These are the questions you are probably asking yourself:
Most vets are highly trained at observing our pets and can help guide you if your pet is in pain or distress.
It’s a bit more difficult to do on your own, especially if you live with them at home. It is easy to miss slow decline in health, or subtle changes in behaviour.
You can download a PDF of this assessment to print off: Download PDF.
A guide on what am I looking for?
Tick (or mark Yes or No).
When the text says “he”, please read “she” as well.
Many animals do not complain in obvious, visible ways.
Many animals (especially cats) will hide their discomfort.
Consider the following:
____My pet hurts.
____My pet limps (if it didn’t hurt, he wouldn’t limp.)
____My pet pants frequently, even at rest.
____My pet’s respirations are forced, exaggerated, or otherwise not normal.
____My pet licks repeatedly at one site on her body or at a site of a cancer/tumour.
____My pet guards or protects and area of his body and may snap if that area is approached or touched.
____My animal’s posture is abnormal or different than normal.
____My pet shakes or trembles sometimes during rest.
____My pet is on pain medication and it doesn’t work.
Appetite is one of the most obvious signs of wellness. Most animals are normally vigorous eaters. Consider the following:
____My pet doesn’t eat his normal food anymore.
____My pet picks at her food now but never used to do this.
____My pet walks over to his food and looks at it but won’t eat or walks away from the food.
____My pet doesn’t even want good stuff (treats, human foods, snacks) anymore.
____My pet acts nauseas or vomits.
____My pet is losing weight.
Hydration status is equally important as appetite. Dehydration can contribute to weakness and not feeling well. Consider the following:
____My pet doesn’t drink as much as she used to.
____My pet frequently has dry, sticky gums.
____My pet is vomiting or has diarrhoea.
Animals that don’t feel well, especially cats, do not have the energy to maintain normal hair and skin. Consider the following:
____My cat doesn’t groom herself any more.
____My pets hair is matted, greasy, rough looking, dull, or foul smelling.
____My pet has stool pasted around his rectum or in his hair.
____My pet smells like urine or has skin irritation from urine.
____My pet has pressure sores/wounds that won’t heal.
Changes in normal activity can be due to mobility problems, pain, illness, or aging (arthritis). Consider the following:
____My pet cannot get up without assistance.
____My pet had a hard time getting around and/or limps.
____My pet lays in one place all day long.
____My pet does not want to play ball, go for walks, or do the things he used to do.
____My pet falls frequently.
Another important area of consideration is your pet’s mental status and happiness. Consider the following:
____My pet does not express joy and interest in life.
____My pet does not respond to the people that he used to respond to.
____My pet does not want to play with toys or do other things that he used to enjoy.
____My pet seems dull, not alert, or depressed.
Changes in normal behavioural patterns are often a key indicator of how your pet is feeling. Consider the following:
____My pet is hiding or sleeping in odd places.
____My pet doesn’t greet me when I come home and he used to.
____My pet is overly clingy and is following me around and he never used to do this.
____My other pets are treating my pet differently and they are overly attentive or ignoring him completely.
____My pet doesn’t care about what is going on around him.
Many times you, the ‘parent’ or owner is aware that your pet is suffering but do not want to give up on them. Consider the following:
____I wouldn’t want to live if I were in a similar situation.
____I would be painful if I were in a similar situation.
____I have made appointments for euthanasia for this pet cancelled or didn’t show up.
____I am holding onto this pet for a sentimental (personal) reason.
____ My pet is having more bad days than good days.
Adapted from Quality of Life Scale, Veterinary Practice News, June 2006, pg. 24