How do I know if my dog still has a good quality of life?

When your dog has cancer, there comes a difficult moment when you ask yourself, "Does my dog still have a good quality of life?" While this is an emotionally charged question, there are clear signs that can help you assess this.

What do we mean by quality of life?

Quality of life for dogs goes beyond just survival. It's about comfort, appetite, pain-free movement, and enjoyment. A dog with a good quality of life generally feels free from serious discomfort and can still enjoy everyday activities.

How do you rate your dog's quality of life?

Please note the following points:

• Appetite and drinking: Does your dog still want to eat or does he refuse food?

• Movement: Can he get up, walk and stroll independently?

• Pain: Is he showing any signs of discomfort such as lameness, panting, or whining?

• Contact: Is he still seeking attention and responding to your presence?

• Sleeping Behavior: Is he resting comfortably or is he restless?

A helpful tool can be a Quality of Life score sheet , like the one included in the BraveBites starter pack. This helps you objectively monitor changes in your dog.

What can you do to improve your quality of life?

• Discuss changes openly with your vet so you can work together to find the best approach.

• Consider adjusting medication, diet, or pain relief.

• Provide extra attention, rest and things your dog enjoys, such as walking, playing or cuddling.

Hopeful message

A dog with cancer can often still have a valuable and happy life for a long time, especially when you pay attention to their comfort and enjoyment. By observing carefully and providing the right support, you can keep your dog's quality of life as high as possible.