Cat Senior Wellness Quality of Life Assessment

Quality of life assessment in senior cats uses validated tools to guide management decisions and end-of-life planning.

Key Facts

Validated feline quality of life scales assess pain, appetite, hygiene, happiness and mobility
The HHHHHMM scale (hurt, hunger, hydration, hygiene, happiness, mobility, more good days than bad) provides structure
Regular scoring tracks welfare trends over time rather than single point-in-time assessment
Owner-completed assessments capture home behaviour missed in clinical consultations
Quality of life tools support end-of-life decision-making by making welfare assessment more objective

Welfare Considerations

Quality of life assessment in senior cats provides a structured framework for welfare monitoring and end-of-life decision-making. Regular use of validated scales tracks trends over time and supports informed decisions about when palliative care transitions to end-of-life options.

What You Can Do

Use validated quality of life scales monthly for senior cats with chronic conditions
Share quality of life assessment scores with your vet at each consultation
Discuss end-of-life planning proactively using quality of life data rather than waiting for crisis