IIPTF PET FESTIVAL PUNE Vol 12 Issue No 10 October 2019 | Page 14

Pet Care
Provide ample exercise:  Dogs need
to tire themselves both physically
and mentally in order to de-stress
and relax. Long morning walks and
mental activities such as obedience
training will be highly benefi cial for
your dog.
FESTIVE
CARE FOR
PET DOGS
By Poorvaja Kumar*
S
Dog anxiety medication: You should
consult a veterinarian before trying
any new anxiety medication on your
dog.
urrounded
with
colours
and
lights,
gorging
on 
irresistible 
sweets,
we  celebrate festivals with our
friends and families. While the size
of the festive gathering may vary, the
presence of our furry buddies during
the celebrations is inevitable.
As the year draws to an end, the
festive spirit of Navaratri, Dusshera,
and Deepawali, brings with it
excitement and joy among humans,
but also leads to anxiety and distress
in pets.  Some of these situations
include:
• Bursting  fi recrackers  that can
cause fear, confusion, anxiety
and panic in dogs, compelling
them to hide in spaces to avoid
the noise.  The most common
symptoms of fear among dogs due
to fi recrackers include salivation,
trembling, shivering, excessive
barking and loss of appetite.
• Constant encounters with unfamiliar
people  can be both overwhelming
and stressful for your pet.
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• Feeding leftovers and sweets  to
pets may cause severe damage to
their health.
• Decorations and lights  can be
tempting for puppies to play
with, but unfortunately they can
accidently ingest them.
You can follow these ‘festive pet
care tips’ to ensure a safe and joyful
season for both you and your furry
friend.
Create a safe space:  It is important
to give your dog a quiet and secure
space, especially during festivals.
Either crate train or provide a sound
proof room for your dog. Make sure
you start this exercise at least two
weeks before the festive season, in
order to make it a part of your dog’s
daily routine.
Ensure a strict meal schedule:  Do
not feed your dogs any sweets or
savouries. You do not want your
dog to fall ill, especially during the
celebrations.
Do not leave food and decorations
unattended:  Make sure decorations
are properly secured and lamps
and candles are out of the reach of
curious doggies. Kindly do not leave
your pet in a room with food whilst
you are not around.
HAPPY FESTIVITIES TO ALL PETS
AND PET PARENTS!
* Poorvaja Kumar is the Founder
of Humans of Canines (www.
humansofcanines.com), an initiative
dedicated to strengthening the human-
canine bond. Poorvaja is certifi ed in
Canine Training and Dance Movement
Therapy, specialising in the area of
Animal Assisted Interventions. You
can connect with her on Facebook and
Instagram @humansofcanines