Dog Quality of Life Calculator
Assess your dog’s wellbeing across 7 key dimensions
Rate each area from 1 (very poor) to 5 (excellent)
Assessing Your Dog’s Quality of Life
The dog quality of life calculator above is based on the HHHHHMM Scale developed by Dr. Alice Villalobos — a palliative care framework used by vets worldwide. It helps pet owners make informed, compassionate decisions for aging or ill dogs.
The 7 Dimensions of Dog Quality of Life
| Dimension | What to Assess | Good Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Hurt | Pain level | Calm, not crying out |
| Hunger | Appetite | Eats on their own |
| Hydration | Water intake | Moist gums, elastic skin |
| Hygiene | Cleanliness | No sores or matting |
| Happiness | Mental state | Responsive, engaged |
| Mobility | Movement | Gets up and around |
| More good days | Overall balance | Good days outnumber bad |
FAQs
How do I know when my dog’s quality of life is too poor?
When more than 2-3 dimensions score poorly and cannot be improved with treatment, and when scores are consistently below 14/35, it may be time for a compassionate conversation with your veterinarian about end-of-life care options.
How often should I assess my dog’s quality of life?
For dogs with serious illness or advanced age, reassessing weekly helps you make timely, compassionate decisions. Keep a journal of scores and share them at vet visits.
Conclusion
Our dog quality of life calculator is a compassionate tool to help guide difficult decisions. For day-to-day health support, use our weight calculator and calorie calculator to keep your dog physically well for as long as possible.