How to prepare your pet for the 2024 solar eclipse

pet

by Brooke Steinberg

A total solar eclipse is scheduled for Monday, April 8th, and it's time to get ready with your special glasses.

If you are a pet owner, you may want to make sure your pet is safe as well.

Whether you're traveling to see the eclipse or staying at home, you may be wondering how to properly prepare and keep your pet safe.

Can a solar eclipse blind my pet?

You may have a hard time finding special glasses for solar eclipses, but you don't have to worry about getting glasses for your pet.

Thankfully, dogs don't naturally stare at the sun, and will only look up to the sky if something is flying overhead or captures their attention.

“They know very well what not to do,” says Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinarian for the American Kennel Club.

He quipped, “That's why they're smarter than humans.”

According to Maybeck Veterinary Hospital, a solar eclipse is less likely to harm your pet than a normal sunny day.

“Dogs and cats typically stare directly at the sun and dislike the bright light it emits,” the veterinary hospital said in a blog post. “The discomfort caused by squinting is enough to negate the curiosity of looking directly at the sun.”

However, keeping your pet indoors just in case won't hurt and will help you avoid anxiety.

Don't force your furry friend to experience an eclipse too. Probably they won't care.

“Do not let your dog look into the sun, even if he wears glasses,” Klein says. “Dogs naturally don't want to look up, so you shouldn't force them to look up.”

Klein also said that while it can be fun to take pictures of your dog wearing quirky eclipse glasses, don't let your dog do bad things like eat the glasses.

Are solar eclipses dangerous for pets?

Although there is no immediate danger, be on the lookout for signs of stress or anxiety.

Total solar eclipses are extremely rare, and you may not even realize that a total solar eclipse is happening unless you're in the middle of it.

Fortunately, this means that the stress caused by once-in-a-lifetime events is temporary.

According to the AKC, the most obvious signs of stress are a puppy running away or hiding, but also crying, panting, pacing, barking excessively, licking their lips, and yawning. There are also more subtle signs, such as:

To help your dog feel less stressed, you can try playing calming music or distracting him with his favorite toy or treat.

However, we humans are more likely to cause stress to our pet companions during the eclipse than the eclipse itself.

“This is a huge opportunity,” Klein said. “We're going to change this from a natural event to an unnatural event. It will involve travel, crowds, parties, fireworks, etc. These are the things most likely to cause problems for your dog. That’s the thing.”

“Like any other event like the Fourth of July, you want to keep the dogs under control,” he added. “If you can keep your dog out of crowded areas, do so. If that's not possible, keep your dog on a leash and make sure he feels safe.”

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) emphasized that pets tend to mirror human behavior, so if you're stressed or anxious, they're likely to be too.

Dogs and cats are often dependent on their daily routines, so it's best to do what you can to keep them as normal as possible.