This diwali, shut out the noise for your pets

For those wondering how to let their paw friends spend a happy Diwali, Ankush Battoo — pet lover and a partner at the pet-friendly cafe The Love Room — has some ‘sound’ advice.

With the city lit up beautifully and the sound of crackers filling the air, Diwali might be one of the most fun festivals for us humans, but definitely not for our furry friends. It’s also not a very enjoyable time for those of us who have pets, especially dogs, at home. The sound of bursting crackers cause them more trauma than we can probably understand. Here are a few tips to keep your doggo safe during Diwali from the sound of firecrackers.

For home buddies

• Take them out for a walk early evening before people start bursting firecrackers. Tire them out so that they fall asleep before the firecrackers start to burst. Feed them enough so that they won’t feel hungry for long and can sleep through.
• Keep them in a room with all windows and doors closed. Put some cotton inside their ears so that it restricts noise. This will make them less scared. Most of the time this trick works and the pets don’t get the hint of firecrackers bursting.
• Being with your pet is the best way to beat their anxiety. Stay in the same room, cuddle them, switch on the television so that it can drown out outside noise.
• Visit your vet right before Diwali and ask for them to prescribe anti-anxiety medicines that could be helpful in keeping them calm.
• Keep diyas and candles out of their reach to avoid starting an accidental fire.
• Read your dog’s body language. Observe whether they are shivering or hiding under the bed or they are calm and lying down at their favourite spot. Act according to the situation. If found under the bed, do not try to drag them out to cuddle. Instead, let them try to adjust with the situation with you being the strength to overcome their fear. If found sleeping at their favourite place, let them sleep comfortably.

For stray dogs

• If you find stray dogs getting scared, try to give them shelter in your garden or inside your building block as they are equally scared like the pets at home.
• Provide them with food and water inside your building, at a place which is safe from firecrackers.
• Pet them if they are approaching you and shivering with fear; that will help calm them down.
• If you live in a residential complex, try to put up rules for not bursting firecrackers where dogs rest or puppies sleep. This little care will help them stay safe during Diwali.
• Educate the kids on how to deal with stray dogs during Diwali so that they do not burst fire crackers near the animals. Teach them not to run after stray dogs with firecrackers.
• If possible, try to spray lavender room freshener around the area where the strays will be kept, before they arrive. The scent of lavender keeps dogs calm and relaxed.