Define "geriatric"

Elderly pets past their "prime".
For larger dog breeds this occurs earlier than for the smaller breeds and for cats.

• Dogs over 50 lbs are considered "geriatric" at 7 years of age.
• Smaller dogs & all cats are considered "geriatric" at 9 years and up.

Suggestions for geriatric pet care:

• Check-up every 6 months -
  older pets are more likely to experience chronic, slowly progressive diseases due to their age. An examination every 6 months increases the likelihood that disease will be caught earlier in its course.
• Screening blood tests
  should be done to obtain baseline values and detect early changes in thyroid, liver, kidney or other organ systems. Discuss the need for & frequency of blood testing with your veterinarian.
• Dental cleanings
  Many older pets are beginning to show signs of dental problems and gum disease. Although ideally we should try to prevent this from happening (by having dental cleanings earlier in life), it should be dealt with before the pet ages further. A cleaner, healthier mouth can translate into a happier, longer life.
• Care of sore old joints
  Larger breeds of dogs, especially, have a harder time getting up and around as they age. The first piece of advise to take is: keep the dog at his/her optimal weight. Don't allow them to carry around a whole lot of extra pounds. Being overweight will only add to the discomfort of osteoarthritis. Talk to your vet about investigating and treating canine osteoarthritis. There are some very effective pain medications available, as well as other remedies to consider.