As children return to school after the holidays, families are being encouraged to pay attention to changing routines at home and ensure their pets continue to receive adequate care, exercise and companionship.
The return to school can be a major adjustment for pets, particularly dogs that have become accustomed to having children around throughout the day during the holidays.
Judy Gachumi, Marketing Lead at PetStore Kenya, said responsible pet ownership requires families to maintain a consistent routine while ensuring animals receive proper nutrition, healthcare, exercise and interaction.
“Dogs are creatures of routine, so when the household suddenly becomes quieter and the children are away for most of the day, some dogs may experience what looks like boredom, anxiety or loneliness,” Gachumi said.
She advised families to gradually re-establish school-day routines around feeding, walks, play and rest rather than making the transition abruptly.
A morning walk before the children leave for school, appropriate toys, scent games and food puzzles can help keep dogs mentally and physically stimulated during the day.
Gachumi said families should not allow busy school schedules to interfere with the basics of pet care.
Some of the common mistakes she encounters include feeding pets excessive table scraps or treats, providing insufficient exercise, missing vaccinations and taking animals to the veterinarian only when they are already sick.
“Responsible pet ownership is about prevention, not just treatment,” she said.
She recommended regular veterinary checks, timely vaccinations, parasite control, proper nutrition and adequate exercise as important components of keeping pets healthy.
Families should also monitor changes in behaviour. Excessive barking or whining, destructive behaviour, pacing, restlessness, changes in appetite, unusual toileting accidents, withdrawal or increased clinginess could indicate that a pet is struggling with a change in routine.
Gachumi urged parents to respond with patience rather than punishment, particularly where the behaviour appears after children leave for school or when the pet is left alone.
Although children may spend most of their day at school, Gachumi said they can still maintain a strong bond with their pets through simple daily activities.
Playing with the pet, grooming it, practising commands, taking part in walks or simply sitting together while doing homework can provide valuable interaction.
“My dog helps me do my homework” may sound humorous, she said, but having a dog quietly keeping a child company during homework can be an important bonding experience.
“Consistency and quality time matter more than quantity,” she said.
Parents can also assign children age-appropriate responsibilities, such as helping with grooming, supervised feeding, refilling water, cleaning up after the pet and playing with it.
Older children can take on additional responsibilities such as helping with feeding routines, training and exercise.
Beyond teaching children how to care for an animal, Gachumi said such responsibilities help develop patience, empathy and a sense of accountability.
“A child learns that another living being depends on them every single day, not only when they feel like playing,” she said.
Gachumi also urged parents to teach children that pets have boundaries and should be treated with respect.
Children should not pull a dog's ears or tail, climb on it, disturb it while eating or sleeping, or take away its food and toys.
When encountering unfamiliar dogs, children should be taught to ask the owner for permission before touching the animal and allow it to approach calmly.
“A dog is not a teddy bear; it is a living animal with feelings, boundaries and instincts,” Gachumi said.
She said the objective should not be to make children afraid of dogs, but to help them become confident, respectful and responsible around animals.
For families considering getting a pet, Gachumi advised them to assess whether an animal fits their lifestyle, taking into account available space, time, costs, travel arrangements and the ability to provide care over the animal's lifetime.
“Don’t choose a pet based on what you want today; choose based on the life you can give them for the next 10–15 years,” she said.
Gachumi said families should ultimately view pets as more than animals kept around the compound for security.
“If you choose to have a pet, make them part of the family, not just part of the compound,” she said.
“Feed them well, care for their health, spend time with them, train them, play with them and understand their needs.”
For families adjusting to the back-to-school routine, she said a little preparation can help ensure that children and their pets adapt smoothly to the new rhythm at home.
