Pets and the Eclipse: Keeping Them Safe

You're probably ready for the eclipse, right? You may have purchased your solar eclipse glasses. You may have planned a party for the eclipse. But there is something you may not even be thinking about when it comes to preparing for Monday, and that is the safety of your pets.

If you have a dog and have them outside during the eclipse, you should just make sure they aren't looking directly at the sun. The good news is that cats and dogs do not inherently look directly at the sun. It hurts their eyes just like it does to us. 

STAYING SAFE DURING THE ECLIPSE:

• TIPS: Using Your Smartphone To Take Photos of Monday's Eclipse
• WARNING: There are Tons of Counterfeit Eclipse Glasses Hitting the Market

But there are other ways your pets may be impacted. If the sky darkens signficantly during totality, it's likely that your pet may sense what is happening. It could confuse them too when the temperature drops, according to professors at Villanova University.

The other concern is that people get excited when viewing the eclipse and sometimes scream and get excited. This obviously could spook your pets. So keep a close on your cat or dog on Monday, but they should be OK. 

MORE ECLIPSE COVERAGE:

• Bonnie Tyler Will Perform "Total Eclipse of the Heart" During The Eclipse On a Cruise Ship
• Texas Mother Asks to Reschedule Eclipse For Her Kids
• 5 of Our Favorite Solar Eclipse Superstitions