Tips to Keep Pets Safe During Diwali

Highlights

• Pet owners across the world love to shower affection on their pets, attributing them to 'best friends' or 'family members'.
• More than half of the dog owners in the U.S.A are more attached to their pets than to at least one other human being.
• Diwali celebrations can leave pets trembling, shaking, barking and injured due to fireworks.
• Choose small crackers to ensure a safe Diwali for your pets

Relationships require a lot of attention and grooming to growing, flourish and evolve. And, this is no different when is comes to nurturing close bonds to improve the relationship with your pet.

Pet owners love to celebrate their pets. They are often referred to as snuggle buddies, 'best friends' or 'family members'. More than half of the dog owners in the U.S.A are more attached to their pets than to at least one other human being.

The emotional bond that owners have with their pets is irrespective of the kind of animal. Studies have shown that a strong bond with pets can help owners improve their physical and mental health.

The Festival of Lights - Diwali is a time of bonding among families, friends and not to forget their beloved furry friends. Diwali celebrations can be great fun for people, however pets more often than not are left trembling, shaking, barking and injured due to fireworks. Light, noise and color can be frightening and confusing for animals.

Thousands suffer burns every year from firecrackers. Moreover, animal shelters report a dramatic increase in pets lost during the festivities.

"Loud fireworks displays cause noise, which can be stressful for our pets," says N. G Jayasimha, Humane Society International/India managing director. "It's best to choose small crackers and ensure a safe Diwali for our furry friends at home and around our neighborhoods."

Here are Some Useful Precautions To Ensure A Safe Diwali For Pets:

• Keep your pets indoors and in a familiar room. Pets have a heightened sense of hearing so the jolts and loud noises cause many animals to flee in search of safe haven.
• Keep all doors and windows closed and draw the curtains to reduce the noise. Supply pets with enough food and water and ensure someone can stay with them to comfort them.
• Store fireworks safely in a closed box, somewhere cool and dry, and out of reach of pets. Do not keep fireworks containers under stairs or exposed in passages.
• Decorate with lights, lamps and diyas that are friendlier to the environment and animals by giving off less smoke and noise.
• Refrain from bursting crackers near an animal shelter or zoo. Noise can cause panic and fear. Pollution from burning firecrackers is also harmful to their health.
• Take dogs for a walk during the daytime before the celebrations begin. Never walk them near where others are lighting firecrackers.
• Consult a veterinarian if pets are prone to acute anxiety or distress from loud noises. Check their availability during Diwali in case of emergency.
• If you feed stray animals around your neighborhood, make sure that they are wearing tags labeled with their names and your phone numbers. In case they run away because of the merry-making, people who find them will be able to contact you.
• Make a first aid kit in preparation for helping injured animals. Have a bucket full of water handy for emergency and for putting used sparklers into.
• Ensure pets are wearing collars and identification tags with current contact information. All pets, even those kept indoors, should wear collars with identification tags at all times.
• Keep contact information for local municipal corporations and surrounding shelters handy and approach them immediately in cases of lost pets. If you find a lost pet, either take her to the address on the tag or a local animal shelter.

Happy and Safe Diwali to you!

References:

1. General Pet Care - Holiday Safety Tips - (http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/holiday-safety-tips)

Source-Humane Society International/India