Feature / Pickup
Dogs are generally said to be seniors
From 7 years old. Your dog grows healthy and grows older
To stay together forever
What
Should I be careful?
This time, I am involved in product development for seniors
I talked to the person in charge.
In addition, the questionnaire of the senior owner,
For senior products "zuttone"
I will also introduce it.
To the owner about his dog who has reached the senior period
I took a questionnaire.
When did you start feeling old and what?
Are you taking measures?
In this questionnaire, my dog feels old
Most of the time I started was "from 10 years old"
全体の15.6%を占める結果になりました。
From the senior period to the long-term care period, it gradually becomes difficult to see.
Various symptoms such as muscle weakness appear. The points that many owners devised to reduce the burden on their dogs are
The results were "dietary" (52.8%) and "living environment" (43.5%) (multiple answers).
It can be seen that half of the owners are reviewing their diet and living environment.
Specifically, change to a senior food, add soup or paste-like food, attach a sensor light to the stairs,
It seems that they are taking measures such as wearing supporters and manner belts.
zuttone is a brand that supports the happy senior life of pet dogs and cats, born from the idea of "Let's stay together forever."
Zuttone items tailored to your daily life and your body will help make your pet and family's lives more comfortable.
Interview with the person in charge of product development of such "zuttone". We asked Mr. Kawakami, who is also in charge of product development, about the senior to long-term care period for each of the six life scenes, as well as giving advice to dogs from the senior period, as well as sticking to items for senior dogs.
Supplies Development Department Supplies Planning and Development SectionNaoko Kawakami
In charge of product development that is easy to use for various senior pets, such as "zuttone", "food crusher handy" that makes the hood finer, "gentle harness from 7 years old" and "fabric cushion step". Pet animal breeding manager, pet supplies handler, pet care specialist 2nd grade.
――Please tell us how you got involved in product development for senior dogs.
From the founding members of "zuttone", I have inherited my thoughts on dog care and passion for the brand, and now I am mainly involved in product development. In addition, we are developing various pet products for senior to long-term care.
Half of all pet dogs are senior dogs over 7 years old, and it is said that their lifespan is increasing, so I think that product development focusing on senior dogs is very valuable.
Before the brand was launched about 15 years ago, the environment for caring for dogs was not in place, and there were special items and information.
There were few. After a difficult care experience for pet dogs, a special care item for pets
I felt it was absolutely necessary. As a comprehensive pet manufacturer, we send out products that support senior dogs.
I have to go! We will work on product development that approaches from a different perspective than before.
bottom.
Nowadays, we can easily get information on the internet and SNS, and we are more "senior dogs" than when the brand was launched.
I feel that it is easier to hit the spot. "When my dog becomes senior" compared to the past
I am glad that the number of people who are aware of this has increased.
――What is different from normal pet goods development?
We asked people who have actually experienced long-term care, those who are currently long-term care, and those who are spending time with senior dogs about "what are you having trouble with?" Is the point of developing. We analyze the problems in every scene of our lives and clarify what we need for each. When the owner who has a problem sees "zuttone", he is conscious of being able to follow up on problems in each scene such as walking and eating.
Not to mention the difference depending on the breed of dog, the products used at this time have a difficult part that the size does not fit due to the loss of muscle mass. We are developing through trial and error so that we can solve such problems.
――What is difficult about developing?
There are different points to be aware of between healthy children, senior children, and children who need long-term care, so there are many parts that cannot be understood without actually monitoring and seeing the feeling of use. I also have a hard time finding the dog to be monitored.
In addition, we may ask elderly dog care facilities and professional professionals to use products in the development stage, and we may ask for opinions on parts that we do not notice and reflect them in the products.
A walk is an important exercise to strengthen your muscles. If your leg strength is weakened, you may not be able to stand up smoothly or you may stagger when walking. In addition, the strength of the legs is also related to the tension of the excretion.
Even if your walking speed slows down or you can't walk, it is recommended that you take a walk with a harness while observing your physical strength and condition.
"Walking assistance harness" reduces the burden by supporting the body with "face"
The "walking assistance harness" was developed to lift the weakened legs and allow the dog to walk with his own legs while being supported by the owner to strengthen his muscles.
Since the body is lifted by the surface of the mesh fabric, it does not put a burden on the dog, and the structure for the hind legs is designed so that it can be excreted during a walk. The length of the handle can be adjusted according to the height of the dog's body, making it easy for the owner to hold.
In senior age, neck pain and forefoot tension can become difficult, making it difficult to eat in the same position as before. If your esophagus is too downward, it will clog your throat, so don't lower your head too much.Dining tablePlease be careful, such as using.
Not only when you don't get stuck in your throat, but also when you have no appetite
If the grain is large, hard and difficult to eat, crush it into small pieces or swallow it.
If it is difficult, make it soft and paste so that it is easy to eat.
Please devise it. Can be easily crushedfood processor
There are also some, so please take advantage of them. Also used when giving medicine
I can do it.
