At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital, we know that some of the hardest moments in pet ownership come when you’re faced with questions about comfort, treatment, or end-of-life care. These decisions are deeply personal, and the right choice is the one that feels right for you and your beloved pet.

Establishing a quality of life (QoL) framework can bring clarity and compassion to these conversations—helping you, your family, and your veterinary team focus on what matters most: your pet’s comfort, joy, and dignity.

A thoughtful QoL framework also gives everyone a shared language for noticing changes, discussing priorities, and making decisions that truly honor your pet’s well-being. It ensures that anyone caring for your pet—whether at home, in hospital, or while you’re away—can make consistent, compassionate choices aligned with your values.

What “Quality of Life” for Your Pet Means (and Why It’s Hard to See Changes)

Quality of life looks beyond how long your pet lives to how well they are living — their comfort, ease of movement, ability to enjoy daily routines, and the presence of joy and connection. Decline often happens gradually. As caregivers, we naturally adapt to small changes — shorter walks, skipped meals, more naps — and may not realize when “slowing down” becomes “struggling.” A structured framework helps bring those subtle shifts into focus, so you can recognize changes early and respond with compassion.

You also need to consider what matters most from your individual pet’s point of view. If, at their best, they love to chase their ball, losing that ability will have a greater impact on their wellbeing than it might for a pet whose favorite activity is curling up beside you. Some pets remain fairly happy as long as they’re comfortable and not in pain, even if they can’t be as active as before.

Alongside the key questions in the QoL framework, it helps to make a list of your pet’s favorite activities and note whether they can do them as normal, less than normal but acceptable, or not at all.

Tracking Trends: Tools to Make It Easier to Determine Quality of Life of Your Pet

Boundary Bay’s Quality of Life Framework works best when paired with simple tracking. Because day-to-day changes are easy to miss, use our Quality of Life Calendar to mark good and bad days and jot a brief note. Then, compare those notes with a tool like the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center’s “How Do I Know It’s Time?” chart for a clear, repeatable snapshot over time. Together, these tools reduce second-guessing and keep decisions anchored to your pet’s lived experience.

Click here for the full set of Ohio State University Quality of Life resources.

The Boundary Bay QoL Framework: Eight Areas to Check Regularly

Use these eight areas as regular check-ins to help guide your observations and discussions with your veterinary team. If you’re answering “yes” to many of the prompts, it’s a sign your pet is struggling and it’s time to talk.

• Pain — Shaking, trembling, or panting at rest; hiding or avoiding touch; pain meds seeming less effective.
• Mobility & Breathing — Needing help to get up; lying in one place all day; falling or losing balance; tiring quickly; struggling for breath; frequent seizures/collapse.
• Eating & Drinking — Turning down favorite treats; eating/drinking less; vomiting/diarrhea; weight loss.
• Toileting — Accidents where they rest; trouble signaling to go out; litter box avoidance.
• Grooming & Hygiene — Odor of urine; soiling; dull/matted coat; pressure sores.
• Behavior & Engagement — No longer greeting you; hiding/sleeping in unusual places; less interest; seeming unhappy, unwell, or confused.
• Caregiver Capacity — Feeling overwhelmed; worried needs aren’t being met; stressful medication routines.
• Coping Overall — More bad days than good; medications causing distress; imagining the day from your pet’s perspective.

When Quality of Life Is Changing for Your Pet: Options Before Goodbye

If your pet’s QoL seems to be declining, that doesn’t always mean it’s time to say goodbye. Talk with your Boundary Bay specialist, ER doctor, or family veterinarian. Even with serious diagnoses, there may be palliative medications or management techniques that ease discomfort and bring more good days — from pain control to mobility and hygiene support. We’ll help tailor a plan that prioritizes your pet’s dignity and your bond.

When the Bad Days Outnumber the Good

When the hard days start to outnumber the good ones, it may be time to consider whether your pet’s quality of life has declined beyond what can be comfortably managed. As heartbreaking as this realization can be, choosing humane euthanasia is often the kindest, most loving act you can make — a way to release your companion from pain and allow them to pass peacefully, with dignity and love.

At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital, our team understands that saying goodbye is never easy. We offer in-hospital euthanasia and can also coordinate or refer for home euthanasia when that setting feels most right for your family. We’ll explain every step of the process, answer your questions, and support your choices. You’re welcome to be present with your pet, hold them, and speak softly to them — your familiar voice and touch can bring comfort in their final moments.

It can help to prepare emotionally and practically: talk with family so everyone understands and supports the decision; decide on the setting (in-hospital or at home) and any comforting details (favorite blanket, quiet music, a private space); consider aftercare and memorial options (cremation, burial, or personal remembrances); and give yourself permission to grieve.

Alongside our medical team at Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital, our in-hospital social worker is available to support you and your family with both emotional and practical guidance — from talking through quality-of-life questions and logistics to being present on the day and offering follow-up grief support. Ask our team how to access this resource.

For additional guidance, PDSA offers a compassionate overview of what to expect and how to prepare in When It’s Time to Say Goodbye.

You may also find supportive articles and grief resources through Ohio State University’s Honoring the Bond program.

A Supportive Partnership

At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital, we see every stage of your pet’s journey as a partnership. Our role is to support you with medical insight, emotional care, and empathy — so that whatever decision you make, it’s guided by love, compassion, and an honest understanding of your pet’s experience.

By using this QoL framework and keeping simple notes over time, you give yourself the tools to make confident, compassionate choices — ones that honor your pet’s dignity and the extraordinary bond you share.