Is the Solar Eclipse Dangerous for Your Pets? Some Warn Yes
I was scrolling through my Facebook feed when I saw a post from a Northern Colorado animal shelter warning pet owners to leave dogs inside during the eclipse on Monday. Seems extreme, but we'll be protecting our eyes, so should we be thinking about our dogs', too? Here's what the experts are saying.
This post (via @bigbonescaninerescue on Instagram) was shared by a friend of mine, which then, of course, spurred a series of comments which argued both for and against the validity of an eclipse posing danger to your pets' eyes.
So, here's the deal: According to Angela Speck, who is the co-chair of the National Solar Eclipse Task Force, your dogs will be OK. The Wichita Eagle reported that in a NASA press conference, Speck stated, 'On a normal day your pets don’t try to look at the sun and therefore don’t damage their eyes, so on this day they’re not going to do it either.'
At most, animals will simply think it's dusk, due to the lack of light.
However, some urge it is better to leave animals inside during the solar eclipse, just to err on the side of safety. As humans, we know not to look at the sun during the eclipse -- your pet does not.
So, the only way to assure that your pet is safe is to leave him/her inside on Monday, as the eclipse passes over Northern Colorado.