How to thoughtfully assess the comfort, dignity, and joy of your pet’s life, one pillar at a time.

Love & Toe Beans - Brisbane Home Pet Euthanasia & Pet Cremation - Servicing Greater Brisbane Region

At Love & Toe Beans, we understand that watching a beloved pet slow down, struggle, or change is one of the hardest journeys a pet parent can face. Whether your furry friend is aging gracefully, living with chronic illness, or recovering from injury, it’s natural and profoundly loving to ask:

“Are they still enjoying life?”
“Are we doing enough… or too much?”
“How will I know when it’s time to let go?”

These questions come from the deepest kind of devotion. And while there is no perfect formula, there are gentle ways to check in and reflect with honesty and compassion.

Below, we take a heart felt dive into the seven core pillars of Quality of Life (QOL) for pets, offering practical questions, examples, and loving guidance to help you see your pet’s experience more clearly.

🩺 1. Pain and Discomfort:

Is your pet hurting, even subtly?

Pain doesn’t always yelp or limp. Our pets are wired to hide pain, sometimes to protect themselves, sometimes to protect us. They may still eat, walk, and "seem okay," even when they’re not.

Ask yourself:

Do they hesitate when standing, sitting, lying down, moving around or climbing stairs?
Have they become irritable, withdrawn, or easily startled?
Are they spending more time alone and isolating themselves or are they seeking out more comfort from you than previously and are clinging to you?
Are they licking, biting, or over-grooming a certain area?
Do they pant, pace, or tremble without an obvious reason?
Have they stopped sleeping through the night?
Is their posture stiff, hunched, or guarded?
Do they groan, whimper, or breathe heavily?
Are they losing muscle mass around a particular area like their hips or spine?

Example:

Your dog still eats and goes for short walks, but now avoids the couch and softly cries when you touch near the hips. Even if they're “still doing things,” this is pain and a quiet call for help.

🦴 2. Mobility and Independence:

Can they move safely and comfortably?

Mobility isn’t just about walking. It’s about confidence, dignity, and safety in movement. As pets lose balance or strength, even everyday actions can become stressful or scary.

Ask yourself:

Can they walk without slipping, limping, or falling?
Are they able to rise and lie down without assistance?
Do they avoid stairs, rugs, or their usual paths?
Have they stopped visiting favourite places?
Are they struggling with balance during toileting?
Are they able to see where they are going or are they bumping into things?

Example:

Your cat used to perch in the window. Now she stays on the floor, slips when jumping, and avoids the upstairs litter box.

Tip from Love & Toe Beans: Anti-slip rugs, pet ramps, and stair aids, night lights and lower sided litter trays can make a big difference in extending independence and comfort.

🧼 3. Hygiene and Dignity:

Can they toilet and groom themselves?

Cleanliness matters more than we realise, for comfort, yes, but also for dignity and pride. Pets instinctively avoid soiling themselves or their space. When they can't avoid this, many become anxious, confused, or ashamed.

Ask yourself:

Are they having frequent accidents despite regular breaks?
Can they still access the litter box or outdoor areas?
Do they lie in soiled bedding or remain in one spot?
Has their coat become greasy, matted, or unkempt?
Are there signs of urine scald, fecal staining, or pressure sores?

Example:

Your senior dog soils herself while sleeping and avoids eye contact afterward. She seems distressed and no longer attempts to clean herself.

Gentle reminder: Temporary incontinence is often manageable. But if it causes ongoing distress or impairs their dignity, it's a significant quality of life concern.

🍽️ 4. Appetite and Hydration:

Are they interested in food and water?

“She’s still eating” is something we often hear. And it can be a good sign, but not always. Pets may eat out of habit, or even to please us, while still feeling unwell.

Ask yourself:

Do they eat and drink consistently, without coaxing or force?
Are they still excited by favourite treats or meals?
Is their weight stable, or are they losing muscle despite eating?
Are they vomiting, drooling, or showing signs of nausea?
Do they struggle to chew, swallow, or keep food down?
Are they drinking too much or too little?

