Keep Animals Safe This Holi

Know the facts
The powders that are used during the festival are made with synthetic colors which contain toxic metals or dyes that can cause skin allergies, rashes, or even blindness in people and animals. Animals can easily inhale the powder, which can cause nasal irritation and respiratory allergies or infections. Animals who ingest it while grooming themselves can suffer from stomach ailments or other illnesses or even die. Drinking water colored by the powder can also cause hair loss and dermatitis in dogs.

Keep animals indoors
Getting hit with colored powder or water isn't fun for animals, who dont understand what is happening and dont enjoy getting powder or water in their eyes and noses. Keep animal companions indoors, and ensure that celebrations occur a safe distance away from stray animals.

Teach children not to throw the powder or water balloons at animals
Kids may not realize that this frightens and hurts animals.

Create awareness in your area
Ask housing associations or building managers to put up notices that remind tenants to keep their animal companions indoors during Holi and never throw the powder or water at animals.

Watch out for community dogs and strays 
If an animal gets the powder in his or her eyes, quickly flush them out with clean water. If irritation persists, recruit the help of a veterinarian for medical care.

Use shampoo to remove colored powder from animals' hair and fur
A good gentle animal-friendly shampoo should get the powder out of an animal's hair. Never use toxic kerosene, alcohol, or hair oil.

Keep Holi sweets out of animal reach
Give dogs only canine-friendly treats this Holi. Ingredients like cream, chocolate, and raisins can make them sick or even kill them.

Wishing you a happy and safe animal-friendly Holi, friends!