Expert tips to keep your pets safe and stress-free during the celestial event.
Before the next one total solar eclipse on April 8, pet owners are looking for advice on how to best protect their pet companions during this rare celestial event.
Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinarian for the American Kennel Club, answered some major questions for “Good Morning America,” including whether pets can be harmed by watching the eclipse and how to keep pets safe.
Is the eclipse dangerous for animals?
The eclipse promises to be amazing show for humans, especially for those in the path of totality experiencing the full eclipse. However, the event can potentially stress or confuse the animal, according to the American Kennel Club.
Klein suggests that pet owners “do things as much as you can to keep everything as routine as possible, because dogs and cats rely so much on routine.”
Animals, especially dogs and cats, it is unlikely to see directly to the sun because of their instincts, which minimizes the risk of eye damage, according to the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
According to Klein and the AKCmost dogs “just look up to the sky if something flies overhead or catches their attention.”
“In nature, we never see animals looking at the sun,” Klein told “GMA.” “As a veterinarian, when I have to look into their eyes to look at their retina, dogs or cats don’t like it that way. Nature is very smart if you let them be natural and don’t force them to do something that’s not normal for them.”
Do pets have to be inside during the eclipse?
Keep up indoor pets, away from the excitement and unusual activity surrounding eclipse events, can prevent anxiety. This is particularly important as the events may disturb the animals more than the eclipse itself.
Will the eclipse stress my pet?
tea American Kennel Club advises that the primary concern for animals during an eclipse is not the eclipse itself, but the potential stress caused by changes in their environment or the reactions of their owners.
Klein suggests that if your pets are by themselves during the heavenly occurrence to “turn on the lights before leaving, have a television going and keep everything as consistent as possible.” Observing pets for any signs of distress, such as hiding or crying, and creating a calming environment for them are recommended measures.
Keeping the animal in a familiar environment can help prevent anxiety, the AKC states
