As excitement builds for Monday's nationwide solar eclipse, humans aren't the only ones enjoying the rare phenomenon. So, are there any safety measures you should take for your pet during a solar eclipse?
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Experts have revealed that the safest way for humans to view a solar eclipse is by wearing special glasses to prevent vision loss when looking directly at the sun, but pets should also wear similar glasses. No eye protection required.
“There's no reason to worry about it at all,” says Melanie Monteiro, a pet safety expert who teaches pet first aid classes in The Safe-Dog Handbook: A Complete Guide to Protect Your Pooch, Indoors. He is also the author of “And Outdoors''. told TODAY.com.
“Dogs and cats don't usually look up at the sun, so there's no need for special eye protection for your pet.”
However, while it is not normal behavior for your cat or dog to look up at the sun, it can be okay if you take extra precautions.
pets and solar eclipse
Do not try to allow your pet to view the solar eclipse, as this can cause damage to your pet's eyes. (Dogs and cats usually don't look directly at the sun on their own.)
Otherwise, there is no hard data on the dangers to pets during a solar eclipse, American Veterinary Medical Association spokesman Michael San Filippo said today. However, there are stories of cows returning to the barn and chickens returning to roost during a solar eclipse.
“If you look at past evidence, there is no history of dogs showing up the day after a solar eclipse with pet blindness or anything like that,” he said.
Dr. Carly Fox, a veterinarian at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, told the American Animal Hospital Association that she has also not seen any documented reports of eclipse-related eye damage in pets.
The biggest risk to pets during a solar eclipse is taking them to areas that are crowded with people watching the solar eclipse.
“I think that's what we're really concerned about when we talk about risk,” San Filippo said. “I'm planning to go somewhere with lots of people and loud noises. How will my pet react to that?”
“For such events, we recommend keeping it at home,” he added.
If you decide to bring your pet to see the eclipse, San Filippo and Monteiro both said it's important to keep your pet on a leash.
“Pets stimulate our behavior so much that if you're out with your dog watching the eclipse and freaking out, your dog probably isn't reacting to the eclipse. It’s reacting to your actions,” San Filippo said.
So if you're taking your pet to see the eclipse, it's important to stay calm, advises Fox, adding, “Pets are sensitive to human emotions and behavior, so it's important to stay calm.” It’s important,” he added.
Keeping pets on the same schedule and doing familiar activities to prevent stress can also be beneficial for pets, Fox said. And try to walk your dog before a solar eclipse occurs in your area.
If you are traveling with your pet to see the eclipse, be aware that driving may take longer than expected due to the millions of people who travel to see the eclipse. please. Therefore, make sure you have enough essentials to keep your pet comfortable in the car.
And be sure to put a collar on your pet with your contact information and have a recent photo of your pet handy in case the eclipse spooks it and it tries to freak out.
Is it safe for my pet to go outside during a solar eclipse?
“We encourage pet owners to keep their pets indoors if possible and keep them confined as they do during the Fourth of July and other similar events,” Monteiro said. “If you have a pet that is normally sensitive to changes in the weather, the atmosphere alone as temperatures drop and the skies darken can cause them to become agitated.”
San Filippo agreed that it's best to keep pets indoors for events like solar eclipses.
Signs of eye damage in pets
Again, animals don't look directly at the sun, so it's unlikely your pet will suffer eye damage from a solar eclipse.
However, if you're still concerned, Fox suggested looking out for signs of eye damage in your pet.
- narrow your eyes
- secretions from the eyes
- changes in the appearance of the eyes
If you notice any of these in your pet a few days after the eclipse, contact your veterinarian.
