Pet owners receive warning over cats and dogs ahead of solar eclipse today
Americans with pets have been sent a warning ahead of the solar eclipse later on Monday (April 8).
A very rare, total solar eclipse will occur in parts of Mexico, North America and Canada later today, and there is certainly a lot of excitement.
The amazing spectacle occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, subsequently blocking its rays from reaching us and casting an incredible shadow.
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It's expected that thousands of Americans will be travelling to the eclipse's path of totality, a path that will see it go through the likes of Mazatlán and Torreón in Mexico; San Antonio, Austin and Dallas in Texas, and Little Rock in Arkansas.
While plenty of warnings have been issued surrounding the eclipse for the general public, you're also going to want to keep an eye on your dogs and cats.
There isn't much information out there about the eclipse’s impact on animals because they happen so infrequently, so it's certainly wise to act with caution.
“And a lot of it’s just been anecdotal reports and just volunteering information," American Kennel Club Chief Veterinary Officer Jerry Klein told CBS.
Thankfully, experts do have some information about how an eclipse can impact our pets.
Dr Katie Krebs, veterinarian and professor at University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, said: “Most animals will be overall unaffected by the eclipse, but pet owners may notice brief periods of confusion, and dogs and cats may exhibit fear and confusion.”
A solar eclipse can enhance uncertainty and anxiety among humans, so pets, considering they don't even know the eclipse is happening, could be a lot worse.
Dr Krebs added that pets may hide, howl, pace or pant during the eclipse and as the sky gets darker, some might start getting into their night-time routine prematurely.
Meanwhile, other pets may display similar behavior to when there are fireworks or a thunderstorm.
Don't worry too much however; it’s said the average indoor dog or cat is likely not to be affected.
Furthermore, you shouldn't even have to worry about your pet damaging their eyes by staring up into the sun during the eclipse.
Erica Cartmill, a professor of anthropology, animal behaviour and cognitive science at Indiana University, told People that the vast majority of dogs and cats won't be interested.
“I think our companion animals are more interested in us, especially dogs, than anything else,” she said.
The expert added: "Dogs know that if something hurts them, they probably shouldn't do it. So left to their own devices, dogs are probably not going to stare at the sun.”
Callum Jones