Cat Quality of Life Calculator
Rate how your cat has been doing lately across a few everyday areas to organize your observations. This is a screening aid to support a conversation with your veterinarian, not a diagnosis or a decision about your cat's care.
Last updated: September 23, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Does a low score mean I should consider euthanasia?
No - this tool does not make that determination and isn't designed to. It organizes your day-to-day observations into a simple summary so you can describe patterns clearly to a veterinarian, who is the appropriate person to help interpret what a pattern of difficult days might mean for your specific cat and situation.
Is this based on an established veterinary framework?
It draws on the general idea behind published veterinary quality-of-life screening concepts - checking comfort, appetite, hydration, hygiene, mobility, and engagement over time - adapted into a simple observational checklist. It's an aid for organizing what you're noticing, not a validated clinical scoring instrument.
How often should I use this?
There's no fixed schedule - some owners find it useful to check in periodically during a chronic illness or as a cat ages, to notice trends rather than relying on memory of how things have been 'lately.' Bring a record of scores over time to a vet visit if you're tracking a change.
My cat scored well in most areas but poorly in one - what does that mean?
A single low-scoring area, especially comfort or appetite, can matter even if the overall total looks reasonable - this tool intentionally shows each area's status rather than only a combined number, so a concerning single area shouldn't be dismissed just because the total looks fine.
Can this replace a veterinary exam?
No - this is a self-observation aid, not a substitute for a hands-on veterinary assessment. A vet can examine your cat directly, run diagnostics if needed, and help interpret findings that a checklist filled out at home can't capture.
Why doesn't the calculator give me a specific recommendation?
Because quality-of-life decisions for a specific animal depend on context this tool can't have - the underlying condition, prognosis, treatment options, and your own values and circumstances - all of which a veterinarian who knows your cat's case can weigh. This tool's role is to help you notice and describe patterns, not to decide for you.