Quality of life is a subjective thing. Only the owner, perhaps with the help of other knowledgable friends and the vet, can make the decision. When the life the animal lives is not acceptable, where it is existing in little or no comfort, when the day to day and moment to moment is not worth it anymore. That can be a very fine line. The physical signs is how does the animal get around, is it eating "well" is it doing normal activities where it can (chewing cardboard, etc). Is it still peppy and energetic or as much as it can be for short periods with longer rest...or does it mostly park in a corner and look miserable? It is heart breaking to see an animal decline. It can be difficult to draw the line. I usually go by what I observe. When it seems that the animal merely exists and no turn about is possible or going to happen any more, is when I step in. I have dispatched a number of my own animals when the time came. [I worked in a research lab and can humanely and quickly put down a small rodent type animal because I was trained]. It was with heavy heart and tears afterwards almost always. A few were a sigh of relief. With some of the most traumatic happenings (stroke, severe head trauma, sudden drastic downturns with respiratory illness) it is VERY difficult to decide when the animal is no longer improving... as I have had some make recovery over a very very long time, and in the end was glad I had not dispatched them earlier. So. It ends up with the owner and keeper on how and when to make the decision. Often for me it is the eyes. As they are a window on the workings of the mind when the body is failing, they can speak for one that cannot speak. Dull, listless, and lack of attention....that is often the last word. I hope this ramble helps others sort when the time comes, to separate the heart and look at the circumstances with a clear head, when it must be. Deb Rebel's Rodent Ranch
