Because dogs are brothers too!

Every Raksha Bandhan, a quiet thing happens in homes across India: a sister picks up a rakhi, turns not to a brother but to the dog asleep at her feet, and ties it gently around a furry leg. No protest, no expectation of a gift in return. Just the simple truth that the family dog is a sibling too.

If you have ever wanted to tie a rakhi to your dog, this is your guide and your permission slip. Here is what Raksha Bandhan really means, why more Indians now celebrate it with their dogs, how to do it safely, and a montage our readers sent us of their own four-legged brothers. In 2026, Raksha Bandhan falls on Friday, 28 August.

What is Raksha Bandhan, and why tie a rakhi to a dog?

Raksha Bandhan means “the bond of protection.” Celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shravana, usually in August (the 28th in 2026), it is the day a sister ties a sacred thread, the rakhi, around her brother’s wrist, and he promises to protect her. By legend the custom is old: Draupadi is said to have torn her sari to bind Krishna’s bleeding finger, and he vowed to protect her in return; Yamuna is said to have tied a thread to her brother Yama and won him a boon of long life. That same Yama has his own dog legend: in the Mahabharata he is said to have walked beside Yudhishthira disguised as a faithful hound, a story we tell in the tale of Yudhishthira’s dog. The thread is small. The promise behind it is not.

So why a dog? Because the bond a rakhi celebrates, loyalty, love and protection, is exactly what a dog gives a family every single day. A dog guards the home, waits at the door and loves without conditions. Tying it a rakhi is not a gimmick; it is a family saying out loud that this one belongs too. And honestly, few human brothers guard you quite as faithfully.

Because dogs are brothers too: readers’ own rakhi brothers

Every Raksha Bandhan our readers send us the moment they tie a rakhi on their dog. Here are a few of our favourites. See also our round-up of festivals around the world that celebrate dogs.

Unlike Holi and Diwali, which take real care to keep a dog safe, Raksha Bandhan is a gentle, naturally dog-friendly festival. A few small precautions keep it that way.

How to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with your dog, safely

• Pick a dog-safe rakhi. Skip the ones loaded with beads, glitter, sharp metal or loose threads, anything your dog could chew off and swallow. A soft, simple band tied loosely is plenty. Never leave it on unsupervised, and take it off the moment your dog seems bothered.
• Do not force it. Most dogs do not love things tied to them. If yours fidgets or freezes, a quick photo and an immediate release is kinder than a sulking captive. The bond matters more than the picture.
• Keep the mithai away. This is the big one. Most Indian sweets are made with sugar, ghee, maida and often chocolate or raisins, all bad, and some genuinely toxic, for dogs. Celebrate with dog-safe treats instead: a little plain pumpkin, carrot, oats, coconut or banana, or proper vet-approved dog treats. Our guide to which human foods are safe for dogs tells you exactly what to share and what to skip.
• Make it about the bond, not the props. The best gift you can give your dog this Raksha Bandhan is time: a long walk, a belly rub, a few quiet minutes on the floor together. That is the protection going both ways.

The best rakhi brother is often a rescued one

Many of the dogs in the photos above are Indies, rescued from a street or a shelter and now somebody’s most devoted sibling. If this festival of brothers and sisters moves you, the kindest rakhi of all is to give a homeless dog a family. You can adopt an Indie who is waiting for exactly that.

Dog rakhi and Raksha Bandhan: FAQs

Can you tie a rakhi to a dog? Yes, and many Indian families do. There is no rule against it: the rakhi is a symbol of a protective bond, and your dog gives and receives that bond every day. Just use a safe, simple rakhi and never leave it on unsupervised.

Is a dog rakhi safe? It is, as long as the rakhi has no small parts, beads or threads your dog could swallow, it is tied loosely, and you take it off if your dog is uncomfortable.

What treats can I give my dog on Raksha Bandhan? Skip the mithai. Most Indian sweets are unsafe for dogs. Offer plain pumpkin, carrot, oats, coconut, banana or vet-approved dog treats instead.

When is Raksha Bandhan in 2026? Raksha Bandhan falls on the full moon (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Shravana. In 2026 it is on Friday, 28 August.