Diwali cat safety: a room-by-room guide to diyas, decorations and festive food

Diwali brings beautiful lights, fresh flowers, colourful rangoli, and plenty of festive excitement. But for curious cats, those decorations can quickly become hazards. 

Good Diwali cat safety starts before you light the first diya. It’s all in the planning. With a few thoughtful changes, you can make your home festive without putting your cat at risk.

Diwali hazards for cats at a glance

To a cat, a flickering diya is something to swat, a fairy light is a toy and a garland is something to chew. Here's where the risks sit in a typical Indian home.

Living room: make festive lights cat-safe

Diyas and candles. Cornell vets report that burns on paws and tails from swatting at flames are among the most common festive injuries in cats. Cats can also knock a diya over, and spilled oil burns and spreads fire.

• Use battery-operated LED diyas in any room your cat can enter.

• Keep real diyas only where your cat can't reach, such as a closed balcony, inside a locked puja room,  or outside the main door, and never leave them unattended.

• Let oil and wax cool fully before moving them.

Are LED diyas safe for cats? They're far safer than flames. Just secure battery covers, as swallowed button batteries may cause internal burns.

Fairy lights and wires. Chewing a live wire can cause mouth burns or electric shock. Run wires behind furniture, use cord covers, keep strings above jumping height and unplug lights when you go out or go to bed.

Entrance and balcony: garlands, flowers and open doors

Marigold garlands. The marigolds in Indian garlands are usually Tagetes, which is mildly toxic to cats and can cause stomach upset or skin irritation if ingested in bulk. However, the thread is the bigger danger. A swallowed string can anchor in the gut and cut through the intestines as they move, which often needs surgery. Hang garlands high, and sweep up fallen petals and thread daily.

Lilies. Lilies often arrive in Diwali gift bouquets. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, every part of a true lily is toxic to cats, including pollen and vase water, and may cause kidney failure. Keep lilies out of a cat home entirely.

Balconies and doors. With guests coming and going, keep the main door closed and use balcony netting in high-rise flats. A frightened cat can jump or slip out.

Pooja room: camphor, incense and oils

The pooja room puts flames, smoke and strong scents in one place.

• Camphor: toxic if licked or eaten and can cause vomiting or seizures. Store tablets in a closed box.

• Incense, dhoop, diyas: smoke irritates a cat's airways. Keep your cat out while it burns and open a window afterwards. The open flame from these are also a hazard to cats.

• Ghee, oils and essential oils: cats groom spills off their fur, and Cornell vets report chemical burns on cats' tongues from licked essential oils. Wipe spills straight away.

• Small offerings: keep coins, small bells and decorative items in a closed cupboard.

Kitchen and dining: rangoli and festive food

Rangoli. Cats walk through rangoli and lick their paws afterwards. Rice flour and plain turmeric are the gentlest choices. Synthetic coloured powders and glitter can irritate eyes, skin and airways, and beads can be swallowed. Block the area while the rangoli is fresh, and skip loose marigold or lily petals. You can use roses and sunflowers if you want to make a rangoli with flower petals.

Mithai and namkeen. Keep these out of reach:

• Chocolate and anything with raisins

• Namkeen, samosas and chaat, which often contain onion and garlic. Both damage cats' red blood cells.

• Milk sweets, which upset many cats' stomachs

• Foil wrappers and sweet-box string, which they may play with and swallow

Bedroom: a quiet room for fireworks and guests

Set up the quiet room a few days early so it feels familiar. Choose an inner room away from street-facing windows, and add your cat's bed, water, litter tray, a cardboard box or covered hiding spot, and a high shelf to perch on. You may also keep a couple of your clothes in the area, so they can have a familiar scent nearby. Close windows, draw thick curtains and run a fan for steady background noise.

Let your cat hide, and ask guests not to go looking for them. Keep meal and play times as close to normal as you can.

Five checks before guests arrive

1. Cat's-eye sweep: crouch down and look at each room from your cat's height for dangling wires, string and petals.

2. Flame check: no real diya sits on a surface your cat can jump to.

3. Bouquet check: remove any lilies from gift flowers.

4. Food check: sweets and snacks covered or put away.

5. Exit check: balcony net secure, main door closed, and your cat is in the quiet room before the crackers begin.

Comfort and appetite support with BLEP

Stressed cats often eat less during Diwali week. A familiar treat or a tasty topper can help.

Offer small pieces of jerky with fresh water nearby, and let your cat choose. Pour a little broth over their usual food to make it more appealing. But remember, treats and broth support a meal but don't replace one. So if they’re not eating, you must contact the vet. 

Getting your Diwali kit ready? Add BLEP Bone Broth and BLEP Chicken Jerky Treats to your festive shopping list.

Emergency signs and what to do

Frequently Asked Questions

Which flowers are safe for Diwali decorations if I have a cat? 

Roses, sunflowers and orchids are non-toxic to cats. Avoid lilies completely, and keep marigolds also out of reach as much as possible.

How can I tell if fireworks are stressing my cat? 

Look for hiding, flattened ears, wide pupils, a crouched body, peeing outside the litter tray or sudden over-grooming.

Should I let my cat outside during Diwali week? 

No. Bring outdoor cats in before dusk and keep them in until the crackers stop. Frightened cats run far and hide, and may not be able to return to their homes/neighbourhoods on their own.

Is incense smoke bad for cats with asthma?

Yes. Smoke is a common trigger for feline asthma. Don't burn incense or dhoop near a cat.

What should I do if my cat walks through rangoli or gets oil on their fur?

Wipe their paws and fur with a damp cloth before they start grooming, using a little mild, unscented soap for ghee or oil. Don’t use scented human wet wipes, as many contain essential oils. Call your vet if your cat drools, vomits or develops red, irritated skin.

Can I leave my cat home alone while we visit family on Diwali?

Yes, if you prepare first. Put out every real diya, unplug all decorative lights, close windows and the balcony door, and leave your cat in their quiet room with water, food and a litter tray. If your cat is very anxious during fireworks, try not to leave them alone during the peak evening hours.

Looking to explore more tips on how to look after your furry friend? Check out our other guides like 7 things to look for when choosing the best cat food in India, Cat UTI Symptoms, Causes & Treatment, Cat Dehydration: symptoms, causes & how to treat dehydration in cats, Nutrition Food Guide for Senior Cats, Dog Food for Weight Loss, Raw v/s cooked meat for dogs, Home Remedies to cure tick fever, Finding Good Dog Food in India, How many times should I feed my dog?, Things you should do to keep your pet healthy, Types of Dog Food, How Prebiotics and Probiotics can improve your dog's digestion, Essential Tips for a New Dog Parent, and others. Each guide is designed to help you make better food and care choices for your pet, to keep them happy, healthy, and thriving.

Resources

• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Feline Health Center. Beware Holiday Hazards. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/beware-holiday-hazards

• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Cornell Vet Has Holiday Advice for Pet Owners. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/about-us/news/20161206/cornell-vet-has-holiday-advice-pet-owners

• VCA Animal Hospitals. Household Hazards: Holiday Safety Tips for Cat Owners. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/household-hazards---holiday-safety-tips-for-cat-owners

• Pet Poison Helpline. Lilies. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/lilies/

• Pet Poison Helpline. Lilies, Lilies and More Lilies. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/lilies-lilies-and-more-lilies/

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Garden Marigold. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/garden-marigold

• Your Flowers Guide. Marigold Flower (Tagetes): Plant Profile, Care, and FAQs. https://yourflowersguide.com/marigolds/ 

• NC State Extension, Gardener Plant Toolbox. Tagetes erecta (African Marigold). https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/tagetes-erecta/