The Importance of Quality of Life Assessments for Ageing Pets

For most of us, our pets are an important part of our families. Sometimes, they are our whole world. They give us unconditional love and immense joy. To keep them living long, and even more importantly, great lives, we need to ensure that the care we give is tailored to the stage of their life. As our dogs and cats get older, they will inevitably have changes develop in their bodies that will force them to change their lifestyle. With adequate veterinary care, we can delay those changes or manage the impact they have in their day-to-day so they can enjoy the most of their Golden Years.

What is a Pet Quality of Life Assessment?

A quality of life assessment for pets allows your veterinarian to take a look at your pet’s daily routine, see what their normal needs are and where they are having difficulties. It requires a holistic approach where we assess their pre-diagnosed conditions, current treatments, and the impact on their bodies. Along with what they enjoy doing, their nutrition, hygiene, the environment where they live and how their primary carer can assist. At Horizon Palliative Vets, we recommend a Quality of Life Assessment for pets to be done at home, where your pet is most comfortable and more likely to demonstrate their natural behaviours. It usually takes 1-2 hours and is followed by a written Personalised Care Plan and ongoing support.

Signs of Declining Quality of Life in Ageing Pets

Reduced mobility: most cats and dogs develop arthritis after a certain age and with that comes chronic pain. It can be difficult to identify pain/discomfort in stoic pets so most cases are untreated.

Sleeping longer hours and avoiding people/other pets: this is usually secondary to poorly managed chronic pain, they prefer to just sleep than interact.

Increased anxiety: as our pet’s mental status decline with age, we may see developing or worsening anxiety. This is sometimes most noticeable at night.

Behavioural changes: this can be seen due to increased discomfort or cognitive changes (sometimes also called “dog dementia”). Dogs that have never shown signs of aggression can become “snappy” or unpredictable in some occasions.

Why Home-Based Pet Quality of Life Assessments Are Beneficial

Home-based pet quality of life assessments provide a stress-free, familiar environment for evaluating a pet’s well-being. Unlike clinic visits, which can cause anxiety, at-home assessments allow veterinarians to observe a pet’s natural behavior, mobility, and comfort levels. This holistic approach helps pet owners make informed decisions about care, pain management, or end-of-life planning. Additionally, home evaluations strengthen the human-animal bond by prioritising a pet’s emotional and physical needs, ensuring they receive compassionate, personalised care in their most comfortable setting.

• Comfortable Environment – Pets feel more at ease in their familiar surroundings, reducing stress and anxiety compared to a vet clinic visit, allowing for a more accurate assessment of their behavior and well-being.

• Natural Behaviour Observation – At home, veterinarians can observe how pets move, eat, and interact in their normal setting, providing better insights into their mobility, pain levels, and overall quality of life.

• Personalised Care Plans – Home assessments allow for tailored recommendations based on a pet’s lifestyle, routine, and specific needs, ensuring the best possible approach to pain management, treatment, or end-of-life care.

• Strengthens the Human-Animal Bond – Keeping pets comfortable at home during assessments fosters a sense of security and love, ensuring their final days are filled with familiar, stress-free, and compassionate care.

Palliative Care and Improving Quality of Life for Your Pet

Dogs and cats in palliative care tend to have an overall improved quality of life. Sometimes, it is difficult for the primary carer to detect the small daily changes and to know what can be uncomfortable for their pet. When a Palliative Care Vet Team is involved, they will conduct a thorough pet quality of life assessment and consider all aspects of the pet’s life, including their health, behaviour and environment, to ensure their life is as comfortable as possible.

FAQS

• Why is it important to assess the quality of life of ageing pets?

  Assessing the quality of life of ageing pets is important to ensure they are comfortable, happy, and pain-free. It helps identify health issues early, allowing for early intervention and appropriate care, ultimately helping them reach their golden years.

• What are the signs of declining quality of life in ageing pets?

  Some signs that your pet’s quality of life is declining includes reduced mobility, tiredness & avoiding other pets/people, increased anxiety and other behavioural changes. Sometimes it is difficult for the pet owner to detect these small daily changes which is why it is important when your pet reaches their older years to go to the vet for frequent checkups.

• What role does pain management play in improving the quality of life for ageing pets?

  Just like human’s pain management it is important for pets to ensure they are comfortable during their final stages. Pain management can also help delay the lifestyle changes your pet may have to encounter or help manage their impact so they can enjoy the rest of their golden years.

• How can pet owners identify chronic pain in ageing pets?

  Pet owners can identify chronic pain in ageing pets by watching for signs like limping, reduced mobility, changes in appetite, behavioural changes, increased aggression or avoiding other pets/people. Regular vet check-ups can also help detect and manage chronic pain early.

• How can pet owners support their ageing pets through behavioural changes?

  Pet owners can support ageing pets through behavioural changes by providing a stable routine, offering gentle exercise, and creating a comfortable environment. Regular vet visits, patience, and extra affection can also help manage anxiety or confusion, ensuring their pets feel safe and loved.