Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, April 27: Non-vegetarian delicacies are off from John’s platter and he has to depend on a dairy diet.

John is an eight-year-old Alsatian of dentist N.B. Panda at Jayadev Vihar in Bhubaneswar, who has turned vegetarian with the mercury rising this month.

The dog, which mainly likes non-vegetarian diet, now depends on two major meals consisting of chapati and rice with milk or curd. Liquid diet in between the two major ones is also given to John, which consists of milk and curd. However, it is served with ice cubes to so that he does not pant.

Dipti Panda, the dentist’s wife, says: “Around 9am, John takes breakfast of chapati with milk or curd, at 1.30pm, curd milk or milk is given and again he takes eats curd rice around 4.30 or 5pm. We are avoiding non-vegetarian diet following an advice from our local veterinarian.’’

John is not the only pet to have turned completely or partially vegetarian, but many in Bhubaneswar are following a similar diet chart on the advice of the veterinarians.

Niranjan Sahu, professor of medicine at the College of Veterinary Science, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, says: “It is a positive trend among pet lovers of keeping the pets inside their house like a family member enabling the animals stay in an air-conditioned environment. However, if the pet is staying outside, like a dog in a kennel, it should receive special care.’’

“The pet should be kept in a relatively cooler place and the diet could be mostly with vegetarian elements at least for the summer season. The second major meal (lunch) can be little delayed and after giving breakfast by 10am or 11am, the second meal should be served around 7pm for better physiology and digestion,’’ Sahu adds.

Senior veterinary expert Balaram Sahu suggests that if there is any need for immunisation, the pet should be given the same in the early morning.

“If the owner has started the practice of bathing the pet daily, he or she should continue it without a fail. Dogs not used to the daily bathing practice should be given a shower at least twice a week during summer,’’ he says.

The caretakers of the dog squad at Crime Branch in Cuttack are also taking special care for the entire team of 15 dogs. The dogs are provided with glucose mixed in water and provided in a gap of one to two hours on a regular basis. While engaged in duty, the handlers or masters of each dog also carry glucose packets with them.

“The dogs are given a bath every week in summer instead of 15 days in other seasons. During summer, special care is also provided towards the daily grooming, sponging and brushing of each dogs and the bathing time is between 7.30am and 8am,’’ said an official.

The existing 18 kennel rooms inside the facility have each room fitted with a fan, but no water cooler. However, traditionally made khus mats are used to keep each room cool. Water is sprinkled on the khus screens three times in a day.

There is a water channel in front of each kennel room, which acts a natural barrier to prevent entry of other animals including snakes. Similarly, it also keeps the environment cooler. The location of the centre has a lot of greenery and tree cover, which acts as natural coolant.