Diwali 2022: Mumbai pet parents gear up to help furry friends, experts suggest tips

Farah Charania`s three cats. Pic/ Farah Charania

Ahead of Diwali, Mumbai's pet owners are gearing up to comfort their furry friends from fireworks and loud noise. Diwali which is also known as the 'Festival of Lights' is celebrated around the world with plenty of fireworks.

Farah Charania who has three cats, shares, "Pets are not used to the firecrackers and its noise and it could get them stressed out. To comfort my cats, I close the windows and doors of my house to minimise the sound and open the cupboards to get themselves a safe space. My cats can rest there until they want to."

Farah Charania with one of her cats. Pic/ Farah Charania

Since the sudden sounds can stress out the pets including dogs, cats and even birds, veterinarians also advise pet owners to be cautious when it comes to comforting their pets during the festive season.

Dr Rahul Meshram, honorary veterinary doctor, Amma Care Foundation explains, "Unlike humans, pets are different. They are not used to extensive noise, lights and fireworks. Pet owners must keep in mind certain things to calm down their pets during the festivals. In the case of Diwali, since there are fireworks and lots of lights, the pet owners must use a sound proof room or a space where there would be a minimum exposure to the firecrackers sounds and sudden flashes of lights to protect the pets from getting stressed out. Since they are used to the TV sounds and music, pet owners can switch on the TVs or play music for the pets with a little extra volume to divert a pet's mind."

Pic/Dr Rahul Meshram

He suggests also keeping the pets favourite toys near them to calm them down. Meshram adds, "The pet owners must always keep a first aid kit handy after consultation with their vets. The food and water bowls for pets must always be accessible to them when you keep them in a locked room."

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The city-based veterinarian says people should also pay attention to stray animals during the festive season, "One must always check the surroundings first before starting loud noises or fireworks near the places where stray animals are used to being. Since they do not have access to the things as compared to the pets at homes, people must be more cautious about them," he explains.

Wajid with his birds. Pic/ Wajid Shaikh

Wajid Shaikh, another Mumbaikar, who has a pet birds at home shares, "Birds are very sensitive when it comes to loud noises. Sudden noise can result in them panicking. I am planning to use heavy curtains so the fireworks do not bother my birds. Since my birds are mostly out of the cage, I have planned to keep it inside the cage, so they feel much safer if there is a sudden loud sound. I suggest to other pet owners to plan in advance for safety of their pets."

Sunish Subramanian of Plant and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) - Mumbai and Honorary Wildlife Warden of Maharashtra Forest Department pleads with city dwellers, "We request people to please think about the stray animals too. The leftovers of firecrackers are dangerous for stray animals since they contain chemicals that can make them sick."

Subramanian has appealed to Mumbaikars that if in case they find any sick animal or bird they can reach out to PAWS or any animal rescue NGO to save their lives.