Full Moon And Dogs Linked To An Increase In Visits To The Emergency Room

Out of the ordinary things were happening yesterday and I have no idea if it was due to the approaching full moon or just coincidence. 

Leroy was weirder than normal. He hasn’t been feeling well but he was just weird.

Panting heavy, refusing treats and water and extremely unsettled. 

This was in the morning and by early afternoon he was perfectly fine. 

Odin wouldn’t go outside in the morning to pee, instead, he decided to pee on the side of the couch. 

Even though he’s new to us, this was unusual behavior for him because he has no problem going outside and peeing on my flower pot. 

By noon, he was over it and back to his regular scheduled pees.

Was it due to the full moon approaching? Was it Friday the 13th lurking? Was it a combination of both or was it just my crazy luck?

I’m sure it was just coincidence but just in case, I’ll be hiding in my closest until Saturday afternoon. 

Full Moon Linked To More Veterinary Visits. 

In a 2007 study done at Colorado State University by veterinarian Dr. Regan Wells, showed a possible link to an increase in emergency room visits for dogs and cats when the moon is full or pretty close to it. 

Her research showed that there was a 23 percent increase in cats and 28 percent increase in the number of dogs seen in the emergency room during a full moon’s three-night peak compared to normal nights in an emergency clinic.

According to Dr. Wells, this is the first study that has been conducted on the moon’s cycle to emergency veterinary medicine. The study includes 11,940 cases between 1992-2002 and is published in the July 15th issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The types of emergencies seen were categorized as animal bites, cardiac arrest, epilepsy, ophthalmic, gastric dilatation-volvulus, trauma, multiple diseases, neoplasia, or toxicosis.

In addition, data did not indicate that there was an increase in aggressive behavior in pets during a full moon. For example, there was not a measurable increase in injuries from dogs acting aggressively.

The study notes the potential explanations for an increased number of visits during a full moon, but the data does not provide conclusive results.

For example, one theory was that full moons provide increased luminosity, which may correlate to an expected increase in nocturnal hunting rates among cats.

If so, felines may be injured more often during these evenings. However, more feline cases related to trauma were not evident in the data.

A full moon equals an increase in activity for many animals

Many people suggest that while humans may not experience any change in activity during full moons, animals will. 

Researchers have been logging the moonlight’s effects on animals for decades and continue to mark new connections.

Several recently discovered examples show how lunar light influences lion prey behavior, dung beetle navigation, fish growth, mass migrations, and even birdsong.

As for pets, there have been no correlations that pets become more aggressive during a full moon. 

An increase in trips to the emergency clinic could very well be due to more humans being outside later viewing the full moon with their pets which could increase the risk for injury or illness. 

Will Your Dog Bark More During A Full Moon?

That will depend on your dog. 

Depending on where you are and the conditions in your area, your dog may be able to see things on a night with a full moon that he wouldn’t see without it. 

Also, if you are out during a different time than your dog is accustomed to at night, they might be more hyped and thus bark more.

They might also hear nocturnal animals out and about especially if they are outside at dark longer than usual. 

Most dogs don’t sit pretty and howl at the moon. They bark at sounds they hear. 

Should You Be More Cautious With Your Pets During a Full Moon?

You should also be cautious when outside at night with your pet all the time and a full moon shouldn’t be any different.

However, tonight’s full moon is on Friday the 13th and you should do with that what you will. 

Personally, I will not be out wandering around after dark when the werewolves and Jason are lurking. 

But Dr. Wells does make mention that, while the percentage of increase in emergencies during fuller moon days may be large, the correlation to an actual number of animals is actually quite low.

How To Keep Your Dog Safe At Night

It should be pretty easy to keep your dog safe at night by keeping them on a leash when not in a fenced area, wearing reflective collars or harnesses, and not leaving them unattended outside for long periods of time. 

Blinking lights that attach to your dog’s collar can also be helpful as well as carrying a flashlight and being aware of your surroundings. 

Fun Facts About Tonight’s Full Moon and Friday the 13th

Tonight’s full moon is called a Harvest Moon. It is one of the smallest full moons since it is at the farthest part in its orbit around Earth.

A full moon on Friday the 13th is a rare occurrence. The last full moon on Friday the 13th was in January 2006 and the last Harvest full moon on Friday the 13th was in October 2000.

The next full moon on Friday the 13th will be in 30 years on August 13. 2049.