How the Total Solar Eclipse Could Affect Your Pet

It can blind you, make your phone a brick, and destroy your fancy camera.

So what'll it do to your pets?

According to Mother Nature Network, your pet may react adversely to August 21st's Total Solar Eclipse. Most predictably, dogs and cats may become disorientated or confused by the sudden darkness. MNN advises we keep our pets on leashes during the eclipse just to err on the side of caution. Also, the sudden darkness may make pets more sensitive to sounds around them, so be aware of that.

We know that us humans need eye protection to view the eclipse, but does Fido? Experts are torn. Angela Speck, director of astronomy at the University of Missouri-Columbia explains:

On a normal day, your pets don't try to look at the sun, and therefore don't damage their eyes. On this day, they're not going to do it either. I'm not going to worry about my cat.

On a lighter note, if your pet attempts to take shelter during the eclipse, it may simply be because they think that means it's going to rain. Good dog.