The Wise Wag Week 23 - Quality of Life Assessments for Senior Dogs

There may come a point in your senior dog’s journey where you start to wonder, "Are they still enjoying life? Are they comfortable? How do I know when it’s time to say goodbye?"

These are heartbreaking questions, but also an important act of love. One of the kindest things we can do for our aging companions is to recognize when their quality of life is declining and help them transition peacefully, before the suffering outweighs the joy.

Measuring Comfort and Happiness

A Quality of Life (QOL) assessment can help you evaluate your dog’s physical and emotional well-being with more clarity. Look at their days as a whole:

Are they eating and drinking well?
Can they move comfortably without significant pain?
Are they still engaging with you or their environment?
Can they rest without struggling or distress?
Do they have more good days than bad?

Even small joys — a tail wag, a gentle sniff on a walk, a moment of connection — matter. But if those moments are becoming fewer, or replaced by confusion, pain, or exhaustion, it may be time to talk with your vet about next steps.

If you'd like a guide, we recommend printing or tracking a QOL scale over time to help you and your vet make informed, compassionate decisions. A tool like the H5M2 Quality of Life Scale (Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, More good days than bad) is often helpful.

It's Okay to Say Goodbye on a Good Day

One of the hardest but most loving truths is this: you don’t have to wait for a “bad day” to make the decision.

Choosing to let your dog go while they still have dignity, comfort, and peace, even if they seem to be having a “good” moment, can be a final gift, rather than risking a painful emergency or prolonged suffering.

And you're not alone in this decision. Lean on your vet, your family, and trusted resources to help you weigh what’s best for your dog and for you.

Learn what to expect if you're considering in-home euthanasia for your dog.

Saying goodbye is never easy, but it can be filled with love, grace, and gratitude for all the years you’ve shared.

Coming up next week: We’ll be talking about caring for yourself while caring for your senior dog — because your emotional well-being matters just as much during this journey.

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