Keeping Your Cat Safe During Festivals and Travel Season

In this guide

Festivals bring joy to Indian households, but for cats they often mean loud noises, unfamiliar guests, open flames and, sometimes, an empty house while the family travels. A little planning goes a long way towards keeping your cat safe and calm.

Diwali, New Year and firecracker season

The sudden bangs of firecrackers are frightening for most cats, and a startled cat can bolt straight out of an open door or window. This applies just as much to New Year's Eve fireworks as it does to Diwali. Keep your cat in a quiet, secure inner room with the windows shut and curtains drawn during the peak hours of noise, along with familiar bedding, water and a litter tray. Make sure your cat is wearing an ID tag or has a microchip, in case it does manage to slip out.

Holi and coloured powders

Keep cats indoors and away from gulal and coloured water during Holi. Many colours contain chemicals that can irritate skin, eyes or the respiratory tract if inhaled or licked off fur. If your cat does get colour on its coat, wipe it off gently with a damp cloth as soon as possible rather than waiting for a bath.

General festival and holiday hazards

• Diyas, candles and string lights left within reach can cause burns or be knocked over
• Sweets and festive food, especially anything containing chocolate or excess sugar, should be kept well out of reach
• Decorative wires and fairy lights are tempting to chew and pose an electrocution risk
• Guests coming and going raise the risk of a cat slipping out unnoticed

Before you travel

Whether you are heading out for a festival trip or a longer holiday, arrange a trusted cat sitter or a reputable boarding facility well in advance, since good options fill up quickly around major Indian holidays and the Christmas to New Year travel window in particular. Save the number of a 24 hour emergency vet clinic in your city before you leave, and brief whoever is looking after your cat on feeding routine, litter habits and any medication.

Article content © Ravi Teja. All rights reserved.