with compassion, collaboration, and respect for both the pet and family.

At Happy Earth Pet Hospice, I proudly provide mobile veterinary hospice care across North Carolina (Aydlett, Barco, Camden, Coinjock, Currituck, Elizabeth City, Grandy, Gregory, Indiantown, Moyock, Powells Point, Point Harbor, Shawboro, Shiloh, Sligo, South Mills, Weeksville) and Virginia (Chesapeake–Greenbrier, Great Bridge, Hickory, Grassfield, Deep Creek, Edinburgh, and Virginia Beach). By bringing care directly to your home, your pet can remain comfortable in familiar surroundings while receiving personalized, integrative support.

🌿 Learn how Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) can enhance your pet’s comfort and quality of life.
📞 Call us or visit HappyEarthPetHospice.com to schedule a consultation.