How do kite strings injure pets during Makar Sankranti 2026?
During Makar Sankranti, sharp kite strings — particularly manja, a glass-coated or synthetic thread — pose a serious injury risk to dogs, cats, and birds across Delhi. MaxPetz in Delhi offers emergency veterinary care for pets affected by kite string lacerations, and urges pet owners to take preventive steps before and during the festival season.
Makar Sankranti is celebrated annually on 14 January. In 2026, kite flying activity across Delhi's rooftops and open spaces will once again fill the skies — and the ground below — with fallen, tangled manja string. Pets that roam outdoors, or are walked near open areas, face a real risk of deep cuts, entanglement, and in severe cases, life-threatening injuries.
Key fact: Manja string — whether traditional cotton-and-glass or synthetic nylon — retains its cutting edge even after falling to the ground. A pet walking through a tangle can sustain lacerations to the paws, neck, or limbs within seconds.
Why is manja string so dangerous for pets and birds in Delhi?
Manja is the thread used for competitive kite flying. Traditional manja is cotton string coated with a paste of ground glass and adhesive. Synthetic manja — made from nylon or other polymer fibres — is even sharper and does not biodegrade. Both types are capable of causing severe lacerations.
For Delhi residents, the risk is concentrated around Makar Sankranti (14 January) but drifted and discarded manja remains on rooftops, trees, and streets for days or weeks after the festival.
Why pets are especially vulnerable:
- Dogs and cats move at low height, directly through fallen string tangles on pavements and parks.
- Pets cannot identify or avoid manja the way humans can.
- String that wraps around a limb or neck can tighten as the animal moves, cutting off circulation.
- Birds — including urban pigeons, mynas, and kites — are struck mid-flight or become entangled in airborne string.
- Curious pets may attempt to chew or pull at fallen string, risking oral lacerations.
Warning: Synthetic nylon manja is banned in several Indian states due to the severity of injuries it causes to humans, birds, and animals. However, enforcement varies and illegal manja continues to circulate. Treat all kite string as potentially hazardous.
What injuries do manja strings cause to dogs and cats?
Kite string injuries range from superficial cuts to severe, life-threatening trauma. The injury pattern depends on how the string contacts the animal and how long it remains in contact.
| Injury Type | Body Area Affected | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Laceration | Paws, limbs, neck, abdomen | Mild to severe |
| Entanglement / Constriction | Neck, limbs, tail | Severe — can restrict blood flow |
| Deep tissue injury | Underlying muscle or tendon | Severe — requires surgical assessment |
| Oral lacerations | Tongue, gums, palate | Moderate to severe |
| Eye injury | Cornea, eyelid | Severe — risk of vision loss |
Entanglement injuries are particularly dangerous because a pet's instinct to pull free causes the string to tighten further. Do not attempt to pull manja free with bare hands — use blunt-nosed scissors or seek immediate veterinary assistance.
How do I keep my pet safe from kite strings during Makar Sankranti in Delhi?
Prevention is the most effective strategy. MaxPetz in Delhi recommends the following measures for pet owners in the days surrounding Makar Sankranti 2026 (around 14 January):
- Keep pets indoors during peak kite-flying hours, typically late morning through late afternoon on festival day and the days immediately following.
- Inspect outdoor areas before walks. Check pavements, parks, and open grounds for fallen manja before allowing your pet to walk freely. Carry a stick or wear gloves to move string safely.
- Use a short leash. Keep dogs on a short, controlled leash in areas where kite flying has occurred. Avoid retractable leads that allow pets to move into unseen tangles.
- Avoid rooftop access. Do not allow pets onto rooftops or terraces during or after kite flying — fallen string accumulates heavily in these areas.
- Check paws and coat after every outing. Run your hands carefully along your pet's legs, paws, neck, and abdomen after any outdoor time during the festival period.
- Provide enrichment indoors. Reduce your pet's frustration at being kept inside by offering puzzle feeders, play sessions, and safe chew toys.
- Alert neighbours. Inform fellow residents about the risk to animals so communal outdoor spaces can be checked and cleared of manja promptly.
Tip: Manja discarded after Makar Sankranti can remain hazardous for weeks. Continue checking outdoor routes for fallen string through late January.
What should I do if my pet is cut by a kite string?
If your pet sustains a kite string injury, act quickly and calmly. The steps below are first-aid guidance only — a veterinary assessment is essential for any wound caused by manja, even if the cut appears minor, because glass-coated string can cause deeper tissue damage than is visible on the surface.
- Do not pull the string. If manja is still wrapped around your pet, do not pull it free with bare hands. Use blunt-nosed scissors to carefully cut the string away, or wrap your hands in thick cloth before handling it.
- Control bleeding. Apply gentle, firm pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or gauze. Do not use cotton wool directly on an open wound.
- Do not apply home remedies. Avoid applying turmeric, oil, or antiseptic powders to deep lacerations before veterinary assessment — these can complicate wound cleaning.
- Keep your pet calm and still. Restrict movement to prevent the wound from worsening. Carry small pets; use a lead and calm voice for larger dogs.
- Go to a veterinary clinic immediately. Lacerations from manja require professional wound assessment, cleaning, and in many cases, suturing. Delay increases the risk of infection and complications.
Emergency signs — seek veterinary care immediately if your pet shows: heavy or uncontrolled bleeding, string wrapped tightly around the neck or a limb, difficulty breathing, collapse or extreme lethargy, pale or white gums, or a wound near the eye.
Why choose MaxPetz Delhi for kite string injury emergency care?
MaxPetz in Delhi provides veterinary emergency care with cutting-edge technology and compassionate service for pets affected by festival-related injuries, including manja lacerations and entanglement trauma.
- Emergency veterinary assessment for lacerations, deep tissue injuries, and entanglement wounds
- Wound cleaning, debridement, and surgical closure where required
- Pain management and post-wound infection control
- Compassionate handling for distressed animals presenting after traumatic injury
- Guidance for pet owners on wound aftercare and recovery monitoring
During Makar Sankranti 2026 and the days that follow, MaxPetz Delhi is prepared to support pet owners across the city who need urgent veterinary attention for their animals.
Book a consultation at MaxPetz Delhi
If your pet has been injured by kite string, or you want to discuss preventive care ahead of Makar Sankranti, use the booking form on this page to reach our veterinary team.