Cat Quality of Life Calculator

💚 You're Not Alone in This Decision

This assessment tool is designed to help you objectively evaluate your cat's quality of life. It does not replace professional veterinary guidance. Please consult with your veterinarian about your cat's specific situation. Your love and care for your companion is evident in seeking this information.

Assess your cat's quality of life using the veterinary-validated HHHHHMM Scale developed by Dr. Alice Villalobos. This compassionate tool evaluates seven key factors - Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More good days than bad - to help you and your veterinarian make informed decisions about your cat's care and well-being.

Quality of Life Assessment

Rate each category from 0-10, where 0 is unacceptable and 10 is ideal/excellent

1. Hurt - Pain Management

Is your cat's pain well controlled? Can they breathe comfortably without difficulty? Consider pain medication effectiveness.

Score: 10

0 - Severe pain 10 - No pain

2. Hunger - Appetite & Eating

Is your cat eating enough? Does hand-feeding or special food help? Consider food interest and intake.

Score: 10

0 - Not eating 10 - Normal appetite

3. Hydration - Water Intake

Is your cat drinking enough water? Are they well-hydrated? Check gums and skin elasticity.

Score: 10

0 - Dehydrated 10 - Well hydrated

4. Hygiene - Cleanliness & Grooming

Can your cat groom themselves? Are they clean? Consider need for assistance with hygiene.

Score: 10

0 - Cannot groom 10 - Self-grooming well

5. Happiness - Mental Well-being

Does your cat express interest in surroundings? Do they respond to family? Consider engagement and mental state.

Score: 10

0 - Withdrawn 10 - Engaged & alert

6. Mobility - Movement & Activity

Can your cat move around adequately? Can they reach litter box, food, and water? Consider assistance needed.

Score: 10

0 - Cannot move 10 - Normal mobility

7. More Good Days Than Bad

Overall, does your cat have more good days than bad? Consider enjoyment of life and suffering level.

Score: 10

0 - All bad days 10 - All good days

Understanding the HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale

Scoring Guidelines

Total Score Interpretation:

\( \text{Total Score} = \sum_{i=1}^{7} \text{Category Score}_i \)

Sum of all seven categories. Maximum possible score is 70 (10 points × 7 categories).

Average Score Calculation:

\( \text{Average Score} = \frac{\text{Total Score}}{7} \)

The average score per category helps identify overall quality of life trends.

Clinical Threshold:

\( \text{Acceptable QOL} \iff \text{Total} > 35 \text{ AND each category} \geq 5 \)

A score above 35 overall AND above 5 in each individual category suggests acceptable quality of life, according to veterinary guidelines.

Score Interpretation Guide

Good Quality (50-70)

Your cat's quality of life is good. Continue current care and monitoring. Regular veterinary checkups recommended to maintain this level of well-being.

Fair Quality (35-49)

Quality of life is acceptable but declining. Consult your veterinarian about improving problem areas. Consider palliative care options to enhance comfort.

Poor Quality (Below 35)

Quality of life is compromised. Schedule urgent veterinary consultation to discuss treatment options or end-of-life care. Your cat may be suffering.

Detailed Category Guidance

Category	What to Assess	Good Signs (7-10)	Concerning Signs (0-4)
Hurt	Pain level, breathing comfort	Relaxed, normal breathing, no pain signs	Crying, hiding, difficulty breathing, reluctant to move
Hunger	Interest in food, eating adequately	Eager to eat, normal appetite, maintaining weight	Refusing food, requires hand feeding, significant weight loss
Hydration	Drinking water, hydration status	Drinking regularly, moist gums, good skin elasticity	Not drinking, dry gums, sunken eyes, needs subcutaneous fluids
Hygiene	Grooming ability, cleanliness	Self-grooming, clean coat, using litter box properly	Cannot groom, matted fur, soiling themselves, avoiding litter box
Happiness	Mental engagement, responsiveness	Alert, responsive, interested in surroundings, purring	Withdrawn, anxious, fearful, no response to family
Mobility	Movement, getting around	Moving independently, reaching food/water/litter	Cannot stand, falling, unable to reach necessities
More Good Days	Overall quality, good vs bad days	Enjoying life, more comfortable than not	More bad days, constant suffering, no enjoyment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good quality of life score for a cat?

A total score above 35 out of 70 (average of 5 per category) suggests acceptable quality of life according to the HHHHHMM Scale developed by Dr. Alice Villalobos. Ideally, each individual category should score 5 or higher. Scores of 50-70 indicate good quality of life, while scores below 35 suggest significant concerns that warrant immediate veterinary consultation.

How often should I assess my cat's quality of life?

For cats with chronic or terminal illnesses, assess quality of life every 1-3 days using this scale. For senior cats or those with stable chronic conditions, weekly assessments are appropriate. Keep a written record to track trends over time. Sudden declines in multiple categories warrant immediate veterinary attention. Regular assessment helps you make timely decisions about care adjustments or end-of-life considerations.

What does the HHHHHMM scale stand for?

HHHHHMM stands for the seven quality of life factors: Hurt (pain control), Hunger (eating), Hydration (drinking), Hygiene (cleanliness), Happiness (mental well-being), Mobility (movement), and More good days than bad. This acronym was developed by Dr. Alice Villalobos, a veterinary oncologist, to provide a standardized way for pet owners and veterinarians to objectively assess a pet's quality of life, especially when making end-of-life decisions.

When should I consider euthanasia for my cat?

Consider euthanasia when your cat's quality of life score consistently falls below 35, when multiple categories score below 5, or when bad days significantly outnumber good days. Other indicators include unmanageable pain despite medication, inability to eat or drink, severe breathing difficulty, or complete loss of interest in life. This is a deeply personal decision that should be made in consultation with your veterinarian, who can assess your cat's medical condition and prognosis. Choosing euthanasia is an act of compassion to prevent suffering.

Can quality of life scores improve with treatment?

Yes, quality of life scores can improve with appropriate veterinary treatment, pain management, dietary changes, or environmental modifications. If your cat scores in the fair range (35-49), discuss treatment options with your veterinarian. Many cats with chronic conditions can maintain good quality of life for months or years with proper management. Regular reassessment helps determine if interventions are effective. However, if scores continue declining despite treatment, it may indicate disease progression requiring different care decisions.

Should I let my other pets say goodbye?

Yes, allowing other pets to see their deceased companion can help with their grieving process. Pets understand death and may search for missing companions if they don't have closure. After euthanasia, let your other pets sniff and spend brief time with the body. They may show confusion, sadness, or indifference - all are normal reactions. Maintain routines for surviving pets and provide extra attention during their adjustment period, which typically lasts 1-6 months.

Additional Resources & Support

📞 Veterinary Consultation

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss your cat's quality of life assessment and explore treatment or palliative care options.

🏥 Hospice & Palliative Care

Consider veterinary hospice services that focus on comfort care, pain management, and quality of life for cats with terminal illnesses.

💚 Grief Support

Pet loss support groups and counseling services can help you process grief. Many veterinary schools offer free pet loss hotlines.

💚 You're Not Alone in This Decision