As we prepare to set our clocks back this Sunday, many of us may be bracing for darker evenings—or perhaps looking forward to an extra hour of sleep. However, our pets, particularly dogs, are also affected by the shift in time, albeit in ways we might not immediately recognize.
While most animals are unaffected by human timekeeping, pets heavily rely on human cues to guide their daily routines. “Animals have a biological clock that syncs with the natural light and dark cycles of the day,” explained Jeffrey Kelu, a researcher in circadian rhythms at King’s College London. “This synchronization leads to predictable behaviors, such as sleeping, foraging, and hunting, which are part of their circadian rhythms. However, domesticated animals are significantly influenced by social cues, including human interactions.”
Since pets cannot comprehend the concept of daylight saving time, the abrupt change in their owners’ routines can lead to confusion. Here are three signs that your dog may be struggling to adjust to the new schedule:
- Increased Vocalizations Ahead of Feeding Times
- Signs of Anxiety
- Upset Stomach
Kelu noted, “These symptoms occur because their biological clocks are temporarily out of sync with their humans’ altered schedules due to daylight saving time. As pets thrive on consistency, sudden changes in their walking or feeding routines can trigger anxiety and even lead to digestive issues.”
To help your dog adapt to the upcoming time change, Kelu suggests gradually adjusting their routines about a week before the clocks fall back, shifting their feeding and walking times by 10 to 15 minutes earlier or later, depending on the time change. This gradual adjustment can help prevent digestive problems that may arise from abrupt shifts in feeding schedules.
Pet owners should also remain patient and understanding, as it may take several days for their pets to fully adjust—much like how humans recover from jet lag.
Daylight saving time was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 and officially introduced in 1918 to maximize daylight hours and conserve candle usage. However, the practice may inadvertently increase energy consumption due to heating and air conditioning demands. Moreover, research indicates that changing the clocks, particularly in the spring, could heighten risks of heart disease, strokes, and mental health issues, prompting calls from experts to abolish daylight saving time altogether. Arizona and Hawaii are the only two states that maintain consistent time year-round, avoiding the biannual clock adjustments.
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