Safe Holi For Humans, But Why Not For Animals ? Here's A Guide To A Pet-Friendly Holi

Guwahati: A lot of people will be eagerly waiting to celebrate Holi tomorrow after having had to abide by the pandemic protocols for the past two years. But while we enjoy the festivities of Holi to the fullest, do our pets enjoy it in a similar way?

Those puppies who grew up during the pandemic days have had a significant lack of socialization, which in turn means that the pets may pretty well not be familiar with loud noises and large groups.

These pets have not been exposed to the pre-pandemic Holi celebrations and they will have no clue as to what Holi look like.

It is quite possible that these tiny creatures could get overwhelmed by the occasion and they could as well experience signs of anxiety, such as wanting to hide, yawning too much, or drooling.

If that were to happen, it is advisable to provide a peaceful, safe and secure spot for the puppy to take shelter from the wild celebrations.

One must be cautious around the Holi bonfire and it would be better if pets are excluded from this tradition. Cats having asthma should be kept indoors with windows properly shut, as the smoke emanating from the bonfire may lead to an asthma attack.

This is even applied to pugs and other brachycephalic breeds, who could suffer irritation in their eyes or throats as a result of this smoke.

Most importantly, vibrant colours, dry or wet, which is such an essential part of Holi, must never be used on pets as the lead present in the colours can enter the pet's bloodstream which could, in turn, result in lead poisoning. 

Some symptoms of lead poisoning include Hysteria, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal discomfort.

Even non-toxic and herbal coloured powders might cause respiratory problems. The cough in asthmatic pets could amplify and it can also cause irritation in young puppies. It can also be dangerous for cats as they may consume the colours while grooming themselves.

Apart from these side effects, colours used during Holi can also cause allergies and secondary bacterial and fungal infections.

Also, refrain from making the pets drink Bhaang or thandai irrespective of what the amount is. It is primarily because Bhaang can cause hallucinations and dizziness in pets, similar to an anaesthetic. It can also cause more serious difficulties, such as vomiting, and it has the potential to kill a tiny dog if consumed in excess.

Last but not the least, water balloons which are widely used during Holi, especially by children should not be thrown at pets as they may go blind or develop corneal ulcers if a water balloon is thrown at their faces.

Also read: Holi 2022 is Here; This Is How You Can Make Bhang Thandai At Home

Also watch: