Feline & Canine Quality-of-Life Assessment
For cats and dogs with chronic or terminal illness · daily monitoring · end-of-life guidance
For cats and dogs with chronic or terminal illness · daily monitoring · end-of-life guidance
This tool is designed for cats with known chronic or terminal illness.
It is not for acute presentations — including severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new injury, or bleeding — where immediate veterinary care is warranted.
Breathing score 3 or 4 — this is higher than expected for a comfortable chronic patient. If your cat is breathing with mouth open or appears distressed, attend an emergency clinic now — Animal Emergency Service (AES), 1 Lexington Road, Underwood QLD 4119, 07 3423 1888. Otherwise contact your vet today.
Eating or drinking score 4 — this is a concern in a chronic patient. Note when this started and contact your vet today.
Pain score 3 or 4 — this is higher than expected for a comfortable chronic patient. Note the time and contact your vet today to discuss pain management.
Mobility score 4 — your cat is unable to get up or move comfortably. Contact your vet today to discuss. If this has come on suddenly rather than gradually, seek advice sooner.
Bowel score 4 — this level of change in a chronic patient warrants a call to your vet today. Do not wait until the next scheduled visit.
Resting breathing rate above 60 per minute — this requires urgent veterinary attention. Contact your vet immediately or attend an emergency clinic — Animal Emergency Service (AES), 1 Lexington Road, Underwood QLD 4119, 07 3423 1888.
Wait until your cat is asleep or fully resting. Watch their chest and count how many times it rises in 30 seconds. Multiply that number by 2 — this is their resting breathing rate. In many cats, a resting breathing rate under 30 breaths per minute is considered reassuring. If the rate persistently stays above 40, especially if your cat seems tired or is breathing with increased effort, contact your vet. Open-mouth breathing, marked distress, or a resting breathing rate above 60 breaths per minute should be treated as an emergency — attend a veterinary clinic immediately.
Counting your cat's breaths at rest is particularly useful if they have a known heart or respiratory condition. A rate that is consistently rising over several days is worth reporting to your vet promptly, even before other symptoms appear.
Score 0–11 — Your cat seems comfortable. Keep checking each day to build a reliable picture over time.
Score 12–32 — Worth keeping a close eye on. Your cat may be in some discomfort. Book a vet visit and bring this record with you.
Score 33–64 — Your cat's quality of life is a real concern. Changes may become more difficult from here. Speak with your veterinarian about what to expect and the options available — including ongoing comfort care at home or, when the time feels right, helping your cat pass peacefully and gently.
Looking after a sick cat is hard on the whole family. This section is about you — your worries and how you are coping. Your answers are not scored. They are here to help your vet understand what support you might need. Answer honestly — there are no wrong answers.