Recognising Quality of Life Changes

“How will I know when it is time?” This is perhaps the most difficult question a pet parent ever faces, and it is one that does not have a simple answer.

The truth is that for most families, it is not a single moment of clarity but a gradual shift. There may be good days and bad days, and the balance between them slowly changes. The role of quality of life assessment is to help you observe this shift with as much clarity and compassion as possible.

No one expects you to get this perfectly right. There is no “correct” moment — only the most loving choice you can make with the information you have at the time.

While every pet is different, the following changes may indicate that quality of life is declining significantly:

• Loss of appetite — refusing food entirely, or eating only tiny amounts even of favourite treats
• Chronic pain — that is not being adequately managed by medication, shown through panting, restlessness, whimpering, or withdrawal
• Inability to move comfortably — difficulty standing, walking to food or water, or reaching their toilet area
• Loss of interest — no longer responding to family members, toys, or activities that once brought joy
• More bad days than good — the balance has shifted, and the difficult days outnumber the comfortable ones
• Incontinence — causing distress to the pet (some pets are not bothered; for others, it causes anxiety)
• Difficulty breathing — laboured, rapid, or distressed breathing
• Withdrawal — hiding, seeking isolation, or turning away from interaction

No single sign on its own means it is time. It is the overall picture — the accumulation of changes and the trend over days and weeks — that matters most.

Many vets suggest keeping a simple good day / bad day calendar. At the end of each day, note whether it was a good day, a bad day, or somewhere in between.

A good day might look like: eating with some enthusiasm, moving without significant distress, showing interest in the family, resting comfortably, and having moments of contentment.

A bad day might look like: refusing food, showing signs of pain that are not relieved by medication, difficulty getting up or moving, withdrawal from the family, or visible distress.

Over time, this calendar helps you see the trend. When the bad days begin to consistently outnumber the good, it may be time to have a conversation with your vet about next steps.

This is not a decision you need to make alone. Lean on your vet, your family, and any support resources available to you.