The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 has many people excited and making preparations, but one aspect that may be overlooked is the safety of pets during the event. Experts advise that pet owners take precautions to ensure their four-legged family members are kept safe. While pets do not need specialized eclipse glasses, there are certain steps owners can take to minimize potential stress and anxiety in their pets during the eclipse. With 70% of U.S. households owning pets, this issue will impact millions of households across the country.
During a solar eclipse, animals may detect light and temperature changes, but their basic reflexes will likely prevent them from looking directly at the sun. It is human reactions that are more likely to startle pets during the event. To prevent stress in animals, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance recommends keeping pets indoors during the eclipse and covering windows and blinds to minimize anxiety. Pet owners should also monitor their pet’s behavior and keep them calm. If there is concern that a pet may have experienced eye damage due to the eclipse, owners should seek veterinary attention promptly.
While some dogs may exhibit typical behaviors during the eclipse, such as acting as they would when it starts to get dark outside, the eclipse itself is unlikely to directly affect pets significantly. Experts recommend leaving animals at home to be safe during the eclipse, as factors like crowds and traffic could impact them. The 2024 eclipse is expected to last for more than four minutes, compared to the 2017 eclipse that lasted about 2½ minutes. Solar eclipses occur when the sun, the moon, and the Earth are almost perfectly aligned, allowing the moon’s shadow to pass across the Earth in a specific path.
According to experts, the next solar eclipse in the U.S. will not occur until more than 20 years from now, on August 23, 2044. Solar eclipses are rare events that happen when the moon’s shadow aligns perfectly with the Earth and the sun. Dr. William Blair, an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University, explains that the moon’s shadow must cross a specific area of space to create a solar eclipse visible on Earth. While pets are unlikely to be directly affected by the eclipse itself, the commotion and changes in the environment could potentially stress them out.
In conclusion, while people are busy preparing for the upcoming total solar eclipse, it is important to consider the safety of pets during the event. With millions of households in the U.S. owning pets, taking precautions to minimize stress and anxiety in animals during the eclipse is crucial. Keeping pets indoors, monitoring their behavior, and seeking veterinary attention if needed are all important steps to ensure that pets remain safe and comfortable during this rare astronomical event.
