🐾 Dog Quality of Life Calculator
Rate your dog across seven wellbeing categories to get a quality-of-life score based on the widely used HHHHHMM (Villalobos) scale.
What This Calculator Does
This tool uses the HHHHHMM scale, developed by veterinary oncologist Dr. Alice Villalobos, to help owners and caregivers think through a dog’s quality of life in a structured way, particularly for senior dogs or dogs with chronic or serious illness.
How It’s Scored
You rate seven categories – Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More good days than bad – each from 0 to 10, for a maximum total of 70. A total score of 35 or higher is commonly used as a rough guide that a reasonable quality of life is being maintained, though this threshold is only a general reference point, not a strict rule.
- A very low score in any single category (especially pain control) deserves attention even if the total score is otherwise acceptable.
- Scores can change from day to day, so many caregivers re-check this periodically rather than relying on a single reading.
This calculator is for general educational and planning purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary evaluation. Please discuss your dog’s quality of life and care options with your veterinarian, especially for end-of-life or hospice decisions.