Holi is the festival of colours, joy, and togetherness, but for our furbabies members, it can be anything but festive. Bright synthetic dyes, booming music, excited crowds, and tempting but toxic treats create a genuinely stressful and dangerous environment for pets. Here’s everything you need to know to keep the celebrations fun for you and safe for them.
“Every Holi, we see a spike in cases, skin rashes, eye infections, and pets that have ingested colour while grooming themselves. Most of these visits are entirely avoidable. The simplest thing a pet parent can do is keep their animal indoors and away from colour entirely. Prevention here is not just better thana cure. It’s far kinder,” says Dr Abhishek Choudhary, Veterinarian, Vetic Pet Clinic.
Why Holi Can Be Harmful for Pets
Before we get into the how, here’s a quick look at the what because understanding the risks helps you act faster.
Colours:
- Synthetic Holi colours contain heavy metals, lead, mica, and chemicals that can cause severe skin irritation, allergic reactions, and chemical burns
- If ingested during self-grooming, they can trigger vomiting, diarrhoea, and organ damage
- Colours can enter the eyes and ears, leading to infections, inflammation, or lasting damage
Noise:
- Loud music, bursting crackers, and loud noise can cause extreme anxiety, trembling, and panic attacks in pets
- Prolonged noise stress can lead to destructive behaviour, loss of appetite, and in some cases, cardiac stress
Holi Treats:
- Thandai often contains herbs, which is toxic to pets and can cause disorientation, seizures, or worse
- Gujiyas and mithais may contain sugar, dairy, and nuts that upset a pet’s digestive system
- Even plain sweets given in excess can cause vomiting or gastroenteritis
Suggested Read: Diabetes in Dogs
How to Make Holi Completely Pet-Safe
1. Create a Safe, Quiet Sanctuary
Set up a dedicated room away from the festivities well before celebrations begin. Stock it with your pet’s bed, water, toys, and familiar smells. A calm, enclosed space reduces anxiety significantly.
2. Keep Them Indoors the Entire Day
On Holi, don’t let your pet step outside at all. Even a short walk puts them at risk of colour contact, crowd stress, and loud noise. Reschedule all outdoor time to early morning or well after the celebrations end.
3. Say a Firm No to Colour Play
Never apply Holi colour wet or dry, natural or synthetic on your pet. Even “herbal” colours can be harmful. Keep them away from colour-splashed surfaces, water balloons, and pichkaris throughout the day.
4. Protect Their Skin Beforehand
Apply a light layer of coconut oil or pet-safe moisturiser on your dog’s coat before festivities. This creates a gentle barrier that makes accidental colour easier to clean off. Never use sunscreen or human products without vet approval.
5. Keep Their Ears and Eyes Protected
Colour and water entering a pet’s ears or eyes is a common Holi hazard. Avoid placing any coverings on pets without guidance, but keep the sanctuary dust-free and ventilated, away from direct colour exposure.
6. Feed Them Early and Keep Meals Familiar
Stick to your pet’s regular meal schedule. Don’t share any Holi food, including thandai, sherbat, lassi, gujiyas, or sweets, with them. If guests are around, put up a clear note asking them not to feed your pet anything.
7. Use Calming Aids if Needed
If your pet is noise-sensitive, speak to your vet before Holi about calming supplements, anxiety wraps, or mild sedatives. Playing white noise or soft music in their room can also help drown out the chaos outside.
8. Check In on Them Regularly
Even if your pet is indoors, pop in every hour or so. Reassure them with calm petting, talk softly, and reward calm behaviour with treats. Your presence alone is incredibly soothing for an anxious animal.
9. If Colour Does Get on Them – Here’s What to Do
Stay calm, then rinse the area gently with lukewarm water. Use a mild, pet-safe shampoo and avoid scrubbing hard. Check for redness, swelling, or irritation afterwards. Do not attempt to use paint removers or alcohol.
10. When to Rush to the Vet
“If your pet has been exposed to colour and you notice vomiting, excessive drooling, lethargy, or any difficulty breathing, please don’t wait it out. These are not symptoms to Google. Bring them in immediately. When it comes to toxic ingestion, the first two hours are critical,” says Dr Abhishek to all pet parents!
11. Watch for Signs of Anxiety
Hiding, excessive panting, shaking, refusing food, or unusual aggression are all signs of stress. Don’t force your pet to interact with guests or “get used to it.” Respect their discomfort and prioritise their wellbeing over the festivities.
12. After Holi, Do a Full Check
Once the celebrations are done, do a thorough check of your pet’s coat, paws, ears, and eyes for any colour residue. Bathe them if needed and monitor their behaviour, eating, and bathroom habits for the next 24 – 48 hours.
If your pet shows any signs of illness or severe anxiety after Holi exposure, consult a dog doctor near you immediately.
A Happy Holi for the Whole Family
Celebrating Holi with a little extra thought and preparation means nobody gets left out, especially not the ones with four paws and a whole lot of love to give. By keeping colours away, stress down, and vet numbers handy, you’re making sure the festival of joy is truly joyful for every member of your family. Here’s to a safe, colourful, and pet-happy Holi!
