By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
Kenya, August 27, 2026 - This week saw the reopening of schools for the third term, marking the return of children to classrooms after the holiday break.
The return to school after the holidays brings back familiar routines for Kenyan families, early mornings, school runs, homework and busy weekdays. But as children settle back into their school schedules, pets at home, particularly dogs, may also have to adjust to a sudden change.
During the holidays, many dogs get used to having children around for most of the day. There is more playtime, interaction and activity around the house. Once schools reopen, the home can suddenly become quiet, with pets spending long hours without the companionship they enjoyed during the break.
According to Judy Gachumi, Marketing Lead at PetStore Kenya, families should prepare their pets for the transition rather than changing their routines abruptly.
“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 says.
She recommends gradually adjusting feeding times, walks, playtime and rest periods to match the school-day routine.
“A morning walk, appropriate toys, scent games or food puzzles can help keep them engaged,” she says.
Gachumi adds that returning to school should not mean pets suddenly lose the companionship and care they received during the holidays.
Recognising signs of stress
Parents should also pay attention to changes in their pets' behaviour as they adjust to the new routine.
Excessive barking or whining, destructive behaviour, pacing, restlessness, changes in appetite, unusual toileting accidents, withdrawal or becoming unusually clingy may indicate that a dog is struggling with separation or a sudden change in routine.
“These behaviours should not simply be dismissed as the dog being ‘naughty’, they can be signs that the animal is finding the change difficult,” Gachumi says.
She advises parents to look at the pattern and timing of the behaviour, particularly if it consistently occurs when children leave for school or when the pet is left alone.
Rather than punishing the animal, families should respond with patience and provide a predictable routine, adequate exercise and mental stimulation.
If the behaviour becomes severe or persistent, or is accompanied by physical symptoms, owners should seek advice from a qualified veterinarian or animal behaviour professional.
Keeping children and pets connected
The reopening of schools does not have to weaken the bond between children and their pets.
Gachumi says consistency and quality time are more important than spending entire days together. After school, children can play with their pets, groom them, practise simple commands or simply sit beside them.
For some children, pets may even become homework companions.
“The dog may not give much academic advice, but they are certainly excellent listeners, and they never complain about the homework,” Gachumi says.
Parents can also involve children in age-appropriate pet care. Younger children can help with supervised grooming, feeding and play, while older children can gradually take on responsibilities such as helping with walks, feeding routines and training.
Such tasks can teach children responsibility, patience and empathy by showing them that another living being depends on them every day.
Keeping up with pet-care routines
As families return to busy school and work schedules, maintaining regular pet-care routines can also become a challenge.
Busy schedules can make it easy for pet owners to forget important care routines, from veterinary visits and vaccinations such as rabies shots to regular flea and tick prevention and daily walks.
One of the available resources to ensure smooth management of pets is the PetStore Kenya's free Pet Vault app. The app is designed to help pet owners stay organised by bringing important aspects of pet care into one place.
Beyond reminders for veterinary appointments, vaccinations, walks and other routines, the app allows owners to keep and track their pets' health and care records.
This record-keeping function can be particularly useful because many pet-care records are still kept on paper, stored away and easily misplaced or forgotten.
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With Pet Vault, owners can keep track of important details such as when a pet last received a vaccine, when flea or tick prevention was last administered and other essential care information.
The app also provides information on veterinary clinics and their locations across Kenya, making it easier for pet owners to find professional care when needed.
Through the PetStore Kenya app, pet owners can also conveniently shop for their pets and access essential pet products and services.
By combining reminders, digital record-keeping, access to veterinary information and shopping, Pet Vault helps make responsible pet care easier to manage, even when life gets busy.
Seeing dogs beyond security
Traditionally, many Kenyan families have kept dogs primarily as guard animals. Increasingly, however, dogs are being recognised as companions and members of the family.
“One message we keep reminding people is that dogs are part of the family and for some families, their dogs are their babies,” Gachumi says.
She says responsible ownership goes beyond feeding a dog and expecting it to protect the home.
Dogs need proper nutrition, veterinary care, vaccinations, parasite control, exercise, training, mental stimulation, social interaction and affection.
A well-trained and properly cared-for dog can provide security while also being a loving companion.
“They are not simply animals that live in our compound; they are animals that live alongside us and become part of our families,” she says.
Avoiding common mistakes
Among the mistakes families make is treating pets like humans when it comes to food, particularly by giving them excessive table scraps or too many treats instead of a balanced diet.
Other concerns include inadequate exercise, missed vaccinations and taking pets to the veterinarian only when they become visibly sick.
“Responsible pet ownership is about prevention, not just treatment,” Gachumi says.
Regular veterinary checks, timely vaccinations, parasite control, proper nutrition and adequate exercise can help keep pets healthy and identify potential problems early.
Parents should also teach children how to interact safely with dogs. 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. They should also learn to recognise when a dog wants space.
When encountering unfamiliar dogs, children should ask the owner before touching the animal and allow the dog to approach calmly.
“A child should never run up to a strange dog, hug it or put their face close to its face,” Gachumi says.
“The goal is not to make children afraid of dogs; it is to teach them to be confident, respectful and responsible around them.”
For families considering getting a pet, Gachumi says the decision should be based on the life the family can provide rather than temporary excitement.
“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 says.
Families should consider available space, time, food costs, veterinary expenses, vaccinations and what will happen when parents are working, children are at school or the family travels.
As Kenya marks National Dog Day this month, Gachumi says families should recognise the many ways dogs contribute to household life beyond security.
They can become walking partners, companions, homework buddies and sources of comfort, while helping children learn responsibility and empathy.
“If you choose to have a pet, make them part of the family, not just part of the compound,” she notes.
When pets are treated as members of the household, the result can be healthier animals, more responsible children and stronger bonds between people and the animals they care for.