How Do I Know When It’s Time to Put My Pet to Sleep?

A Pet Quality of Life Assessment.

Navigating the difficult decision of in-home euthanasia is a profound act of love. As experts in veterinary end-of-life care in Sarasota and Manatee counties, we’re here to help. Our quality of life assessment is a tool to help you find clarity and evaluate your pet’s current well-being.

The HHHHHMM Scale

Developed by Dr. Alice Villalobos, a veterinary oncologist and the founder of Pawspice, a quality of life program for terminally ill pets. The letters stand for Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility and More good days than bad. Think about each question and give a score of 1 (very poor) to 10 (excellent).

Hurt

Is your pet’s pain, discomfort or difficulty breathing successfully managed with medication and/or treatments ?

Score: _______/ 10

Hunger

Is your pet eating enough on their own? Do you need to hand-feed or coax them to eat?

Score: _______/ 10

Hydration

Is your pet drinking enough water to stay hydrated? Do they need supplemental fluids?

Score: _______/ 10

Hygiene

Is your pet able to stay clean? Can they avoid soiling themselves, or are you able to keep them clean and well-groomed?

Score: _______/ 10

Happiness

Does your pet still experience joy? Are they responsive to you, family, or their favorite toys? Are they lonely, anxious, or depressed?

Score: _______/ 10

Mobility

Can your pet get up and move around on their own? Do they need your help or special equipment to get around or go outside to eliminate?

Score: _______/ 10

More Good Days Than Bad

Are there more days filled with positive experiences than days filled with pain, nausea, or frustration?

Score: _______/ 10

Your Next Step in the Journey

This assessment is a tool to help you visualize your pet’s current situation and find clarity on the difficult decision of in-home euthanasia. For a more detailed understanding and a precise percentage score, you can take a deeper step with our full quality of life questionnaire for your dog or cat. Along with guidance from Dr. Wendy’s extensive experience with pets large and small, a background in training and behavior, and a compassionate, holistic approach. When you are ready, please give us a call to discuss any questions or concerns you may have..
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