SOLAR ECLIPSE PET PROTECTION

By Wednesday, August 16, 2017 34 No tags Permalink

Inquiries  and concerns about Solar Eclipse pet protection is gaining momentum around my town lately. Pawbably because Charleston happens to be in the direct path of its totality…

SOLAR ECLIPSE PET PROTECTION

On Monday, August 21st the moon will completely block out the sun over a 70 mile wide path that will cross the United States from Oregon to South Carolina. My “happy place” Charleston, SC is located in the direct path which will allow us to see a total eclipse at approx. 2:45 that afternoon.

This will be the first total solar eclipse to stretch coast to coast in the continental United States in 99 years.

PET PROTECTION –

At 2:45pm I will be at work. What should I do about the Boys? Do they need their eyes protected also?…

SOLAR ECLIPSE PET PROTECTION

Significant data simply isn’t available. The more I searched the more I found conflicting information.

Believe it or not some articles I read said –

Pet’s don’t necessarily need glasses, but it wouldn’t hurt. Source: AJC.com

While another expert felt pets weren’t in any danger because –

On a normal day, your pets don’t try to look at the sun, and therefore don’t damage their eyes…

SOLAR ECLIPSE PET PROTECTION

MY PLANS? –

Mondays are always “chill days” in Doodleville. Normally they lounge around recuperating from the weekend.

Before leaving for work, I will pawbably turn on a few lights and alter the blinds a bit. #mypeaceofmind

With the exception of Harley & Jaxson becoming slightly confused due to sudden darkness during the middle of the day, I doubt anything significant with them will occur. #pawscrossed

I’ll borrow Jaxson’s solar eyewear and peak just a little out of my office window, so I can grow old and say “I saw it!”

Will you be watching?

Welcome to another wonderful Wednesday ❤️

This is our contribution in the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop…


34 Comments
  • Greg Rumble
    August 16, 2017

    Great advice! I didn’t even think how the eclipse could impact my pooch. Thank you for the informative reminder,

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 16, 2017

      You’re welcome Greg. Thanks so much for reading!

  • Shadow and Ducky's Mom
    August 16, 2017

    I saw somewhere that some of the glasses being sold to protect our eyes during the eclipse are no more protective than a pair of dime-store sun shades. I think I’ll just stay inside the house with the blinds closed for the few moments of the eclipse. Protecting my eyes is more important to me than being able to say I saw the eclipse.

    • Shadow and Ducky's Mom
      August 16, 2017

      PS. The girls won’t mind spending a few minutes inside the house, especially if I’m in here with them.

      • Cathy Bennett
        August 16, 2017

        Let me know how they react when it gets dark in the middle of the afternoon. I think Harley and Jaxson will just take a nap!

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 16, 2017

      There were some glasses made that turned up defective. It does now give one a false sense of security. I will be indoors so I will only see it get dark in the middle of the afternoon from my lil slit of a window view.

  • Rachele Baker, DVM
    August 16, 2017

    Thanks for reminding me to mark my calendar to see the eclipse on Monday, Cathy. I will be at work, too, but hopefully I can go outside for a couple of minutes to see the eclipse. I live in the San Francisco bay area which is hundreds of miles south of the path of totality, so I will only be able to see about 75 percent of the sun covered.

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 16, 2017

      The hospital where I’m working is having the coolest Eclipse event! Food vendors, glasses, the whole works. I will enjoy it there and then rush home at 4pm to check on the Boys.

  • Debi @ RescueDogs101
    August 16, 2017

    Beautiful pictures. I never thought about protecting my dogs eyes.. I’m going with that they are smarter than humans and won’t look directly into the sun 🙂 Here in WI, we are only going to see a 85% coverage.

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 16, 2017

      Debi – you are so right! The chances of our pets staring for any length of time at the eclipse is super slim, but I wanted to know how (if any) they would react to sudden darkness in the middle of the afternoon. I’m betting mine will sleep the event away!

  • Mia the Pibble
    August 16, 2017

    Ohhh…I didn’t know! Thanks for sharing! My humom will be at work. I’ll remind her to close the blinds and the patio door. My furbrother Keiko likes to go out there during the day and look outside. I wouldn’t want him to damage his eyes in case he looks up!

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 16, 2017

      Most wild animals that look up have the exact same reaction as us humans – they tend to turn away. I’m sure you all will be just fine!

  • All Things Collie
    August 16, 2017

    Maybe, but up here in New England we won’t see as much as you guys.

