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As autumn is in full flow and winter slowly creeps in, in the UK, we're almost at the time of year when we move our clocks back one hour.
Although the clock change means an extra hour in bed for us, darker evenings, and a few days spent adjusting to a new routine, this can greatly impact our dog's body clocks.
When it comes to pets and clocks changing, there are some things that we can do to help our four-legged friends adjust more quickly and easily to this sudden change. In this guide, we've pulled together our top tips to help your dog adapt easily to this new routine.
From managing their sleep, walking and feeding routines to helping them stay mentally stimulated during the darker months, we're here to help make the stress of the clock change a thing of the past.
Table of contents:
When do the clocks change in the UK?
How are dogs affected by the clocks changing?
5 ways to help your dog cope with the clock change
1 - Gradually adjust their walk time
2 - Be sensitive around feeding schedules
3 - Prevent separation anxiety
When do the clocks change in the UK?
In the UK, the clocks change twice a year. Typically, on the Sunday of the last weekend in March, the clocks are moved forward by one hour, known as British Summer Time, or Daylight Savings. Then, on the Sunday of the last weekend in October, the clocks are moved back an hour, also known as Greenwich Mean Time.
Daylight saving dates back to 1908. It was first introduced in Canada, with Germany following suit in 1915 and the UK in 1916. In the UK, it was argued that daylight savings should be maintained as moving the clocks forward in the summer would help save on energy costs and would allow people to spend more time outdoors.
When do the clocks change in 2024?
In autumn 2024, the clocks will go back one hour at 2 am on Sunday 27th October.
How are dogs affected by the clocks changing?
Although dogs don't grasp the concept of time, they perceive its passage, judging it from natural signals such as hunger, the sun's rising and setting, and cues in their owner's daily routine.
Dogs and circadian rhythm
Circadian rhythm governs dogs and all living things, including humans. A circadian rhythm acts as a natural internal clock and can impact physical, mental and behavioural changes.
Circadian rhythm is controlled by daylight, and for dogs, this internal clock overrides time constructs; they wake up when the sun rises, are ready to sleep when it's dark and any physical and behavioural processes that they have throughout their day, such as hunger, are triggered by this circadian routine.
When we change our clocks, we abruptly impact our dog's natural rhythm, expecting them to instantly be able to cope with new times for feeding, walking and sleeping.
Dogs are creatures of habit and are happiest in the same repetitive daily routine. This structure helps to give them confidence and stability and helps them understand their role within their family.
Much like humans, dogs need some time to adjust to the clock change and adapt to the subtle changes in routine that come with it. For some dogs, this will be a difficult process, but it’s important to be patient with them and allow them time to adapt.
5 ways to help your dog cope with the clock change
It's important to understand that for some dogs, an hour's change in their routine will shock the system, causing anxiety, an upset stomach and, in some cases, accidents around the home.
Here are our five top tips to help you support your dog during this time to help them adapt more easily;
1 - Gradually adjust their walk time leading up to the change
Dogs naturally align with our daily routines, so if you're someone who walks their dog the second the alarm sounds, this may impact them when the clocks move backwards. Your dog will feel as if they have to wait much longer for their walks, and they may find this unsettling.
The best way to prepare your dog for this is to gradually adjust their walk time in the week leading up to the clock change.
Start by setting your alarm a few minutes earlier each day, then hitting snooze until your normal wake-up time. Over the course of a few days, this will desensitise the sound of the alarm to your dog and teach them that they have to wait a little while before they go out, easing them into their new routine.
The main thing to be mindful of here is bathroom breaks, and if they're usually desperate to go to the toilet by the time of their morning walk, you need to be sensitive to this. Puppies, older dogs and dogs with medical issues may find waiting for their bathroom break difficult and delaying it by five minutes may be too long. In this case, move slowly, delaying walk time by smaller increments so your dog doesn't have to wait more than it is physically able to.
2 - Be sensitive around feeding schedules
You know what it's like when you get to lunchtime and your tummy rumbles. Imagine then if, at your most hungry, someone made you wait an extra hour for your lunch!
Dogs have very sensitive internal clocks, and their hunger cues will still exist, irrespective of the fact that the clocks have gone back an hour; another reason they may find the clock change confusing is when they aren't fed at what they deem their usual time.
Similarly to changing their wakeup routine, you can alter the time you feed your dog by small increments of 5 minutes in the week leading up to the change. By doing this, you'll be meeting them in the middle, so by the time the clocks are altered, they won't feel like they're waiting as long to be fed, and their hunger cravings won't be as strong come their new feeding time.
3 - Prevent separation anxiety
Any change to the clocks doesn't just affect your dog's morning routine, it can also impact the evening. It isn't just us who feel sadness when leaving work to walk into darkness - the early onset of darkness also impacts dogs.
Although your dog isn't aware of the time, it is thought that they understand time phases based on sunlight, and the sun and shadows in your home help them decipher when you should arrive home from work. When your dog's favourite sunbathing spot disappears, the house becomes dark, and you still haven't returned home, your dog may feel anxious and stressed.
If you have a dog walker, ask them to come slightly earlier in the week leading up to the clocks changing and during the first week after the change to help your dog transition. An earlier walk time will help them relax and ease into the change.
If you don't have a dog walker, ask a family member or a trusted neighbour to visit your dog late in the afternoon for a few days after the change to help them acclimate to the earlier arrival of darkness.
Similarly, when daylight saving begins in the spring, most dogs have a renewed sense of vigour, so expect them to want to be outside as soon as you return home! If you're leaving your dog home more when the lighter nights arrive, ensure they are well-exercised and fed before you go out so they can relax until you return.
4 - Stimulate their minds during the winter months
When the winter months arrive and the days become shorter, your dog may not be as excited about leaving the house. If this is the case, you may need to find other ways to keep them mentally stimulated to prevent them from becoming destructive, bored or depressed.
Puzzle toys are a really great way to stimulate your dog's mind and can also be a great tool to occupy them if they suffer from separation anxiety. The challenge of engaging their brains to work out the puzzle and then the reward of a tasty treat can keep your dog occupied for hours and help them relax on the days when they can't come with you.
Schedule some extended playtime with your dog during the months of shorter daylight to keep them stimulated and engaged. They'll also enjoy the extra time they get to spend with you!
5 - Maintain a good routine throughout
Dogs are generally high-schedule-orientated and aren't only guided by their circadian rhythm but by the predictability of their owner's routines. Dogs that respond to human cues such as the alarm clock, their owners getting out of bed, and food being put in their bowls can often adapt to a new routine more quickly, easily and with less stress.
Whether your dog takes a few hours, days or weeks to adapt to a new routine, it's important to be patient and maintain a good routine throughout the change. This will make it easier for your dog to fall in line with any changes, keeping them happy and their tails wagging as a result!
Take care of your dog’s wellbeing at Groomers
Now you know how to best prepare your dog for changes to its routine, why not browse our health and wellbeing collection to prepare for all of its needs? From paw and nail care to stress management, we have everything you need to care for your furry friends in and out of the salon! Shop the range today!
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