We have already talked about lunar eclipses and how they turn up the volume on a full moon. A solar eclipse does the same for a new moon. It is a new beginning with the shadows of uncertainty dialed up, a fresh start that arrives with a jolt of the jitters. The Sun, the Moon, and the Earth line up just so, and for a few moments the world is transformed. Daylight dims, shadows sharpen, and the sky takes on an otherworldly mood.
Astrologically, eclipses mark turning points. Lunar eclipses bring release and closure, while solar eclipses open doors to bold beginnings, sometimes before we even know what is starting. Dogs, ever sensitive to their environment and to us, can feel these shifts too.
How Dogs Might Experience a Solar Eclipse
Eclipses can be disorienting for animals. Light and temperature change suddenly. Familiar surroundings feel different. Just as wild creatures may grow still during an eclipse, our dogs may act a little off. Some may grow clingy, restless, or unusually alert. Others may retreat to a safe spot. And because dogs read our moods with uncanny accuracy, they may mirror any nervousness we carry into the day.
Supporting Your Dog During Eclipse Energy
The best gift you can offer is steadiness. Keep routines intact where possible. Give them a calm space to rest if they seem uneasy. If they are extra energized, try a sniffy walk or puzzle toy to channel that alertness. Your calm presence, gentle tone, and a little extra affection go a long way.
Here are some simple ways to support your dog this eclipse season:
Keep mealtimes and walks on schedule, as much as they ever are
Offer a quiet space with a favorite blanket or toy
Use a soothing voice and extra petting if they seem unsettled
Try a food puzzle or sniffy game to redirect restlessness
Go outside for fresh air together once the eclipse passes, to help reset
What Our Dogs Can Teach Us About Change
Eclipses remind us how quickly life can shift. Light becomes dark, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and then everything returns, but somehow not quite the same. Dogs do not worry about the meaning of these changes. They respond to what is here, now. By noticing how your pup reacts — curling close, standing guard, tilting their head at the sky — you are invited to approach transitions with the same mix of presence and curiosity.
A Shared Reflection
Solar eclipses invite new beginnings, but they may arrive in shadow. Your dog may not know the astrology, but they know the energy. Stay grounded together. Notice the strangeness, and then notice the return of the light. There is comfort in knowing that you do not move through change alone. Your dog is beside you, every step of the way.