Urgent solar eclipse warning issued to pet owners ahead of rare event this week
Pet owners have been issued an urgent warning ahead of a rare solar eclipse set to light up the skies this week.
The astronomical event will take place on Wednesday (12 August), with a total solar eclipse visible across parts of the world.
While the UK won't experience totality, a partial solar eclipse will be visible across much of the country, with the Moon passing in front of the Sun and causing daylight to noticeably dip.
And while humans will no doubt be scrambling to get their eclipse glasses ready, experts have warned that our four-legged friends could react differently to the sudden change in light.
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A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking some or all of the Sun's rays from reaching the Earth.
The rare cosmic event requires the Sun, Moon and Earth to be in just the right alignment for the Moon to cast a shadow across our planet.
For pets, though, the sudden change from daylight to darkness could leave some feeling a little confused.
Dr Linda Simon, Pooch & Mutt's Resident Vet, said: "A solar eclipse is a fascinating moment for us, but for our pets it can feel like the sky is pulling a bit of a stunt. When daylight suddenly dips, some dogs may pause and give that classic ‘something’s different… but I’m not sure what’ look, while cats might behave as though they’ve witnessed a minor cosmic inconvenience."
She added: "Most pets won’t pay attention to the eclipse itself; they’re far more focused on their humans, their routine, and whether dinner is running on time. The sudden change in light or owners acting unusually (‘Why is Dad wearing cardboard glasses indoors?’) tends to be far more confusing for them than the eclipse."
So, while your dog might briefly wonder why the sky has suddenly gone a bit weird, there's generally no need to panic.
The main thing is to keep their routine as normal as possible and give them somewhere calm to retreat to if they seem unsettled.
Dr Simon said: "There’s no need to worry about special eclipse glasses for pets. They’re very unlikely to look directly at the sun, and anything placed around their face can feel uncomfortable or stressful. Pets tend to instinctively avoid staring at bright light, so simply keeping them relaxed and indoors is more than enough."
That means there's no need to fashion a tiny pair of cardboard specs for your cat, thankfully.
If your pet does become anxious, there are a few simple things you can do to help them through it.
"If your pet is sensitive to unexpected changes, keep things calm and predictable. Closing the curtains can help if the darkening sky unsettles them, and offering a favourite chew or toy provides a reassuring distraction. For pets who prefer a quieter life, a cosy safe space works wonders until everything brightens again," Dr Simon explained.
Some dogs and cats can begin displaying their usual evening behaviours as the sky darkens, while others may show signs of anxiety such as hiding, panting or pacing.
And if your pet is the particularly dramatic sort, Dr Simon has some final advice.
"For most households, the eclipse will pass without any drama. But if you have an anxious pup or a cat who thrives on theatrics, treat it like you would a thunderstorm: keep them close, offer gentle reassurance, and let them ride out the moment in comfort. Once the light returns, they’ll be back to their usual antics in no time."
So, while you're busy watching the skies on 12 August, don't be surprised if your pet decides the whole thing is either deeply suspicious or completely beneath them...
What happens if you look directly at a solar eclipse
As millions around the world catch a glimpse of the partial solar eclipse, it's certainly worth noting down how dangerous is can be to look directly at it.
Experts over at NASA have broken down exactly why you shouldn't look directly at one without specialised eye protection, and what exactly happens if you do.
Viewing any part of the Sun directly, or through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.
Seema Eye Care Center explains how directly making contact with the Sun during an eclipse can damage the retina - the part of the eye that senses light and helps us see.
The damage, called 'solar retinopathy', can happen very quickly and is often painless, so a person might not even realise it’s happening.
Symptoms of solar retinopathy include:
- Blurry vision
- Blind spots
- Permanent vision loss
How to watch a solar eclipse safely
When watching a partial or annular solar eclipse directly with your eyes, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses, which are known as 'eclipse glasses', or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times.
Eclipse glasses are not regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun.
Always make sure to inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device.
Never look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer - the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.
Of course, if you do not have eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, you can use an indirect viewing method, which usually consists of a pinhole projector. This has a small opening and projects an image of the Sun onto a nearby surface.
With the Sun behind you, you can then safely view the projected image.
Rhiannon Ingle