A new generic feline quality of life (FelQoL) questionnaire: part 1 - development and validation.

The validated FelQoL questionnaire provides veterinary professionals a reliable seven-dimension owner-reported tool to assess feline quality of life.

This study describes the development and validation of a novel Feline Quality of Life (FelQoL) questionnaire designed to assess both emotional and physical wellbeing in pet cats. Data were collected from 1,324 cat owners in the USA and UK, with a subset of 385 cats reassessed at two weeks to evaluate test-retest reliability. Using data-driven statistical analysis, the researchers identified seven distinct QoL dimensions: Active, Talkative, Satisfied, Relaxed, Mobile, Appetite, and Sociable, spanning daytime and mealtime behaviors. The instrument underwent rigorous psychometric evaluation including assessments of validity, robustness across different cat populations, and reliability over time. All seven dimensions demonstrated satisfactory statistical properties, supporting the instrument's use across diverse feline demographics and health conditions. The FelQoL questionnaire is intended for dual use: by pet owners seeking to monitor their cat's wellbeing at home, and by veterinary professionals as a complementary tool to in-clinic assessments. Unlike condition-specific QoL tools, FelQoL is designed as a generic instrument applicable across a broad range of health states. This is particularly valuable given the well-documented challenges of assessing pain, stress, and illness in cats. The questionnaire fills an important gap in feline medicine by providing a standardized, owner-reported outcome measure that captures nuanced behavioral changes reflective of overall wellbeing, potentially enabling earlier identification of health deterioration and more informed clinical decision-making.

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