At what age your dog is considered geriatric or senior is somewhat dependent on your individual dog’s physical and mental condition. However, in general, larger dogs age more rapidly than do smaller dogs. As a guideline, a dog whose ideal adult weight is at least 50 pounds will generally be considered geriatric at about 7 years old. A dog whose ideal weight is between 20 to 50 pounds is generally considered geriatric at about 9 years old, and a dog who weighs below 20 pounds is usually considered geriatric at about 10 years old.

Because geriatric dogs – just like geriatric humans – have distinct needs and concerns, here are some tips to make sure your dog’s golden years are indeed golden.

Your older dog should still have opportunities to get plenty of fresh air and fun outside. However, she might not be able to keep up with you like she used to. It is up to you to pay attention to your senior dog to know your dog’s limits and take care not too push to hard.

As your dog ages, her tolerance for cold and heat tend to decline. Make sure to limit her time spent in hot or very cold weather. You might even want to invest in a doggie jacket for when it is very cold outside.