End-of-Life
When Is It Time? Using a Quality-of-Life Scale for Your Pet
Why a scale helps
When you love someone, your heart argues with your eyes. A quality-of-life scale gives you a gentler, steadier way to see how your pet is really doing — so the decision rests on their comfort, not on your guilt.
The HHHHHMM scale
Many American vets use Dr. Alice Villalobos' HHHHHMM scale: Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More good days than bad. Score each from 0 to 10. Consistently low scores — especially for pain and happiness — are a sign it may be time to talk to your vet.
Track it over days, not moments
Pets have good hours even in bad weeks. Keep a simple daily journal or mark a calendar with a smiley or sad face. A pattern over two weeks tells you far more than a single afternoon.
You don't have to decide alone
Your veterinarian can examine your pet and give you an honest read on pain and prognosis. Many US vets also offer telehealth quality-of-life consults. Whatever you decide, deciding out of love is never the wrong instinct.
If the day is coming
Ease The Paw coordinates in-home pet euthanasia across South Africa — we find and book the vet, arrange the cremation and handle the keepsakes, so you can simply be present. A flat R950 covers the coordination and your keepsake memorial; the vet and cremation are billed separately at their own rates.
Join the community
Celebrate your pet every day
A gentle, private community for pet lovers: share photos, track their care with our breed-aware coach, and lean on us when the time comes.
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