TOLEDO, Ohio — Many Americans are preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical spectacle as a total solar eclipse passes through parts of the country on April 8. NASA warns those planning to observe the solar eclipse to use proper eye protection for solar viewing, but consider how future solar eclipses may affect your pets. Have you ever?
Regardless of the type of pet you own, the sun's rays can damage the retina of your eye.
Staring at the sun, especially for long periods of time, is harmful to humans and pets alike. Ultraviolet rays from sunlight can increase the risk of blindness if not properly protected.The sunglasses are do not have To safely view a solar eclipse, both people and pets need protective eyewear approved to international ISO standards.
If you're concerned about your pet's eyes, it's safest to stay indoors.
Pets instinctively know not to stare directly at the sun, so if there's a sudden change from light to darkness, your pet won't stare at the sky. If you decide to stay home during the eclipse, the transition to totality won't cause your pet to react instinctively or cause your pet to stare directly at the sun.
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Generally, a total solar eclipse affects dogs more than cats. The greatest of these effects will be social rather than physical.
Public parks, viewing parties, and outdoor areas will be filled with tourists and locals, and many will bring their pets to watch the eclipse. April 8 Crowds can cause social anxiety in dogs, especially if your pet struggles with large crowds and crowded places.
If your dog has social anxiety, consider keeping them home during the eclipse.
In 2017, the path of totality stretched perpendicular to the 2024 path from the southeastern United States to the Pacific Northwest. In Wyoming, where a total solar eclipse was observed in 2017, 75% of tourists came from outside the state.
On the other side of the country, South Carolina also experienced a total solar eclipse in 2017. 1.6 million tourists flooded the state. Of those, 50%, or 800,000, were from outside the state.
In total, about 708,000 tourists traveled to Nebraska, which is about halfway between the other two eclipse viewing destinations, 87% of which were from out of state. The 2017 total solar eclipse was the most significant tourism event in Nebraska history.
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These numbers give you an idea of how big of an impact the 2024 total solar eclipse will have on the Buckeye State.
According to 2017 data, at least half of the tourists come from outside the state, and public areas are crowded. Many of these tourists travel with their furry friends, so the park can be filled with dogs of varying social tendencies. If your dog acts out in public, shows aggressive or violent tendencies, or feels anxious or fearful, it's best to leave your pet at home during the eclipse.
In general, cats will be much less likely to “purr” with an eclipse.
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Your feline friend probably won't be phased by a full transition and a few minutes of immersion in the dark, but the change in routine can bother your cat. Providing snacks, comfort, and distraction during a total solar eclipse can help pass the time while reducing side effects. Indoor cats are largely unaffected by solar eclipses, but outdoor pets may notice changes in light during the day.
Wild animals and zoo animals are most affected by a total solar eclipse.
A case study shows abnormal behavior of zoo animals during past solar eclipses. During the 2017 total solar eclipse, South Carolina's Riverbanks Zoo surveyed animals in their enclosures and noted that 76% exhibited unusual behavior in the darkness of the eclipse.
Many of these abnormal behaviors are characteristic of the evening routine and demonstrate the effects of darkness on the animals' natural circadian rhythms. For example, one giraffe rocked back and forth during a total solar eclipse, returning to normal behavior when sunlight returned. Most animals returned to normal behavior upon return to normal daylight.
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Wildlife exhibits unusual behavior during totality, often going about their evening routine during the day as darkness suddenly sets in. Studies of diurnal animals such as squirrels and deer show that the arrival of darkness increases activity that is normally associated with the evening. Squirrels run around much more during an eclipse, and this hyperactivity lasts for several hours after the eclipse.
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Total darkness also affects nocturnal animals, with frogs and crickets beginning to chirp due to their nighttime perception during total darkness. Bats and owls also become active as darkness sets in during the eclipse. Wildlife associates darkness with night, so they exhibit nighttime-related behaviors during a solar eclipse. Learn more about how the April 8 total solar eclipse will affect wildlife.
