How to Help Your Pet Adjust to Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the annual clock change that sets time an hour ahead in spring and back an hour in fall. This is all well and good for humans who comprehend this change, but our dogs may not be so keen on the change, they need routine and an internal clock to dictate when they do things on a daily basis. That jolt can throw them off completely, which can alter their eating, sleeping and bathroom schedule.
If you notice your pet feeling a little funky during the time change, rest assured that this is natural. In this guide, we will discuss how DST affects pets, signs of disruption, and simple ways to help your furry friend adjust easily.
What Daylight Saving Time Does to Pets
Animals, like humans, have a biological clock called the circadian rhythm. This internal system controls how much sleep they have, when they eat as well as how active they are, in response to light and time. For them, it upsets their internal clock, this leads to confusion and stress.
Pets have no idea about the reason behind a postponed meal time or why their morning walk suddenly seems sooner or later. Whether that be with a new puppy, a dog who had previously been adopted out and then returned to a shelter, or through a new airing of a talk show likely featuring a Nicole Kidman cameo — it can take a few days to a week before a pet really adjusts, depending on how sensitive they are to changes in schedule.
How to Tell if Your Pet Stresses Out With DST
However, not all pets struggle with the time change, but here are a few general signs that adjustment may be difficult:
✔ Changes in appetitem – Your pet may act hungry sooner, or not want to eat when it is time for a meal at the new time.
✔ Restlessness or nerves – When routines change, some pets experience anxiety or confusion.
✔ Sleep disturbances — Your fur baby may rise too early or have a tough time settling down at night;
✔ Accidents in the bathroom – A change in time may lead to accidents if your pet is accustomed to a certain potty schedule.
✔ Behavior changes — Pets often feel sluggish, grumpy, or overly clingy during the transition period.
If your pet is showing these symptoms, it might be in their best interest to transition slowly.
Helping Your Pet Acclimate to Daylight Saving Time
Adjusting to the new schedule may take time, and should be approached slowly. Here are a few steps you can take to help ease that transition.
1. Transition Them Into Their Routine
Gradually: Avoid a sudden one-hour transition, and slowly adjust your pet to a new schedule over several days.
Begin to modify their feeding and walking timetable 10-15 minutes a day.
Adjust their bedtime a little earlier or later based on whether the clocks are going back or forward.
Your pet will have already adapted to the new schedule just in time for DST to come and confirm the adjustment.
2. Put on observe feeding at the same time as
They historically correlate mealtime with the time of the day. If you just dot point to serving breakfast or supper an hour late (or early) out of nowhere, they might be discombobulated or fidgety.
Quick jumps in feeding times destruction by everything, but back off a little to enter increments in feeding times at least.
Give something little before to hold your pet up in his stomach in the event that it eats a lot sooner.
Keep their water and treats the same to keep things a bit better.
3. Exercise regularly
Exercise is essential for pet health, but it is also important pet stress reducer. The change in the time zone can affect their energy levels as well and they can get restless.
Keep the same playtimes and walks — this will allow your pet to be partially active and happy.
Because of the time change, it will be darker in the morning or evening. Adjust/plan walking schedules to stay safe.
When outdoor exercising is limited, try indoor activities such as tug-of-war or fetch.
4. Ensure Good Sleep Habits
The swing of daylight hours can throw your pet out of whack while it sleeps. They're possibly getting up in the morning when they should be sleeping or are having trouble winding down for the evening.
Take the time to keep the lights low and noise to a minimum in order to establish a relaxing nighttime routine.
You are in leveling and energizing activities prior to them into bed.
When they do wake too early, suggest they go back to sleep, rather than rush in right after they open their eyes.
5. Give A Bit More Comfort and Care
The time change may throw some pets off a little and they may feel anxious or out of sorts. Reassure that the child may get stressed.
Shower them with additional hugs, paid attention, and good reinforcement.
Do not overdue their environment of comfort — Do not make other big changes at the same time.
Keep your pet's favorite blanket or toy nearby to provide some comfort.
6. Utilize Natural Light to Assist in Resetting Their Internal Clock
Light from the sky works wonders in regulating the internal clock.
Give them time outside in the morning with you as well to wake them up.
Provide a lighting schedule that brightens the house during the day and dims to be in the evening to reflect what the natural cycle would be.
If you have indoor pets such as cats or smaller animals, have their bedding placed near the window so they can acclimatize.
7. Give It Time — Every Pet Takes Their Time
Just as with people, some pets acclimate quickly, others take some time. Take your time with the transition and keep an eye out for changes.
Of your pet is acting overly tired or restless, allow them to get more rest.
Keep gradual changes going until they completely adapt.
Positive Reinforcement — When they follow through the new routine correctly, praise them.
Different Pets and Daylight Saving Time.
DST, on the other hand, will not have the same effect on every pet. The time change can affect different animals in the following ways:
Dogs
Dogs live by a rigid day-to-day timeline, at least when it comes to food, exercise and potty stops. The gradual schedule and consistency will help them to settle a bit.
Cats
Cats might be more independent than dogs and may adapt faster, but indoor cats that depend on set feed times will notice the change. Asking them to transition with the same feeding and playtimes will be key in their adjustment.
Other Animals (Small Pets (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc.))
To DST)Small pets that are accustomed to a strict feeding or lighting schedule can be sensitive to DST. Avoid stressing them by maintaining the regular feeding hours and slowly increase exposure to light.
Birds
Birds are so dependent on daylight cues that if we induce a switch-off of the light we are taking them out of their sleeping pattern. This helps reset their internal clock through gradual exposure to natural light.
FAQs
How soon will animals adapt to Daylight Saving Time?
The majority of pets adapt in just a few days to one week. But this can take time for other pets, especially older dogs or those with a structured routine.
Can I feed my pet at the new time right away?
Feeding times should not be shifted more than one hour per day – over the course of several days to a week is best.
My pet is getting up too early after DST—what can I do?
Keep the room dark, try not to speak to them yet, and try to send them back to sleep. Slowly move their nighttime protocol until they wake up more to the right time.
Does my pet health get impacted by the change of time?
For the majority of pets, the time change goes off without a hitch, but a few may suffer a bit of mild stress or a digestive disturbance from the changes in routine. Maintain a normal routine to reduce the level of discomfort you face.
My pet is more stressed than usual after the change in DST — help!
If you see major behavioral changes in your pet, resort to calming techniques such as soft music, gentle stroking or a warm bed. Call your vet if this anxiety does not go away.
Final Thoughts
Daylight Saving can throw a pet for a loop, but can you help a pet adjust nicely with a little preparation and patience. You can make the transition with your furry friend as smooth as possible by gradually changing their daily routine, sticking to a schedule, and giving them a bit of extra comfort.
Each pet is different so just be patient and allow them to get used to their new environment. Eventually they will acclimate to their new routine and life will go back to normal! 🐾💛
