The solar eclipse will affect more than just the humans in its path. Animals, too, will notice things are amiss.
“Some animals may change their behavior patterns,” said Dr. Don Betts, veterinarian and owner at Driggs Vet. Dr. Betts has been caring for animals in the valley since the 1970s.
Don’t expect animals to get too crazy.
“The animals that are active during the day will potentially think that night has come and go to do their night things,” Dr. Betts explained. “When the eclipse goes by and it gets light again they’ll wake up and think it’s the start of a whole new short day.”
This means pets will expect to follow their evening routines.
“The dog that lays on the couch all day will want to get up and go for a walk with mom and dad maybe,” Dr. Betts said. “The cats will do their thing and be pretty much unaffected.”
Similarly, larger domesticated animals may head in to the barn for supper and then leave when it gets light again.
However, because animals will associate the eclipse with evening, don’t expect them to stare in wonder like human beings.
"On a normal day, your pets don't try to look at the sun, and therefore don't damage their eyes. And on this day they're not going to do it either," Angela Speck, director of astronomy and a professor of astrophysics at the University of Missouri, explained at a NASA news conference.
Expect the most animal confusion to be more pronounced after the eclipse.
During scientific studies of animals in Africa, researchers observed hippos begin to head towards their evening feeding grounds when an eclipse began.
“Sunlight returned before any of the herd had reached the riverbanks, and the study reported an apparent sense of confusion, even apprehension among the animals,” explains a report in Sciencing.com. “They continued in this state, seemingly, for the rest of the day.”
This confusion may impact wildlife, so experts recommend to keep your distance, especially when it comes to larger animals, such as moose.
Owners concerned about alleviating stress on their pets have some options.
“There are some drugs available,” said Dr. Betts. “There’s an herbal formulation called Stress Away. It does seem to help. You can feed them just like treats. There’s also pheromones you can spray in the air or plug into the house.”
Dr. Betts also mentioned thundershirts, tight-fitting clothing for animals designed to make them more comfortable.
“It’s like giving them a hug — they feel more enclosed and safer,” he explained.
During the eclipse, keep your eyes and ears open to the different animal behaviors.
“It will be interesting,” Dr. Betts said.