Example:

Your dog eats only when hand-fed, and their weight is dropping. Mealtimes have become tense and emotionally draining.

Ask gently: Are they truly hungry or are they just trying to keep going for you?

Important thing to note: Some dogs will continue to eat despite having a very poor quality of life and thus this cannot always be used as a reliable pillar for assessing Quality of Life.

💗 5. Emotional Wellbeing:

Are they content, curious, and connected?

Pets can experience emotional suffering just like we do. Confusion, anxiety, and depression are common, especially when physical decline limits their ability to engage with their world.

Ask yourself:

Do they still seek your affection and attention?
Are they anxious and clinging to you more?
Do they respond to your voice, presence, or routine?
Are they showing signs of confusion or fear?
Have they stopped reacting to things they used to love?
Do they seem blank, disconnected, or “checked out”?
Are they wondering aimlessly and are they less able to settle?

Example:

Your usually social cat now hides most of the day and flinches at touch. She no longer responds when you call her name.

What this may mean: Emotional withdrawal can be a sign your pet is gently slipping away and needs support to find peace.

🎾 6. Joy and Engagement:

Do they still experience pleasure?

Life isn’t just about functioning, it’s about moments of joy. Even in aging or illness, a tail wag, a purr, a spark of playfulness speaks volumes.

Ask yourself:

Do they still get excited by toys, walks, or food?
Are they showing any signs of happiness or curiosity?
Do they wag, purr, tail-thump, or light up around you?
Have they stopped engaging in any play or interaction?
Are their eyes still bright, focused, and expressive?
Have they lost their spark?

Example:

Your dog used to greet you with joy. Now, he barely lifts his head when you walk in. Even words like “walk” no longer spark a response.

A hard truth: If joy is gone and not returning, it may mean their emotional and physical energy is truly fading.

📅 7. More Good Days Than Bad:

Is the balance still tipped toward joy?

Perhaps one of the most telling measure is this: Are there still more good days than bad?

Try this simple tracking method:

Use a calendar or journal to log each day:
🟢 Good | 🟡 Okay | 🔴 Bad
Make quick notes: "Ate dinner,” “Slept well,” “Struggled to stand,” “Tail wagged at bedtime”
Review trends weekly, not just daily
Look for patterns, not isolated rough days

📥 Download our printable QOL Tracker to help monitor patterns over time LTB QOL Tracker monthly by LTB" target="_blank">here

When to worry:

If bad days are becoming more frequent, and the good days no longer feel truly joyful, it might be time to shift from fighting for time… to honouring comfort and closure.

🫶 Listen With Your Heart

No checklist, scorecard, or chart can tell you what your pet’s heart is trying to say. Their eyes, posture, behavior, and energy speak a language only you truly know.

If you feel lost or overwhelmed, that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you love them deeply.

At Love & Toe Beans, we’re here for the conversations that feel impossible. The quiet fears. The “not yet, but maybe soon” thoughts. The heartbreaking love that wants to do what’s best, even when it hurts.

Because sometimes, the kindest choice… is also the hardest.

You don’t have to do this alone.
You’re not selfish.
You’re not giving up.
You’re giving them everything.

And when the time comes, we’ll be here, beside you with grace, honesty, and love.

💛 In the End, It’s About Love

Quality of life isn’t just about staying alive. It’s about living well, feeling safe, connected, clean, curious, and loved.

And when those things fade, our role as guardians shifts. We become the ones who help them rest. With peace. With dignity. With all the love they’ve ever given us.

Because loving our pets means holding them close…

…and knowing when to let them go.

If you need support, reach out to us here

For more Pet Quality of Life Resources click here

With Love (& Toe Beans),

The Love & Toe Beans Team 💛

🐾 Quality of Life in Pets: A Deep Dive into What Really Matters & When to Consider Home Euthanasia