Indoor Safe Holi Ideas For Families With Pet

Upasna Yadav | Mar 04, 2026, 13:51 IST
Share
Safe Holi Celebration of Family With Pets
Safe Holi Celebration of Family With Pets
The most colorful festival is just around the corner and so are mouth watering gujiyas, cold drinks , music, colors and parties. It’s easy to get carried away with the festive high and include the animals around us in the celebration. Whether accidental or intentional, when animals are exposed to colors, it can lead to severe health problems like skin infections, blindness, respiratory problems and slow poisoning. Apart from this, forced play and loud music can lead to fear, aggression, trauma and even depression in pets and strays.
Highlights
1. Take your dog for a walk before the streets are filled with people and color, this way you and your pet can avoid getting colored. Walking your dog early morning is also easy on their paws, especially during summers, check out more summer care tips for pets here.
2. Keep your pet indoors, preferably in a place where the music won’t bother their ears. Let them relax with their favourite toys and treats. Don’t forget to keep sufficient food and water around.
3. It's time for celebrations! But first, here are some tips on how to celebrate a pet-safe Holi- Use organic colors instead of regular artificial and chemical filled colors that are toxic to animals. Keep your pets indoor as crowds and loud noises can make them uncomfortable.

Use pet friendly colors



Holi Without Colors: Safe Family Moments
Holi Without Colors: Safe Family Moments


Human colors are extremely toxic for pets, even the organic ones you get in the market, do not use them on any animals. If you must, you can use turmeric, kumkum and beetroot juice to make homemade colors that are safe for your pet. You can just water down the above ingredients to make some pet friendly color.

Make homemade treats

Your house is going to be flooded with gujiyas, jalebis, laddoos and thandai but please don’t let your pet come near them! Don’t think- a little bit is okay. It’s not. Sugar, artificial sweeteners, raisins, nuts and chocolates are some common ingredients in Indian sweets, most of these ingredients are toxic for dogs and cats. Instead, make them some delicious homemade pet friendly treats for Holi.

Celebrate at pet-friendly events



Pet Friendly Holi Fun at Home
Pet Friendly Holi Fun at Home


It’s hard to celebrate without your pets and your pets shouldn't miss out on having fun with you! If you’d really like to be with your pooch for Holi, you can look for Holi events near you that are pet friendly. These events celebrate by using organic Holi colors that are completely safe for your pets while offering them fun activities that make their Holi an unforgettable one!

Protect the strays too

Strays are often forcefully or accidentally colored due to lack of awareness and ignorance amongst people. Educate your neighborhood and the people around you, especially children about the harmful effects of using colors and water balloons on pets. Urge them to be more careful while playing when stray animals are around. You can put up posters describing the dangers on your society notice board. You can even ask the security guards to keep any eye out for strays during the celebrations.

What to do if your dog or cat is exposed to color?

If at all, unfortunately, your pet gets colored or you see a stray dog or cat with color smeared on them, first use a cloth to remove all the dry color, if the color doesn’t seem to come off, use water and pet friendly shampoo meant for cats and dogs and give them a bath. (Use lukewarm water for the bath.) Use a waterless bath for puppies and kittens as a shampoo bath is not recommended for them. Human shampoos can cause skin irritations and rashes when used on animals. Kerosene, turpentine and alcohol shouldn’t be used to remove color from your pet’s coat at any point, even when the colors aren’t coming off, in such cases, you must contact the vet nearest to you. If the color enters their ears, eyes or nose, use water to wash it off and call a vet immediately. If your pet has licked or ingested any color, call your vet immediately and keep an eye out for signs of poisoning like vomiting, excessive drooling, loose tools and hyperactivity.

Some extra precautions you can take:



Creating a Calm Space for Pets During Holi
Creating a Calm Space for Pets During Holi


  • Keep the colors hidden from your pet, especially if your pet is a curious one and definitely not where they can reach them easily.
  • Keep moisture and water away from your pet’s coat as moisture can cause bacterial infections.
  • if your pet is going out, apply some coconut oil on their coat but consult your vet before doing so.
  • Keep fresh water for your pets and the strays in your locality to make sure they don’t consume toxic water.
  • Be there for your pet if they are feeling uncomfortable due to the hoo-hah of the celebration.
  • Always keep an eye out for any signs of poisoning in your pets.
  • Keep a pet emergency kit nearby and make sure it’s stocked up.
  • Keep your vet’s phone number and address visible or save it in your phone.


Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

  1. What are some indoor activities family can enjoy with pets ?

    Families can organize treat-hunting games, gentle indoor play sessions, puzzle toys, photo sessions with safe decorations, or a special pet-friendly snack time to celebrate together.
  2. Can I use natural or homemade Holi colors around my pet ?

    Even homemade or herbal colors can cause irritation if inhaled or ingested. It’s safer to keep colors completely away from pets and celebrate using decorations, flowers, or symbolic rituals instead.
  3. Is it better to keep pets indoors during Holi ?

    Yes, keeping pets indoors during Holi is highly recommended. It protects them from loud noises, strangers, harmful colors, and potential accidents.