What the seven areas mean
- Hurt: Is pain well controlled? Can your pet breathe comfortably? Pain management comes first.
- Hunger: Is your pet eating enough, willingly? Are they keeping weight on?
- Hydration: Are they drinking enough and staying hydrated (no dry gums or sunken eyes)?
- Hygiene: Can they stay clean and dry, free of sores and matting, especially after toileting?
- Happiness: Do they still show interest, respond to you, and enjoy things they used to?
- Mobility: Can they move enough to do what they need — get up, reach food and the toilet area?
- More good days than bad: Over a week, do the good days still outweigh the hard ones?
How to use it well
This scale is most powerful over time. Score it regularly, jot the number on a calendar, and mark each day as 😊 good or 😔 hard. A gentle downward trend, or bad days starting to outnumber good ones, is more meaningful than any single result — and gives you and your vet something concrete to talk about.
Frequently asked questions
What score means my pet is suffering?
On this scale, a total consistently below about 35/70 — or any one area that can't be kept comfortable, like uncontrolled pain — is a sign to talk with your vet right away about comfort and options.
Is it selfish to keep my pet going?
No — and neither is choosing peace. The kindest measure is your pet's comfort and enjoyment, not the calendar. Your vet can help you weigh it honestly and without guilt.
What support is there?
Ask your vet about pain management, palliative/hospice care, and in-home options. Many areas also have pet-loss support lines and counsellors — you don't have to carry it alone.
Related: dog age calculator · cat age calculator · common pet conditions.