Warning to anyone with a pet ahead of solar eclipse later this month
If you have a pet at home, you might not have considered how they could be impacted by April's upcoming solar eclipse.
After all, a total solar eclipse is such a rare event, so it's not something we have to think about all too regularly.
But experts are now warning pet owners to take note of some important precautions.
Although there aren't loads of studies on pet behaviour during an eclipse, Erica Cartmill, professor of anthropology, animal behaviour and cognitive science at Indiana University, says there are some points to look out for.
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"There are not that many reports and not that many scientific studies of animal behaviour during eclipses," she told People.
Cartmill explains there are two types of behaviours to keep an eye out for.
She said: "The most likely response is animals starting their evening routines and showing evening behaviors.
"If you have a dog or a cat, they might go to bed, get quieter, or start yawning and stretching."
She added that a total eclipse is 'sort of like dropping a little slice of night into the middle of the day, so they might just act as if it is nighttime'.
Cartmill also revealed that some dogs may start howling at the time of the eclipse.
While the above behaviour isn't too concerning, pets could begin to show some signs of anxiety - just like when there's a thunderstorm, or during fireworks.
Pet parents should look out for increased panting and scratching, hiding, and pacing.
And, for anyone worried if our furry friends could damage their eyes staring into the sun during the eclipse, Cartmill says they're unlikely to be that interested.
She said: "I think our companion animals are more interested in us, especially dogs, than anything else."
How to watch the total solar eclipse in the US
The total eclipse is taking place in the US on 8 April, and is expected to be visible from Mexico through to Canada.
Depending on the weather, the first location that will experience totality is Mexico’s Pacific coast - which will happen at around 11.07am (PDT).
The eclipse will then be visible through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
It will then be visible from Canada in Southern Ontario, moving through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton.
How to watch the partial solar eclipse in the UK
If you live in the west of the UK or Ireland, the best viewing time will be from 7.52pm to 8.51pm, but we'll be seeing a partial eclipse instead, which is when the sun is only partially covered.
It will be visible in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.
The last total solar eclipse in Britain was way back in 1999.
In case you were wondering, the next total solar eclipse in the UK won't be until 23 September 2090.
There is a partial eclipse on 29 March next year, however.
Lucy Devine