An objective tool based on Dr. Alice Villalobos' scale to help pet owners assess their dog's well-being.
Is your dog's pain successfully managed? Can they breathe easily? (0 = Chronic pain/distress, 10 = Pain-free/easy breathing)
0 – Severe Pain / Labored Breathing
1234
5 – Moderate / Managed with Heavy Meds
6789
10 – No Pain / Normal Breathing
Is the dog eating enough? (0 = Not eating at all, 10 = Healthy appetite)
0 – Refusing all food
5 – Eating only with encouragement/hand feeding
10 – Eating normally
for(var i=1; i<10; i++) { if(i!==5) document.write(''+i+"); }
Is the dog staying hydrated? (0 = Dehydrated/refusing water, 10 = Fully hydrated)
0 – Severely dehydrated
5 – Needs subcutaneous fluids
10 – Drinking normally
Can the dog be kept clean? Are there pressure sores? (0 = Unable to stay clean, 10 = Groomed and clean)
0 – Chronic soiling / Open sores
5 – Needs constant assistance with cleaning
10 – Perfectly clean
Does the dog show joy or curiosity? (0 = Depressed/Isolated, 10 = Responsive/Happy)
0 – No joy / Withdrawn
5 – Occasionally responsive to family
10 – Very happy and engaged
Can the dog move or be helped to move? (0 = Bedridden, 10 = Fully mobile)
0 – Immobile / Seizures
5 – Needs help standing or walking
10 – Walks and runs normally
When bad days outnumber good days, quality of life is compromised. (0 = Mostly bad days, 10 = Mostly good days)
0 – Every day is a struggle
5 – Equal mix of good and bad days
10 – Everyday is a good day
Understanding the HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale
Deciding on end-of-life care for a beloved dog is one of the most difficult journeys a pet owner can face. The HHHHHMM Scale, also known as the Quality of Life Scale, provides a structured way to evaluate your dog's health across seven vital categories. Each category is scored from 0 to 10, with 10 being the best.
What Your Score Means
Score Above 35: A total score above 35 generally suggests that your dog's quality of life is currently acceptable. Maintenance and palliative care are recommended.
Score Below 35: A score below 35, or a score of 0 in any single category, suggests that your dog's quality of life is significantly diminished. It may be time to discuss end-of-life options or hospice care with your veterinarian.
Real-World Example
Imagine "Buster," a 14-year-old Labrador. He has severe arthritis (Mobility: 3) but is still eating well (Hunger: 8) and is generally happy to see his family (Happiness: 7). His pain is managed with daily medication (Hurt: 6). If we sum his scores and reach a total of 42, Buster is likely still experiencing a life worth living, despite his mobility challenges.
Note: This calculator is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult with your vet regarding your dog's specific health condition.
function calculateQoL() {
var h1 = parseInt(document.getElementById("qol_hurt").value);
var h2 = parseInt(document.getElementById("qol_hunger").value);
var h3 = parseInt(document.getElementById("qol_hydration").value);
var h4 = parseInt(document.getElementById("qol_hygiene").value);
var h5 = parseInt(document.getElementById("qol_happiness").value);
var m1 = parseInt(document.getElementById("qol_mobility").value);
var m2 = parseInt(document.getElementById("qol_gooddays").value);
var total = h1 + h2 + h3 + h4 + h5 + m1 + m2;
var resultBox = document.getElementById("qol_result_box");
var scoreDisplay = document.getElementById("qol_score_display");
var interpretation = document.getElementById("qol_interpretation");
var advice = document.getElementById("qol_advice");
resultBox.style.display = "block";
scoreDisplay.innerText = "Total Score: " + total + " / 70″;
if (total >= 35) {
resultBox.style.backgroundColor = "#d4edda";
resultBox.style.color = "#155724";
interpretation.innerText = "Acceptable Quality of Life";
advice.innerText = "Based on this scale, your dog is likely still finding enjoyment in life. Continue monitoring and work with your vet on palliative care.";
} else {
resultBox.style.backgroundColor = "#f8d7da";
resultBox.style.color = "#721c24";
interpretation.innerText = "Diminished Quality of Life";
advice.innerText = "A score below 35 indicates that your dog's well-being may be compromised. This is a crucial time to have an honest conversation with your veterinarian about comfort care or peaceful passing.";
}
// Check for critical failures (0 in any category)
if (h1 === 0 || h2 === 0 || h3 === 0 || h4 === 0 || h5 === 0 || m1 === 0 || m2 === 0) {
advice.innerText += " Note: A score of 0 in any single category is a significant red flag regardless of the total score.";
}
resultBox.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth' });
}