On Holi, parents become increasingly worried about the safety of their furry friends. We might mentally prepare ourselves to scrub away stubborn colours, but our pets are susceptible to much more harm. What happens if your pet gets Holi colours on the skin, you ask?
Dr Piyush Patel, veterinarian and director of the companion animals and engagement team at Humane World for Animals India, explained that synthetic dyes in Holi colours can be toxic, leading to skin allergies, blindness and poisoning. “Dogs, cats, and other animals often lick their bodies to clean themselves, unknowingly ingesting Holi colours, which frequently becomes a primary cause of poisoning. Inhaling the powder may also cause nasal irritation, and respiratory infection,” he said. He added that if colour gets into a dog’s eyes, they may experience redness, watering and irritation.
For those who don’t favour locking pets away while everyone else indulges in the festival of colours, Dr Patel shared the following tips for celebrating a pet-friendly Holi.
Avoid feeding sweets to street animals
Don’t feed pets or street animals sweets or fried foods, as they can cause digestive issues and health problems. Stick to safe, pet-friendly treats.
Teach children to play responsibly
While kids often get excited by the colours and water splashing, ensure their enthusiasm doesn’t unintentionally cause harm to animals. Use Holi as an opportunity to educate children about animal care. Discourage them from splashing water balloons or throwing colours, especially street dogs, who are most vulnerable during the festival.
Never apply Holi colours on animals. (Source: Pexels)
Safe colour removal
If your pet is accidentally coloured, gently wash it with mild pet shampoo. Never use kerosene or spirits to remove the colour, and immediately consult a veterinarian if the colour enters your pet’s eyes, nose, or mouth.
Have emergency contacts ready
Keep contact details of local animal rescue groups or veterinarians if an animal is injured or unwell.
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Community awareness
Encourage and raise awareness within your community to celebrate responsibly. Request your community secretary and building managers to display informative posters highlighting the dangers of Holi colours to animals.
Suggest organizing celebrations in designated areas, away from animal habitats, to minimize disruption to street animals. Advise residents to keep pets and community dogs indoors and ensure that water or colours are not thrown at street animals.