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 16, 2017

      I’m more concerned about the traffic and one million people lil’ ole Charleston is expecting – #yikes Traffic will be a nightmare.

  • Emma
    August 16, 2017

    That is right in the middle of our afternoon nap time, so we won’t be bothered by it at all. Mom isn’t into that kind of stuff. It may get a bit darker out, but we are not in the path. You boys stay safe and protect your eyes by covering them with your paws.

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 16, 2017

      HA! We will Emma….

  • Monika & Sam
    August 16, 2017

    With non-stop news coverage, I’ll be able to see this remarkable event through the modern lens of DVR. Thanks for sharing info-hadn’t thought about how it may affect pets. Good to know. We’ll stay indoors and play during the few minutes it last.

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 16, 2017

      I’m sure as the daylight vanishes, both my boys will start to yawn and take a nap!

  • Melissa & Mudpie
    August 16, 2017

    Very important information! I’m not sure how much of it we’re going to be exposed to here in Vermont. I probably should find out…I’ve actually been tuning it out because it’s been talked about on the news so much lately!

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 16, 2017

      Melissa – I can’t wait for it to be over! Everyday the news, people on the shuttle bus, stores, everyone is talking about it. Stores are starting to announce that they will be closed that day. Schools are closed that day. Not because of the Eclipse – but because of the traffic. We’re expecting over 1 million people here in Charleston. I can’t wait till Tuesday LOL

  • Dolly the Doxie
    August 16, 2017

    So funny! Mom isn’t near is clever with the post she’s planning. Stay safe guys! Love Dolly

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 16, 2017

      We will – you do the same Dolly!

  • M. K. Clinton
    August 16, 2017

    We will try to find some glasses this weekend. I’m sure the boys won’t care at all.

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 17, 2017

      They’ll be just like Harley & Jax – thing a mid day nap! LOL

  • Melody & Misha
    August 16, 2017

    This is something I’ve been wondering about for little midget dog. I have a feeling Misha has more sense than we humans do and won’t be trying to stare at the sun. I will be looking at the eclipse with my special glasses. As a precaution, I’ll leave Misha indoors and we’ll take our walk before or after the event.

    I can’t wait. We won’t have totality but it will be awesome anyway!

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 18, 2017

      I can’t imagine ANY animal trying to look directly at the sun for any period of time either. I think most of them will get sleepy as the darkness comes. I too will peak with my special glasses to see a little of it.

  • Jackie Bouchard
    August 16, 2017

    Okay, I didn’t even think about the fact that Rita might look up at the sun (#baddogmom) but I’ve never noticed her looking at it on any other day, so hopefully all will be well. We’ll be here at home but we’re only getting a partial eclipse in San Diego. I haven’t even gotten any glasses for myself yet… suppose I should get on that. Jealous that you’ll get to see the full eclipse!

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 18, 2017

      Because the Boys will be home alone and I live in the path of the total Eclipse – I started to think about what I should do for their protection – hence the blog post. But I don’t think there’s anything I should do, more than likely they will nap through it all.

      Even if you’re only going to get a partial view I would still try and get the glasses if I were you. Be on the safe side my friend!

  • Robin
    August 17, 2017

    I think that the glasses are a great fashion statement for Harley and Jaxson. 🙂 Pets probably don’t need as much eye protection because they don’t have the urge to stare at the sun like humans do. LOL I intend to take a look at the eclipse, but it won’t be a full eclipse here in Michigan.

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 18, 2017

      I concur. Can’t imagine a dog running up to a window and staring out of it while the Eclipse goes on. I’ve got my glasses, now whether or not I go outside is another thing, Have a great weekend 🙂

  • Jackie Anderson
    August 20, 2017

    Thanks for the info Cathy, I didn’t think about our “paw baby” Love you VUUFRIEND4LIFE.

    • Cathy Bennett
      August 20, 2017

      Hey Jackie! You are certainly welcome! Enjoy the Eclipse and be careful!

  • Cathy Armato
    August 21, 2017

    Oh wow, Cathy, you’re right in the thick of it all! I be tourists are all over the place. I have to say, I think I might take the day off work if it were in our town, I’m a bit of a worrywart and I worry that no-good-niks will use it an an opportunity to do some bad-ness! I think leaving a couple of lights on and not having the blinds wide open is a smart idea. Stay safe, my friend!
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

  • Jan K
    August 22, 2017

    On very rare occasions I’ve seen one of the dogs look towards the sky at an airplane or something, but I couldn’t imagine them staring at the sun.
    I wish we’d been in line for the total this time – it would have been fun to see if the chickens went to roost or not!