1. What is Cat Quality of Life?

Definition: Quality of life (QoL) refers to your cat’s overall comfort, health, and ability to enjoy daily activities as it nears the end of its life due to age or illness.

Purpose: This calculator helps assess whether your cat is living comfortably or suffering, guiding decisions about hospice care or euthanasia.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the “HHHHHMM” scale (Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, More Good Days Than Bad). Score each from 1-10:

• Hurt: 10 = no pain, easy breathing; 1 = severe pain, labored breathing.
• Hunger: 10 = eating normally; 1 = not eating at all.
• Hydration: 10 = well-hydrated; 1 = severely dehydrated.
• Hygiene: 10 = clean and groomed; 1 = unable to maintain hygiene.
• Happiness: 10 = joyful and engaged; 1 = depressed or withdrawn.
• Mobility: 10 = moves easily; 1 = immobile or in pain.
• More Good Days: 10 = mostly good days; 1 = mostly bad days.

Total score ≥ 35 suggests acceptable QoL; < 35 indicates potential suffering.

3. How to Improve Quality of Life

Tips:

• Raise food/water bowls for easier access.
• Use nonskid surfaces and ensure litter box accessibility.
• Provide pain management or physical therapy (consult vet).
• Keep a calm environment and spend quality time with your cat.
• Consider medical acupuncture for pain relief.

4. When to Use This Tool

Use this calculator regularly (daily, weekly, or when conditions change) to track your cat’s QoL. It’s especially useful for cats in hospice care or with terminal illness. Consult your vet if scores drop below 35.

Cat Quality of Life Scoring Examples

Scenario	Hurt	Hunger	Hydration	Hygiene	Happiness	Mobility	Good Days	Total
Healthy Senior	8	9	9	10	8	7	9	60
Mild Illness	6	7	8	8	6	6	7	48
Severe Decline	3	4	5	4	2	3	2	23

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