Have you joined the pet revolution?

Kenyans are increasingly embracing the culture of pet ownership. Traditionally, owning a pet was believed to be a western culture and most of us could only see pets perhaps on movies or TV programmes. This trend has been changing rapidly in the recent past and currently every household; both in urban and rural areas own at least a pet.

Gone are the days when cats were used as biological weapons against rats and dogs kept specifically for hunting or security. Kenyans now have access to a wider variety of international TV shows and the internet so there is more foreign cultural influence and more and more people are beginning to appreciate that owning a pet in a family has more benefits than it had been traditionally believed.

Then there's the change in lifestyle where more people are choosing to remain single and they acquire pets to keep them busy as they pet them. Some people acquire pets for aesthetic purposes whereby they are used to beautify homes while others keep them for therapeutic reasons.

In as much as the need to keep pets is increasingly permeating within population and families in Kenya, many people still do not understand the uniqueness of the animals that they keep as pets. It is significant for every pet owner to note that, just as human being have their individual uniqueness, pets also have their individual uniqueness in terms of health, social and psychological needs.

There will be apparent conflict between the family and their pet if such needs are not recognised. The conflicts usually make the pets start developing certain unfriendly behaviours which could range from failure to respond to obedience training to aggression which might turn out to be dangerous to the owner or the owner might start abusing the pet by torturing or even killing it.

A well maintained and understood pet is a source of fun, enjoyment and friendship within the family. Most parents currently appreciate the significance of having their children grow together with a family pet. Pet ownership has both educational and therapeutic effect on children. Besides, it is generally believed that encouraging children to love, respect and care for pets make them to be more responsible, compassionate and caring.

Owning a pet has a lot of fun in it, however, it is important to recognise that pets are animals and they can be dangerous if mishandled. A healthy pet is usually a sign of a healthy home. It is important for pet owners to know that hygiene form the basis of positive coexistence between the family pet and the entire family. This is significant because unkempt pet can act as a vector of so many diseases. Just like babies, pets need to be vaccinated,dewormed and cleaned regularly.

I look forward to interacting with you on this page.

The writer is a Veterinary Surgeon at Pets Centre Veterinary Clinic in Muthaiga.

Do you have questions for Dr Chris? Reach him on [email protected] or SMS 'Pets' and your question to 22840.