No matter how lovable, gentle and friendly your pets are, celebrations can make animals irritable and unpredictable. You may notice that they become scared more easily or do things that are out of character. They may not eat as well, or want to stay indoors all of the time. It’s often because of the fireworks or loud noises which make them fearful and worried. It’s difficult for any pet owner to see their beloved animals in a scared and anxious disposition, but it can be hard knowing what to do for the best. After all, how can you put a stop to lively and fun events purely for the sake of a few pets? Besides trying to shield them from the noise, how can you help animals to feel less worried during such times. Altered behaviour, changed eating patterns and irritability are all common patterns in animals around Diwali, according to pet owners and vets. Because dogs have such an acute sense of hearing – a range of 20-40,000 Hz compared to 20-20,000 Hz in humans – they are the worst affected during this festival, which is celebrated on a Friday. The noise is so much louder for animals and this leads to them becoming anxious and scared so much more easily.
Veterinary admissions rise by up to 10 percent a few days before and after the festival, due to the commotion everywhere and the need for animals to be comforted. It’s vital that during the festivities, pet owners are near their animals to ensure that they are comforted and reassured. In bigger animals, such as dogs, you can always sedate them if really necessary but this isn’t an option for smaller pets, such as birds. In this case, you simply need to try and keep them away from the noise wherever possible. Doctors also suggest giving birds their food early and their cages covered with a dark cloth by afternoon so that they will fall asleep before the fireworks of the evening begin. However, it’s not just the noise that affects them. The smoke in the air, just as it does with humans as well as animals, can be irritating. It can aggravate respiratory tract diseases, cause allergies in the eyes, and bring on skin rashes. This affects flat-nosed dogs like pugs more where air pollution is concerned.
Not all animals are loved pets such as those living in warm and comfortable homes. For the thousands of stray animals roaming the streets at Diwali time, there is no comfort or care. These helpless animals have no-one to rescue them, a problem that is a concern for animal welfare organisations. It’s not unusual for animals to suffer cardiac arrests during festivals and celebrations, due to the fear and anxiety that they face by dealing with breathing problems, fear and incredibly loud noises – particularly if they are roaming the streets where the noise and ruckus is worse. Welfare spokespeople claim that the use of firecrackers should be limited, not just because of the risk of animal health, but also because they are a danger for humans. Safety during large-scale celebrations is important for everyone involved, not just humans. It’s important to spare a thought for the animals during the celebrations, who are helpless and can’t avoid the noise and fear during this time. If you’re unsure about how to console your pets during this time, consult your vet who can offer advice and therapies to help keep animals as safe as possible.
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