Diwali pet safety requires planning, as fireworks, smoke and discarded firecracker material can cause stress, injuries and respiratory problems in pets, stray animals, livestock and birds, according to veterinary guidance published by Sakal – Pune. Dr Nisha Jadhav and Dr Ravindra Jadhav have advised residents to limit fireworks, keep animals away from firing areas and seek veterinary help quickly when serious symptoms appear.
Dogs and cats may respond to loud explosions by trembling, hiding, pacing, barking or attempting to escape. Animals that panic can run into traffic, fall, collide with objects or injure themselves. Firecracker smoke and fine particles may also trigger coughing, breathing difficulty or a worsening of existing respiratory conditions in sensitive animals.
Birds can be distressed by sudden loud sounds, while livestock may face risks if they panic inside sheds or near ropes, poles and fencing. The veterinarians have recommended keeping dogs and cats in a quiet, well-ventilated and secure room during periods of fireworks. Doors and windows should be secured to prevent animals from escaping, while clean water and a familiar resting area should be kept available.
Residents have been advised not to shout at or punish frightened animals. Animals that usually stay outdoors should be moved indoors or kept within a safe enclosure during the festive period. Livestock should be secured in sheds with sufficient space, water and ventilation, while owners should check that ropes, posts and fencing do not create additional injury risks.
Warning signs include sudden fear, continuous struggling, hiding, trembling, unusual aggression, persistent coughing, panting, rapid or laboured breathing, burns, blisters, bleeding and eye injuries. Vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive salivation, weakness, tremors or seizures after an animal has licked or eaten an unknown substance or firecracker residue may indicate a serious problem.
For a burn, the animal should first be moved away from the heat source and the affected area cooled under clean, cool running water for about 20 minutes. Ice, oil, ghee, toothpaste or ointments should not be applied without veterinary advice. The area may be lightly covered with a clean, non-stick dressing before the animal is taken for treatment.
If smoke has been inhaled, the animal should be moved to a clean, well-ventilated space. Difficulty breathing, continuous coughing, pale or bluish gums and weakness require urgent veterinary attention. In cases of bleeding, a clean cloth can be used to apply gentle pressure while unnecessary movement is avoided. If poisoning is suspected, the packaging or a safe sample of the substance should be taken to the veterinarian; owners should not induce vomiting or give milk, oil or human medicines without advice.
The guidance also asks residents to collect firecracker remains only after they have cooled completely and to prevent such waste from reaching roads, grazing areas, animal shelters and water sources. Lamps should be placed on stable surfaces away from flammable materials and kept beyond the reach of animals and young children. Local noise and pollution rules should be followed, with residents encouraged to give preference to a fireworks-free celebration. First aid is not a substitute for veterinary examination, and cases involving severe breathing difficulty, seizures, unconsciousness, extensive burns, major bleeding, eye injury or suspected poisoning require immediate veterinary care.
