by If you leave home, be prepared for a long journey
During the last total solar eclipse in the US in 2017, Carlson, who lives in southern Idaho, says a typical two-hour drive took up to 10 hours because of traffic. Transportation officials this year have warned drivers to expect heavy traffic and plan extra time to get to and from eclipse destinations, and other eclipse watchers in 2017 also reported increased travel times.
The vet warns pet owners, if traveling with their animals, to be prepared for journeys much longer than expected, bring extra food and water, and plan stops to exercise pet.
If you have left a pet at home, “remember that you may not get home as quickly as you thought you would” and “have that contingency plan” that others will attend to your pet’s needs in your absence.
If you are in public, keep your pet on a leash
If you take your pet, such as a dog, out to an event, keep them on a leash, as canines can panic, run away under stress, and get lost in a large crowd, which experts say.
“Changes in the environment can stress, confuse or frighten your dog. Concerned owners should keep an eye on their dogs during the eclipse, checking for signs of anxiety so they can reassure their dog,” says Bill Lambert, dog health expert at The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom, to TIME in an email statement. “Dogs that are stressed or scared can sometimes try to escape, so make sure your property is secure and your dog is collared with an ID tag, and their microchip details are up to date.”
Watch for signs of stress and respond to them
Signs of stress for dogs include panting, pacing, and changes in facial expression, such as bulging eyes to show the whites of the eyes, experts say. They warn pet owners to recognize these signs early, and if you notice them, remove your animal from the stress trigger and soothe them in the best way you know how.
If you’re at a big event, it might be wise to take your dog back to your car or another quieter place to hang out and make sure they don’t get frantic, says Ellis.
“When animals become frantic, that’s when accidents happen and they go into fight or flight mode and end up trying to run away from what they’re afraid of,” continues the vet. “The sooner you notice those more subtle signs and try to get out of it, you’ll have a better outcome and hopefully a better outcome.”
“The best thing to do is to avoid these very stressful situations in general,” she says.
If necessary, provide distractions
If your pet is stressed, the Toronto Humane Society recommends relieving your animal with toys or treats. You could absorb your canine with a training session with their favorite items, suggested the American Kennel Club. If your pet is particularly prone to anxiety, talk to your veterinarian beforehand about management strategies, which may include anti-anxiety medications, recommended by the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Be prepared that your pet may be hungry or tired
Animals are creatures of habit who follow visual cues, so some pets may ask for dinner much earlier than usual because they think it’s night, says Ashley Travis, spokeswoman for the Island Humane Society. Prince Edward. Pets may also become a little more lethargic because they think it’s time to go to sleep.
Minimize the risks associated with outdoor animals
The reactions of larger outdoor creatures, such as horses or farm animals, will depend on the animal’s personality and their circumstances during the eclipse, Isabelle Louge, clinical assistant professor of food animal field services at Texas A&M University, tells TIME. Some animals may be agitated, more on edge, and may group together, while others may not react at all.
The vet’s advice for people with large animals is to avoid working with them during the eclipse for personal safety.
“If you have a 1,000-pound horse and they get upset at the event or spooked, and they move very fast or suddenly, especially if they can’t see you, there’s a chance of injury they see you even if they can’t see you. on his mind,” says Louise.
The vet recommends keeping large animals outside in their most comfortable environment during the event.
“Just keep them in an area that they’re very familiar with that doesn’t have any major hazards, so they’re not going to do things like go into potholes or fall down ravines during that time, because change will daylight blocked. to see their potential,” says Louge.
Avoid traveling during the eclipse with larger animals, but if you have to, you could provide a light source in a trailer, for example, to avoid injuries, said Louge. Inspect animals after the eclipse to make sure they are not injured and if so, seek care.
Stock up on supplies
Some experts recommended making sure you have enough food, water, medication, and any other items you need for your animal before the eclipse, especially if you are traveling, as large crowds are expected could put pressure on supplies i. popular destinations.
While it’s always best to be prepared, however, experts say not to worry about any kind of pandemic-level shortage: “I don’t see this as being that extreme,” says Klein.
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