Cat Quality of Life Calculator
Based on the HHHHHMM Scale used by veterinarians
Rate each factor from 0 (worst) to 10 (best)
😥 Hurt — Is pain well controlled? 5/10
💚 Hunger — Is your cat eating? 5/10
💧 Hydration — Is your cat drinking? 5/10
🤭 Hygiene — Is your cat clean & grooming? 5/10
😊 Happiness — Does your cat show joy? 5/10
👣 Mobility — Can your cat move around? 5/10
⚖️ More Good Days — Good days outnumber bad? 5/10
What Is the Cat Quality of Life Scale?
The HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale was developed by veterinary oncologist Dr. Alice Villalobos to help pet owners objectively assess their cat’s wellbeing, especially when facing serious illness or end-of-life decisions. It evaluates seven key factors: Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More Good Days. Each is scored 0–10, with a maximum total of 70. A score above 35 generally indicates an acceptable quality of life.
Understanding Each Quality of Life Factor
🔴 Hurt
Is your cat’s pain being managed effectively? Signs of uncontrolled pain include hiding, hissing when touched, grinding teeth, reluctance to move, and laboured breathing. Pain management is the most critical factor in quality of life.
💚 Hunger
Is your cat eating enough to maintain body weight? Appetite loss is one of the earliest signs of illness in cats. If your cat needs encouragement to eat, consider warming food, offering wet food, or trying appetite stimulants under vet guidance.
💧 Hydration
Dehydration is common in sick cats. Check by gently pinching the skin — it should snap back immediately. Encourage hydration with wet food, water fountains, or ask your vet about subcutaneous fluids.
🤭 Hygiene
Can your cat keep themselves clean? Cats that stop grooming are often in pain or too weak to care for themselves. Regular gentle grooming by the owner can significantly improve comfort.
😊 Happiness
Does your cat still respond to family, show curiosity, or seek affection? Engagement with their environment is a positive sign. A cat that is withdrawn, always hiding, or unresponsive may be suffering.
👣 Mobility
Can your cat move around enough to reach food, water, and litter? Mobility issues can often be improved with pain management, ramps, orthopaedic beds, or joint supplements.
⚖️ More Good Days Than Bad
This is the most subjective but often most important factor. Are the good days outweighing the difficult ones? Keeping a daily diary helps identify patterns that may not be visible in the moment.
When to Have the End-of-Life Conversation with Your Vet
A quality of life score below 35 doesn’t automatically mean euthanasia is the right choice — but it does mean it’s time for an honest conversation with your vet. Many factors can improve with palliative care, pain management, or dietary changes. A blood test can help identify treatable conditions that may be impacting quality of life.
FAQs
How do I know when my cat is suffering?
Key signs include persistent hiding, crying or vocalising in pain, refusal to eat or drink, inability to use the litter box, laboured breathing, and no longer responding to family. These warrant an immediate vet visit.
What is a good quality of life score for a cat?
A score of 35 or above out of 70 is generally considered acceptable. Scores below 35 indicate the cat may be experiencing more suffering than comfort, and end-of-life care should be discussed with your vet.
Conclusion
Assessing your cat’s quality of life is one of the most loving things you can do as a pet parent. Use our cat quality of life calculator regularly to track changes over time and share the results with your vet. To understand your cat’s age-related needs better, visit our cat age calculator.
This is a difficult topic — if you need support, your vet and the Pet Loss Support Hotline are here for you.