Assessing Your Pet’s Quality of Life

As devoted pet guardians, we develop strong bonds with our animals and can become quite adept at noticing even the slightest changes in their behavior. Though the aging process can certainly take its toll, a marked decrease in the energy level of your cat or dog doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t still have enjoyable years left. At the same time, animals experiencing great pain won’t always make a demonstrable show of their condition.It can be difficult to assess quality of life in sick, injured and aging animals. It’s important to know what to look for, especially if you’re considering euthanasia. Have a veterinary professional assess their overall health and well-being. After that, the determination is largely based on your own intuition and personal understanding of your beloved pet. Closely monitoring these key behaviors can aid your assessment:Eating and Drinking:If your pet is avoiding his/food and water dish, it could be a sign that quality of life is suffering. Monitor their consumption habits closely, as malnutrition can develop quickly when an animal no longer feels compelled to eat.Mobility: Mobility is degenerative in all living things and is to be expected as an animal ages. However, if a lack of mobility is prohibiting your pet from performing basic life activities (e.g. relieving themselves), it could be a strong indicator of low quality of life.Demeanor: Is your pet excited to see you? Do they interact with the world around them? Animals that are in pain will often show a lack of interest in things that once caused happiness.Good vs. Bad Days:Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and general frustration are all signs of a bad day. When these start to outnumber the good, it could indicate poor quality of life.Accurately assessing your pet’s quality of life is key in deciding how to care for an ailing pet. If you ultimately decide that ending your pet’s suffering is the most compassionate choice, in-home euthanasia is a very humane option. For a free consultation, give Gentle Journey a call at 602-332-7757 and we’ll walk you through the processs. If you’d like to learn more, please visit us online: