SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — There's a solar eclipse coming up and you can't explain to your dog or cat not to look at the sun. So what can you do to protect your dog or cat? Ozarks First spoke to a local veterinarian for advice on keeping a happy pet during an eclipse.
On April 8, 2024, the eastern Ozarks will enter a path of totality, covering approximately 97% of the Sun in Springfield. No matter where you live, you should protect your eyes if you plan to view the eclipse. Sunglasses alone will not be enough.
While some people may be considering bringing their pets with them when watching the event, Dr. Phillip Brown of the Springfield Animal Shelter says pet owners should leave their pets at home. He says that he might get angry.
“It's probably best to keep them indoors,” Dr. Brown says. He said he has never met a patient who directly links eye damage to a solar eclipse, but he believes it is possible. Pet owners may not understand the connection between their dog's blindness and solar eclipses.
Dr. Brown believes that other likely issues may be related to this event and would be easily recognized by pet owners.
“Sudden darkness can trigger a similar reaction to a storm,” Dr. Brown says. He said sudden darkness can cause animals to become disoriented, leading to behaviors such as jumping over fences, hiding or running away.
“If you have a dog with you, try to protect your dog's eyes as much as possible,” Brown said.
For pets that normally stay indoors, Brown recommends closing curtains or blinds during the eclipse.
“If you have a pet that has storm anxiety, you're likely to see similar behavior during an eclipse,” Dr. Brown says. “You can also talk to your veterinarian about medication to calm anxiety.”
In the Ozarks, the eclipse will begin at 12:36 PM CST and will already reach everyone around 1:54 PM.
The solar eclipse will end by 3:12 p.m.
