How to keep your pets safe in Holi?

Be it Diwali or Holi, including pets in festivities and celebrations is a common sight in Indian homes, however, this isn’t as enjoyable for the pets.  Puppies, stray dogs and pets alike are susceptible to grave illness as side-effects of Holi celebrations.

Festivals like Holi, the Hindu “festival of colour,” usher in the change of seasons. However, before you involve your furry friends, it’s crucial to ensure their safety during these events. In this guide, we’ll explore the potential dangers of Holi colours for pets and provide tips on how to celebrate responsibly.

Holi Colors Composition: While ancient Holi colors were crafted from natural ingredients like berries and flowers, contemporary liquid and powdered colors may contain harmful substances such as lead oxide, aluminum bromide, mercury sulphite, copper sulphate, and mold. The safety of these colors for dogs is questionable, with potential skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Certified Non-Toxic Colors: Some events claim to use certified non-toxic colors made from cornstarch, baking soda, and FD&C dyes. Despite this, the recommended protective measures, like wearing glasses and masks, are impractical for dogs. Modern color manufacturing lacks proper regulation, with testing revealing toxic substances in some Holi colours.

How to Keep your Pets Safe in Holi?

• Avoid Using Colours on Dogs: The safest option is to refrain from using any colours on your canine companion, even if labeled as herbal and non-toxic.
• Remove colour: If by any chance someone applied colour on your pet, use a mild shampoo and bathe the pet to remove the colour. If the irritation continues, take the pet to a vet.
• Educate Children: Teach children about the dangers of putting colors on pets (or on any other homeless animal). Unlike adults, children understand this better.). derstand this better.
• Keep Pets Indoors: During Holi festivities, keep your pets indoors to prevent exposure to colored water and powder. Consider temporarily sheltering stray animals with the help of local shelters, family, or friends.
• Community Awareness: Collaborate with RWA and society groups urging people to refrain from applying colors to animals. Promote responsible and pet-friendly celebrations.

Please keep your pets indoors during Holi and as for homeless dogs, even if you could provide a foster home to one dog each during the festivities it would be great!

How Holi impacts your Pet’s Health?

Holi colours pose health risks to dogs, as they may ingest harmful ingredients by licking their color-coated bodies. Breathing in coloured powder dust may lead to respiratory issues. In case of accidental colorization, use a mild dog shampoo to remove the dye and monitor for signs of poisoning, such as vomiting, loose stools, excessive drooling, and behavioral changes. Pets have a tendency to lick their body. They consume chemicals present in the colours leading to serious health hazards – stomach diseases or gastro-intestinal ailments.

• The chemicals usually found in Holi colours include Lead Oxide, Aluminum Bromide, Mercury Sulphate and Copper Sulphate. These toxins may cause skin irritation or allergy in humans and pets alike.
• Nausea or respiratory troubles, the ill effects of colours stay long after the celebrations have ended
• Colours – wet or dry may contain traces of lead, which acts as a slow poison
• Water balloons and colours may cause temporary or permanent eye damage
• Coloured water can be harmful if consumed

Don’t Play Holi with animals!

I understand that a dog’s word often falls on deaf ears hence to accentuate the plea I asked some of my celebrity friends to help drive the message home.

Strays are in danger during Holi because of the random and reckless behavior of the crowd.

People often throw colors, water, and other objects at stray animals during Holi. This can cause serious injuries, including blindness, respiratory problems, and even death. In addition, the loud noise and crowds can be very stressful for stray animals, who may already be traumatized and fearful of humans.

Here are some tips to help keep stray animals safe during Holi:

• Do not throw colors, water, or other objects at stray animals.
• If you see someone harming a stray animal, please intervene and stop them.
• Report any incidents of animal cruelty to the authorities.
• Consider donating to a local animal shelter or rescue organization.

By following these simple tips, we can help to make Holi a safe and enjoyable time for all animals.

So here’s Hollywood telling you How to keep your pets safe in Holi:

1. The Dark Knight doesn’t like it one teeny weeny bit when you irritate dogs with Holi colours. Now, Robin knows it for good.

2. Even the inimitable Charlie Sheen wouldn’t call colouring a dog something that qualifies as #winning.

3. Although red is the colour that runs without restraint all through the realm but even the Game of Thrones disciples know that there is only one thing we say to Holi with dogs: “not today!“

4. And in other news, Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore has declared that Hogwarts will be celebrating an animal-friendly Holi.

Take that Voldemort!

5. The second greatest detective in the history of mankind (next only to the dog), Sherlock Holmes too, supports a dog-friendly Holi.

“Elementary, my dear Watson.”

6. If there’s one thing that drives The Joker mad: Humans who play Holi with dogs.

7. The Matrix trio: Morpheus, Trinity and Neo have pledged to put colours on Humans alone. How about you?

8. Your boss may be a jerk like Lumbergh (Office Space) yet he must know that one needs t steer away from playing Holi with dogs.

‘Yeah, that’s it. Great.’

9. And if you are yet not down with that, this girl will make you pay in a real sinister way 🙂

10. The Star Trek crew knows it. So must you.

11. And last but not the least, Liam Neeson crisps it down to deliver the bottom line.

Holi is a vibrant festival, but it’s important to remember that our furry companions experience the world much differently than we do. By taking these simple precautions and keeping a watchful eye, we can ensure our pets enjoy a safe and happy Holi alongside us. After all, a stress-free pet makes for a more joyous celebration for everyone.

So, crank up the music, light the bonfire (safely, of course!), and shower your loved ones with blessings – but do it all with your pet’s well-being in mind. With a little planning and these Holi pet care tips, you can create lasting memories that are both fun and fur-ever friendly!

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