Holi 2026: Here’s how you can take care of your dogs during the festival

The colours and sounds that make Holi fun for humans, can be anxiety-inducing for our pets. Pet parents, feeders, and rescuers suggest ways to make this Holi more inclusive

Holi 2026: Pet parents, experts tell you how to take care of your furry friends during the festival

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Holi 2026: Pet parents, experts tell you how to take care of your furry friends during the festival

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Offer them space

Festivals can be difficult for these babies, especially streeties. As a pet parent and feeder, one of the concerns during festivals is the loud noises and crowds. With Charlie, my three-year-old indie, I try to take her out in the early mornings before the crowds take over. We spend the rest of the day indoors. We use flowers instead of colours for our own Holi.

Checklist

>> A long early morning walk or engaging in games can work away their nervous energy
>> Feed them on time, and away from the crowd.
>> Keep them indoors if you can on such days.
>> Build a refuge space where they can take shelter

Khushali Chauhan, 20, pet parent and feeder, Wadala

Step out to help

Holi might seem fun as a kid, but for streeties and pets at home, it is stressful. The loud noise, the crowds, water balloons flying in from everywhere. It is scary. We [my husband and I] spend the day cooking dog-friendly sweets for our furries, Loki, Luna, and Tofu. This distracts them from the chaos. Community dogs tend to go into hiding. We usually spend our evening looking for them. We use coconut oil and a towel to clean them.

Checklist

>> Create a small shelter
>> Educate kids in your community about mindful ways to celebrate
>> Step out to look for the community dogs, and help them
>> Use coconut oil to gently rub off the colour. Give them a wash if you can
>> Reach out to animal welfare associations when needed

Prateeksha Khot, 34, pet parent and feeder, Mulund

Play mindfully

Colours can cause severe skin problems among streeties. They lack the facility, ability, or knowledge to know how to care for themselves. It is a terrible idea to use toxic chemical colours on human skin, let alone animals. After every Holi, I go around with a wet cloth trying to wipe away the colours. But that is often late. Holi was about natural colours, not loud sounds or crackers. If we can go back to using natural materials, it would be better. We need collective effort by people to educate others and take measures.

Checklist

>> Where possible, use natural colours like turmeric or fruit extracts
>> Keep a wet cloth handy to wipe the colours off them
>> Spread awareness among kids, and adults
>> Ask people to not play with colours in feeding areas
>> Call out people applying colours on streeties

Taronish Bulsara, founder, World for All Animal Care and Adoptions