Did you hear? There's a total eclipse coming to the U.S. on Monday, April 8?
Southeast Pennsylvania will not experience the complete effect, only 90%, but it will definitely be noticeable. There have been many articles done on what humans need to do to view the event, the best spots to view it, but do you have to worry about your pets?
“You don't need to be worried — this is a short event and changes in pet behaviors will be temporary,” said Dr. Katie Krebs, assistant professor of clinical primary care at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia, in an email. “After the eclipse, pets should go back to their normal routine. Animals that depend more on the light/dark cycle, like birds, may be more affected, but changes in behavior will be short-lived.”
She explained most animals are smart enough to not look directly at the sun themselves, but their attention may be drawn up to the sky if the people around them are looking up and drawing attention to the eclipse event. No special eclipse glasses are needed for your pet, Krebs said.
“Keeping them inside is the best way to prevent them from looking directly at the sun,” she added. “Also, avoid bringing pets to eclipse viewing parties, as crowds can cause many pets anxiety, and they may be more likely to look at the sun if everyone else is looking and pointing. Keep your pet’s routine the same during the eclipse and maintain a sense of normalcy for them.
“You can provide extra enrichment like treats or toys to help distract your pet. And if your pet is normally anxious, you could consider anti-anxiety medication for them during the eclipse, but always make sure to check with your veterinarian before giving your dog or cat medications. If you plan to stay home during the eclipse, your pet may seek out extra attention or comfort, so providing them with extra comfort and reassurance may help. “
Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization with headquarters in Kanab, Utah, also issued a statement with tips for people with pets.
“Animals can be uniquely sensitive to environmental changes, such as thunderstorms or full moons,” said Dr. Colleen Guilfoyle, veterinarian, Best Friends Animal Society. “During a solar eclipse, animals may become disoriented or confused due to the sudden changes in light depending on where you are in relation to the path of totality.”
Best Friends’ tips:
• The best way to avoid any potential issues is to keep pets indoors and in a familiar environment.
• Consider closing curtains or blinds to minimize the potential of eclipse exposure.
• Expecting extra guests for the eclipse? Implement additional measures to prevent pets from escaping, such as using a baby gate or keeping them on a leash.
• If a pet has previously shown signs of stress in similar situations, use your previous management routine (such as using compression clothing) or consult your veterinarian beforehand for advice on managing their anxiety. This might involve using supplements, pheromones, or medications to ensure they have a comfortable experience during the eclipse.
• If the dimness during the event causes your pet to rest or take a nap, let them do so, as one of the perks of being a pet is the freedom to nap whenever they want.
• If you will be outdoors with your pet during the eclipse, make sure to keep them on a leash and close to you, avoiding noisy and large groups of people.
• As always, make sure your pet has a microchip and that the information linked to the microchip is up to date.
The New York Times published an incredibly detailed article earlier this week on how animals in homes, on farms, in zoos and in the wild may react to Monday’s four-minute darkening of the sky. The experts they spoke with said animals may start their nighttime behaviors.
They also gave similar information to what Krebs and Guilfoyle did.
