Your pet could be affected by April's solar eclipse... here are unusual ... trends now

Man's best friend and our feline pets may exhibit strange behaviors during the April 8 solar eclipse, and experts warn there are some signs to watch out for.

The path of totality will extend from Maine through Texas and during the 3.5 to four minutes of darkness, your pets could become confused and think it is time for bed.

Your dog might also respond to the eclipse by showing signs of anxiety like pacing, scratching and howling - similar to how they react to a thunderstorm or firework display.

The full reason why animals exhibit unusual behaviors during solar eclipses still isn't fully understood, but scientists have theorized pets react to the natural light dimming and drop in temperature as the sun is blocked by the moon. 

The solar eclipse could be disrupting animals' circadian rhythm - the 24-hour biological clock telling humans or animals that it's time to wake up or time for bed. 

'Most animals respond to (the light dimming from the eclipse) in a way where it's like, 'OK, it's time to either sit down and rest and go to sleep.'  Dr. Bryan Pijanowski, a professor of forestry and natural resources at Purdue University told CNN.

He continued: '… And then there are the nocturnal animals that suddenly say, 'Oh, it's time for me to wake up and be active.' 

During Monday's eclipse, the moon will be positioned directly in front of the sun, plunging millions of people across the US into darkness.

While people are flocking to the best viewing spots and are expressing excitement over the upcoming phenomenon, your furry friend may be less enthusiastic.

Some dogs could begin howling and exhibiting signs of anxiety like pacing back and forth, panting and scratching.

You can help calm your pooch by remaining calm which could cause your dog to become less anxious because they tend to mimic their human's behavior, according to the Dogster Magazine.