Recognizing the Signs: When Your Pet’s Quality of Life Changes
The nature of Eternal Tides’ business is forever tried to inevitable “bad days” for people who love their animals. For some people, the end comes quickly and without much warning; others endure a slow march with different signs of declining health and comfort. Hard is hard… regardless of how it comes, losing a friend is hard. In this series, I aim to explore the theme of “How to Know When It’s Time to Say Goodbye to a Pet.”
Part 1: Recognizing the Signs
Deciding when it’s time to say goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy. As pets age or face chronic illnesses, their quality of life changes and leaves pet owners with difficult decisions. Recognizing the signs of decline is the first step toward making compassionate choices for your furry friend.
A veterinarian recently shared her perspective with me about what to look for in your pet; she said, “make a list of the five things your pet likes to do the most, and when three of those five are no longer happening with ease it’s time to have the hard discussion.” What, then, should we look for?
One of the most important indicators of a pet’s well-being is their mobility. Pets who struggle to move, whether due to arthritis, injury, or general weakness, may no longer enjoy their favorite activities. Appetite changes can also signal a shift in health. A once enthusiastic eater who now shows disinterest in food may be experiencing pain or illness. Additionally, watch for social indicators: pets who withdraw from family interactions, hide, or display changes in behavior might be communicating discomfort or distress (McMillan, 2019). While it may be more common/observable in cats, poor grooming is an indicator of declining comfort: sometimes it’s just hard to reach those places. In some cases, aggression and quickness to respond negatively can also indicate a profound discomfort in your animal.
It is crucial to differentiate between temporary illness and long-term decline. While a short-term illness may respond well to treatment, ongoing deterioration, especially when coupled with advanced age or chronic conditions, often signals a deeper issue. Consulting a veterinarian for a thorough assessment can provide clarity and guide the next steps (Cooney & Cecil, 2021).
To help pet owners navigate this challenging time, Dr. Alice Villalobos developed the "Quality of Life Scale," a tool that assesses factors such as pain, hydration, mobility, and enjoyment of life (Villalobos, 2011). This scale offers a structured approach to evaluating a pet’s condition, allowing families to make informed and compassionate decisions.
Ultimately, recognizing these signs and seeking professional guidance can ensure that pets experience love, comfort, and dignity throughout their final days.
References
Cooney, K. A., & Cecil, A. (2021). Veterinary hospice and palliative care. Wiley-Blackwell.
McMillan, F. D. (2019). Mental health and well-being in animals. CABI.
Villalobos, A. (2011). The quality of life scale: HHHHHMM scale. In Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology: Honoring the Human-Animal Bond (pp. 123-127). Wiley-Blackwell.
