While people love to include their furry friends in Holi festivities, they often forget the harmful impact the festival has on their pets.
As the country celebrates the festival of colours, the Humane Society International/India has issued tips to keep pets safe during the celebration. The guidelines issued include keeping pets away from children, not using dry or wet colours on them, watching out for warning signs, keeping pets indoors and not feeding them sweets or fried food.
“In their excitement for the festival, children usually throw water balloons on anything they see. Pet owners should keep their pets away from children and avoid taking dogs at places and at times they are likely to be the target of such insensitive play,” noted a release issued by the Society.
It also notes that use of dry colours on pets can be hazardous. The presence of lead, which acts as an accumulative poison, makes these colours a high-risk material for pets. Inhalation of colour powder may cause nasal irritation or respiratory infection.
Moreover, dogs get paranoid when colours are rubbed on them, since it gets into their eyes and nose. They also tend to lick their body, and very often this becomes the chief source of poisoning. Pets can get severe eye infection if they are hit by balloons full of coloured water. Owners also need to watch out for warning signs of distress, including excessive salivation, vomiting, loose motions, and behavioural changes like aggression or stupor.
