As the days draw closer to Monday’s historic total solar eclipse, medical experts have stressed the importance of wearing proper eye protection, warning those who fail to do so could suffer potentially serious eye damage.
This advice has pet owners wondering if the eclipse could also damage their pets’ eyes and whether it would be best to keep their four-legged friends indoors.
The celestial event won’t pose much danger to pets, said Dr. Carly Fox, a veterinarian in New York.
“Unlike humans, animals don’t know an eclipse is happening, so they are very unlikely to look directly at the sun,” Fox told the American Animal Hospital Association. “So most of the time your dog or cat will be perfectly fine.”
But if the eclipse excites you more than usual, your pet might notice your change in behavior.
Pets are more likely to worry about humans behaving differently than about the eclipse itself, according to the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
If you have an anxious pet, do your best to stay calm.
“Animals are sensitive to our emotions and actions, so remaining calm is essential,” Fox said.
Although the eclipse may change your plans for Monday, to minimize stress it’s essential to keep your pet’s routine as normal as possible. Although eye damage is unlikely, it’s a good idea to keep your pet indoors while the show is happening, whether you are in the path of the totality or not.
In addition to this change, maintain their regular schedule of feeding, walking and exercise, according to veterinarians.
If you’re taking a road trip to the celestial event and considering taking your pet with you, you may want to reconsider. The Indiana Animal Health Council previously urged eclipse watchers to leave their pets at home, especially if they are around other animals and unfamiliar people and in busy areas .
If you decide to venture out of town, consider creating a calming atmosphere for your pet before you leave. Suggestions include leaving the lights on and playing calming music.
As a veterinarian with 15 years of experience, Fox said she hasn’t seen any eclipse-related eye damage in pets and hasn’t discovered any documented cases either.
But if this possibility still worries you, there are some signs to watch for.
““Squinting, any discharge from the eye, any change in the appearance of the eye or any change in the animal’s vision,” Fox said.
If you’re wondering if it’s a good idea to put glasses on your pet, avoid doing so. This could cause additional stress to the animal, according to veterinarians.
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