Sarah-Jane White Full moons have a long history of being associated with strange behaviour. This is hardly surprising, since lunar activity has been found to impact our sleep schedule, mental health, and even our blood pressure (Healthline). But humans aren’t the only ones who experience the effect of the full moon.
If you’ve noticed that your furry friend seems to act in a peculiar manner under this moon phase, you’re not alone. Many pet owners report odd behaviour from their animal companions when the moon is at it’s fullest, ranging from nervous to completely reckless.
During the full moon period, vets see a 23% increase in cat visits and a whopping 28% increase in dogs! But why is that?
If you’re wondering why and how this happens, you’re in luck! I’ve been investigating why we think our pets are affected by full moons, and how we can help them relax during these difficult periods.
What the full moon does to our pets
“A lot of pet owners report their furry friends acting out of sorts during the full moon period. Dogs tend to act erratic during this time, and howl just like their wolf ancestors. Cats on the other hand, often hide during this phase, although they may also become erratic.” Chris Socratous, from Bob Martin says.
Many people believe that their pets behave differently when there is an upcoming full moon. Some people say that their pet barks more, howls more, and seems restless and agitated. Others report that their pets seem to be acting in ways that are contrary to their normal personality.
For example, if your dog is usually calm and relaxed, then they might seem to be more hyper and anxious during a full lunar cycle. However, if your dog tends to be more energetic, they could suddenly get less active and be more sleepy as a full lunar cycle approaches.
Your dog may also appear to be much more alert than usual, they may bark and growl a whole lot more and start chewing on items they normally wouldn’t! You might see them pacing a whole bunch if they’re feeling restless and anxious.
However, none of these signs has been scientifically proven. Much is just conjecture and observation from owners who have recorded their own canine companions’ behaviours during the lunar cycle. They noticed behavioural changes during the week leading up to a full moon. There is little to nothing known about how the full phase affects the behaviours of canines and what signs may be presented when there is a full phase.
Signs your dog senses a full moon is coming
Dogs are amazing creatures, capable of so much more than we give them credit for. So what are the signs that we think we see when a full moon is coming? There’s no scientific evidence, but there are some theories. One possibility is that dogs are sensitive to changes in barometric pressure. Another is that they pick up on electromagnetic waves given off by the moon. Whatever the reason, there are some definite signs that your dog may be sensing a full moon: increased restlessness, howling, panting, and pacing. So if your dog suddenly seems a little on edge, there’s a good chance a full moon is on the way!
- Increased alertness
- Barking
- Howling
- Growling
- Chewing
- Acting out of character
- Pacing and restlessness
- Calm and sleepy when usually energetic
Why do dogs howl at the moon?
The answer is simple: they don’t. We just think they do, and that’s why we love them so much.
Dogs are not only our best friends but also our most loyal companions. They have been with us throughout history, from ancient times to modern days. Dogs have always been a part of our lives.
For centuries, people have used lunar phases to explain away a wide range of strange occurrences that seem to occur when we’re under the influence of full or new moons.
Historically, the fullness of the lunar cycle was thought to influence our own human behaviour. People were afraid to go out at night due to their belief that there would be more aggression among wild beasts and they might get attacked. So we stayed at home. This fear meant that we attributed dog attacks and bites during a lunar phase, to the moon being the cause of the behaviour.
In fact, there is no scientific evidence to support the belief that there is a significant relationship between the full moon and dog attacks. Dog attacks happen at random times throughout the year and a full moon has no more effect on them than any other time during any other month.
However, just because some dogs don’t attack people more often when there’s a full moon doesn’t mean that other aspects of their behaviour might actually change.
What to do if your dog barks or howls at the moon
There could be a few reasons behind why your dog is barking or howling at the moon. It could simply be that they are trying to communicate with other dogs in the area, or it could be that they are reacting to the bright light or strange shadows that the moon creates. If your dog typically isn’t vocal and suddenly starts barking or howling at the moon, it could also be a sign of anxiety or distress. In any case, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian to rule out any health concerns.
The science behind pet behaviour during a full moon
While there’s no scientific evidence behind the effect that the full moon has on domesticated animals, the statistics show that there is a potential correlation. For example, a study that looked at over 10 years of veterinary records found that vets see an increase of visits over the full moon period, 23% in cats and 28% in dogs (Veterinary Practice News).
They found that dogs visiting the emergency room visits during a full moon had a variety of ailments from bites, seizures, and cardiac arrest. So, even though there appears to be a correlation, there could be other factors affecting this increase that are nothing to do with a full moon.
Although nothing has been confirmed, one potential reason behind our pet’s odd behaviour during this phase could be the extra light given off by the moon. Both pets and their owners are likely to spend more time outside when the nights are lighter, which gives your furry friend more time to get into fights, misbehave, or just generally get riled up and hyper.
How we can help pets during this period
While it is tough and confusing for our furry friends to experience these strange behaviours during this period, we can be there to support them through it. Here are just a few of the ways you can help your pet relax under a full moon.
Keep it dark
As one of the reasons behind our pet’s odd behaviour during this time could be the bright moonlight, so make sure to keep this light away from them. Avoid walking dogs after dark, and try to keep cats in overnight if possible. You should also keep the inside of your home free from moonlight by investing in blackout curtains or blinds.
Give them a massage
Give your animal companions a spa experience by gently massaging them when the full moon is out. Not only will this calm them down, but it’s also a great distraction from their erratic behaviour.
For cats, lightly stroke them from their head to their tail, then rotate your fingertips to create a circle movement behind their ears and across their shoulder blades.
For dogs, start again by gently stroking their body, then firmly rub their neck, shoulders, buttocks, and thighs using the upper half of your palm.
Keep them healthy
If your furry friend is in poor health when the full moon is out, they’ll become even more distressed, so make sure to keep them healthy and happy. Give your pet a healthy diet, full of the nutrients that they need to thrive.
You should also keep them active in this period, not only for their health, but to tire them out and prevent them from becoming erratic in the evening.
And remember to protect their mental health too. To keep them calm during this period, consider giving them a stress relieving supplement to promote relaxation.
Wrapping up
So many people report strange behaviour from their pets during a full moon, so it’s hardly surprising that there’s such an increase in vet visits during this time of the month. While there’s no definitive reason behind why our animal companions act out so much during this time, it’s likely that the extra light from the moon is at least partly responsible.
The most important thing you can do as a pet owner when there’s a full moon is to try to keep your furry friend safe and as relaxed as possible. Massaging them is a great way to help them chill out, and it can send them to sleep too. To minimise the effect of the full moon, keep your pet healthy by providing them with a nutrient-rich diet, and supplements to help both their mental and physical health.
Recommended Gear to Help Pets at Full Moon
