Solar eclipse 2024: How to keep your pets safe during the eclipse
Pets are members of our families. They love us unconditionally, and in turn, we promise to keep them safe. So, Channel 11 wanted to find out what pet owners need to know about the potentially effect of the solar eclipse.
“There’s actually no current research that celestial events like solar eclipses have any direct effect on our companion animals. But we do know there are researchers taking this opportunity to look into what, if any impact these events have on our pets,” said Animal Friends VP of Operations Lauren Leffakis said.
Like humans, pets have internal clocks.
“Pets notice changes in their environment. They’re very sensitive to changes in their routine,” said Leffakis.
She added that dogs who get anxious and hide, shake or pant during thunderstorms or fireworks or thunderstorms could feel the same anxiety during the eclipse.
“The best thing to do is to keep their routine the same,” Leffakis stressed. “If you can find a special
place in the house where you know they like to spend time, maybe have their bed their favorite blankets and toys and treats for them to really help keep things calm. You can pull shades if you’re a little worried about the changes in lighting.”
Other dogs could get confused by the shift in light and think it’s dinner time or even bedtime.
“Keep things as consistent as possible. So normal feeding times, normal times that you do your play or your activities with them will really really help to keep things consistent,” Leffakis said.
And just when you think cats won’t care, Leffakis said there are cats who are very sensitive to change.
“There’s things that you can do to kind of help calm them down different enrichment activities. You could do a little puzzle toy with them, maybe engage in a little bit of play or just do some cuddles, if that’s something that your cat enjoys,” Leffakis said.
The bottom line is consistancy and routine are key - from cats, dogs, hamsters, bunnies to reptiles. That means leaving them out of eclipse watch parties or neighborhood gatherings.
“We would probably recommend keeping everyone on the house. Definitely keeping our cats indoors is the safest. For dogs, if you do generally go on a walk. Maybe avoid that specific time of day for your walk,” Leffakis said.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
TRENDING NOW:
GetGo giving away free solar eclipse glasses 2 Pennsylvania Lottery Powerball tickets worth $300K sold in local counties Inspectors find violations at Sushi Bomb in Robinson after multiple reports of foodborne illness VIDEO: https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/pirates-opening-day-what-know-before-you-go/6FCGFNJKEJGPTLPW4AUVJ4P5BY/ DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
