Seeing wolves howl to the moon makes you wonder if a full moon has any effect on your pets. After all, when humans seem to be acting awkwardly we often question ourselves: "Is this a " full moon night"?
The moon has had for centuries big influences on earth bound elements such as lunar tides and gravitational pulls but there are also other influences which are still unclear and hard to distinguish from century old myths.

There have been many studies on the effects of full moons on human behaviors but the results have been pretty inconclusive. Regardless, many beliefs have remained and some people are ready to swear on the "full moon crisis".
It is believed for instance, that more children are born on full moon nights, more people commit suicides, there are more shootings, more kidnappings, more hospital admissions, more traffic accidents and generally more violence.
However, on the pet side of the story studies have shown that on full moon days more pets are seen at emergency clinics. It was reported for instance, in the July 15 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, that the risk of emergency room visits was 23 percent higher for cats and 28 percent higher for dogs on days surrounding full moons.
If we look at the numbers these studies have shown we will think that this must be more than a coincidence. Pets admitted in animal hospitals on full moon nights or the days close to full moon ranged from different medical conditions, from bite wound incidents, to cardiac arrest to seizures.
Animal hospital staff also tend to keep an eye on the calendar for full moon nights as they also feel the "full moon effects" since the hospitals and emergency hospitals get much busier and crowded on those particular nights.
So you want to keep a watchful eye on your canine and feline friends on these special nights and be cautious for any "lunatic" behaviors of your four legged friends.

Reference
Full moon not a howling good time for pets
Robert Roy Britt
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19 793179/

Learn more about this author, Janet Farricelli.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The effect of the full moon on pets?
We want to hear your view. Write now!