A Quality of Life Scale for Pets
Dr. Katie Hilst, DVM developed this Quality of Life Scale after hundreds of conversations over the years with pet owners and their families making the decision to euthanize their pet. Sometimes, after the discussion, people realize their pet is enjoying life, and they still have time left with their pet. Other times, people realize their pet is suffering more than they were aware, so they choose the final act of caring.
In either case, the JOURNEYS scale is meant to get you thinking and considering the factors that affect your pet’s happiness and sense of well-being. There are no hard and fast rules, although in general, a higher score is better. A score of 80 is a happy, healthy pet! A score of 8 is a pet that is suffering. A low score on any of the measures may be a reason to consider euthanasia. Please use this as a starting place to explore your pet’s quality of life, and address your concerns with your veterinarian.
J-O-U-R-N-E-Y-S:
J- Jumping or Mobility
O – Ouch or pain
U – Uncertainty and Understanding (factors that affect YOU)
R – Respiration or Breathing
N – Neatness or Hygiene
E – Eating and Drinking
Y – You
S – Social ability
For each variable, there is an assigned value of 10 points with an example for scores of 1, 5 and 10 as guides. Use your judgment to decide how your pet scores. Example: E – Eating and Drinking, if your pet “only eats treats” you may assign a value of 2 or 3- higher than 1 which is not eating at all, but less than 5 which is eating slightly less of their regular food than is normal for them.
J- Jumping or mobility:
1 pt: Your pet cannot walk or stand without assistance.
5 pt: Your pet can move around as long as he/she has their pain medication. They can do about half the activity they did when they were healthier or can get about half the distance on a walk, or spend half the time doing their activities (chasing a Frisbee, swimming, hunting) as they used to.
10 pt: Your pet is fully active and enjoying all their activities.
O – Ouch or pain:
1 pt: Your pet seems painful (whining, crying, not willing to move) even while taking pain medication. Note: many animals will hide pain or weakness as a survival trait.
5 pt: Your pet is on pain medications and they are helping at least 75% of the time.
10 pt: Your pet is pain-free.
U – Uncertainty and Understanding:
1 pt: Your pet has a diagnosis (medical condition) that cannot be predicted. You may not understand the diagnosi , or the problem may be prone to sudden, catastrophic events.
5 pt: Your pet has a medical condition that can change over time, is currently stable, and you are able to monitor it (with the help of your veterinarian) and make adjustments when necessary. You understand what to watch for, the treatment plan, and when your pet needs medical attention.
10 pt: Your pet is happy and healthy; there are no medical issues beyond routine preventative care.
R – Respiration or breathing:
1 pt: Your pet has severe episodes of difflculty breathing, coughing or open mouth breathing. They are not eating or drinking in an effort to breathe. At this point you should seek immediate medical attention for your pet.
5 pt: Your pet has occasional bouts of coughing, wheezing, or exercise intolerance. They are short (less than 2 minutes) and they are on medication from your veterinarian that can be adjusted to help.
10 pt: Your pet has no coughing, wheezing, or exercise intolerance.
N – Neatness or hygiene:
1 pt: Your pet spends time laying in their urine and/or feces. They may be unable to control their elimination or be unable to move after elimination. Your pet may have an external tumor or mass that is bleeding, foul-smelling, and infected, and you are unable to keep it clean and/or bandaged. Your pet may have pressure sores (bed sores) from lying down and being unable to move.
5 pt: Your pet may need assistance to urinate/defecate but they do not spend time lying in their waste. They are able to hold their urine/feces until they get assistance. They may have an external tumor or mass, but it can be kept clean and/or bandaged and it is not infected. They groom themselves but may need assistance in some areas (example-rear end).
10 pt: Your pet can urinate, defecate, and groom themselves without assistance. They have no medical issues that are causing them to have a bad odor. You can provide any care issues to address their hygiene: baths, a trip to the groomer, anal gland expression, teeth cleaning, etc.
E – Eating and drinking:
1 pt: Your pet is refusing food and water. They may be vomiting or having diarrhea (or both). They may be nauseous. Cats may “hang out” at the water bowl, next to it, or with their heads hanging over it.
5 pt: Your pet is eating more slowly, and is not as interested in food as they used to be. They may go back several times before they finish a meal. They are eating slightly less than usual, but are eating their regular food.
10 pt: Your pet is eating and drinking normally.
Y – You:
1 pt: You are constantly worried about your pet. You may not understand what is happening to them. You feel overwhelmed and stressed trying to provide for their needs. You may feel you are unable to provide for their needs physically, emotionally, or financially. You may be worried about how they will fare when you are away on an upcoming trip. There may be tension in the family and disagreement on how to proceed.
5 pt: You understand your pet’s condition, and are able, with some effort, to meet their needs. You may have concerns, but they are manageable.
10 pt: You are easily able to meet your pet’s needs, and not worried about any aspect of their care.
S – Social ability:
1 pt: Your pet does not spend time with the family. They may hide, become irritable or snippy, if not both. Some pets that do not enjoy being pet may not seem to care if they are pet. Perhaps your pet is unable physically to get to the room where they usually spend time with others.
5 pt: Your pet spends at least half the time with the family. They are not irritable or snippy. They happily greet you when you come home.
10 pt: Your pet enjoys you, the family, and others (including other animals they may know), They greet you at the door when you arrive home, and seek out company.