"Hand-held tableware" Easy to use even in long-term care facilities
Popular with
"Hand-held tableware" can be carried by hand to the dog's mouth, so it can be eaten according to the dog's posture. Since the surface of the plate is wide, it is easy for children with long mouth to nose to eat, and it is also easy to eat wet food. It has been well received by long-term care facilities.
It is very important to get used to diapers and indoor excretion from an early stage. When long-term care is needed, the dog will endure if it can only be excreted outside, and the owner will have to take him out every day.
From the senior period to the long-term care period, the problem of excretion is common. If not only the dog himself but also the floor and room become dirty, it will be a heavy burden on the owner, so if the number of toilet failures increases, I would like you to use diaper pants or paper diapers according to the situation.
If you are worried about diaper stuffiness and want to keep it to a minimum,Waterproof matYou can reduce the burden of cleaning by laying sheets and sheets, or using newspaper together and laying them wide.
Even a little possibility of "dirt" that will be a big burden
I want to reduce
"Nursing diaper pants (with suspenders)" are devised to prevent the pants from slipping when a child who has become difficult to stand up or a bedridden child moves, or to attach an adjustment cord to the tail hole to prevent leakage. bottom.
Grooming, trimming, and shampoo are the things to clean, but shampooing the whole body is exhausting, so it is important to do it in the shortest possible time while watching the situation.
If it is difficult to wash the whole body, wash each part, such as around the buttocks, which is easy to get dirty. To reduce the burdenDry shampooYou can take advantage of.
Trimming is done by shortening the hair around the buttocks and abdomen to make it easier to wipe off dirt, and by cutting so that the paws on the soles of the feet can be seen, not only to prevent slipping but also to make it easier to step on.Hair clipperIs recommended because it can be cut quickly.
"Stretchy bandage just by wrapping" made of a material that does not easily stick to hair
When using a bandage on a dog, the trouble is getting the hair caught. The point of development is that the "stretchable bandage just by wrapping" uses a material that does not easily get hair, and the bandage sticks to it, so you do not have to tie it. It is also convenient when covering the tail that is easy to get dirty and the part that is easy to lick.
Even if you sleep a lot, the aging phenomenon will be slowed down by moving your body so that you are not in the same position all the time, or by basking in the sun to stimulate it. Let's devise so that we will not be bedridden.
And I think that many people suffer from night crying (night crying) of dogs, but let's talk gently and remove anxiety factors such as poor physical condition and environment.
In addition, you can expect to relieve crying at night by moving your body or shortening the time you take a nap, such as taking a walk or playing indoors during the day.
If you still can't stop crying at night, don't hold it with your family alone, but talk to your veterinarian or specialist.
Easily help small movements
"Vest with auxiliary function"
The "vest with auxiliary function" is an item developed for a different purpose than the harness for the forefoot. The three short handles are less intrusive, and the shape of the vest provides firm support on the surface.
If you fail to climb the stairs or sofa, or feel that your normal movements such as standing, walking, or sitting are becoming difficult, hold the handle to support it.
At the same time, lay a non-slip sheet so that you can step on your feet, or put it on a sofa or bed.StepLet's review the living environment by leaving
As you become a senior dog, you will sleep more. The bed will be the best place to spend the day, so be careful.
However, I am worried that "bedsores" are likely to occur if the posture and posture are the same. Beds are the most important point to prevent bedsores.
Besides the bed, "Donut shape"or"Stick typeThere is also a cushion, so it is recommended to use a cushion together during the senior to nursing care period when you sleep for a long time. By sandwiching it between your legs and crotch, you can prevent stuffiness and create space in joints and other joints to prevent friction. The bead type can be adjusted in thickness according to the child, so the burden can be lightened.
Beds that can be used according to the condition of the legs
High rebound fiber bed
For a child who is likely to be bedridden but wants to get up on his own initiative, a repulsive bed is recommended over a bed that is too soft. It is easy to turn over and stand up with a little movement.
Relaxing beads bed
A soft bed is recommended for bedridden children and children who like to be wrapped up. Since the beads move according to the unevenness of the body, it gently disperses the pressure resistance. It is also recommended for development as you can adjust the degree of subduction.
――Finally, do you have a message for the owner of your dog, who is entering his senior years?
Even if it is cute and adorable, aging will come someday. You can review your diet, walks, etc. to slow down the aging phenomenon, or prepare a friendly environment. Dogs get older faster than people, so I would like you to notice the incident immediately.
Instead of preparing after the need for long-term care, be aware that the time of seniority will come from the time you receive it, think about the future of your important child, search for the necessary information, and gradually prepare. It's really important to keep it. I want more owners to be interested in senior care from an early stage.
Since we are developing products with a feeling of "caring" for all people involved in the senior to long-term care period and pets, I feel that if it becomes useful, it will be exhaustive to development.
From the beginning, I wanted to help people live happily together. That hasn't changed, and I want to continue to do my best.
It has become commonplace to prepare for becoming a senior for your dog from an early stage.
Mr. Kawakami wants it. The senior period that will surely come someday. In senior years
Before you enter, let's work with your dog on what the owner can do.
