Getting dog ready for when the clocks change

In the UK, the clocks change twice a year and with those changes comes a disruption to routines and sleeping patterns. For most people, it takes a few days to adjust to living life an hour out of kilter. But what about dogs? Does the move to — or away from — daylight savings time have any bearing on them? In spring we lose an hour, in autumn we gain one – daylight savings and clock changes can be confusing enough for us, but for our pets it can be an even bigger change.  Dogs are creatures of habit. When the clocks change, you might find you need to change their routine which can be unsettling for them. There are a few simple things you can do in the lead up to or once the clocks have altered. According to animal behaviourists, dogs are no different to humans in that they have their own internal clocks. This circadian rhythm, as it’s known, tells them when to eat, sleep and wake up. But it’s pet owners who set their dog’s daily routine.  Some are so in tune with their owners’ schedules that the one-hour change in the time can cause confusion. Here we look at some of the issues around whether the bi-annual jolt in time could be detrimental to your dog.

When the clocks go back

On the last Sunday in October, the clocks go back and we ‘gain’ an hour. The mornings get lighter (and the evenings get darker), 6am becomes 5am and so on. Most pet owners will have a set routine, which is great for our dogs because this is familiar and reduces stress.

So how can you help your pet get used to the changes without having to alter your entire routine?

You’ll need to let them adjust slowly to the new timings. If the first thing you do in the morning is let your dog in or outdoors, you’ll still need to do this at the same time as always (which will be an hour earlier by the clock), to prevent any accidents for the first day the clocks change.  From there, try shifting your pet’s morning routine 10 minutes later every day until you have made up the extra hour – this works for evening routines as well as feeding and playing with your dogs, too. Depending on your routine, it might be easier to start the shift a few days or a week before the clocks change so that you’re not having to get up so much earlier. As an added bonus, shifting your routine slowly can also make you feel less jet-lagged by the sudden change as well! If your pet has an accident in the house while you’re all adjusting to the hour difference, don’t be angry at them. They don’t understand why the clocks have changed. By slowly delaying their routine by an hour, they should adjust to the difference over a few days.

Older dogs with problems like dementia may struggle more than young and healthy dogs to adapt to routine changes, so it can be worth taking changes more slowly to give them a bit longer to get used to things. If they’re struggling, it’s best to talk to your vet who can give you advice on other things that might help them.

Remember that evenings will now be darker, too, so you may need to start walking your dog a bit earlier. If this isn’t possible, read our advice on walking your dog when it’s dark.

Our top tips for walking your dog in the dark

As those long winter nights draw in, are you and your dog staying safe on your walks? We’d recommend walking your dog while it’s light but we know that’s not always possible in winter. If you do need to walk your dog in the dark, it’s really important to make sure you’re safe and can be seen by other road users. Here’s our tips:

• Take a familiar route. That way you’re less likely to come across any unexpected surprises.
• Always walk against the traffic. Walking on the side of the road towards oncoming cars if there is no pavement or footpath is safer. If you’re ever near the road, you need to make sure you keep your dog as close to you as possible on their lead.
• Avoid using headphones. You’ll need to be able to listen out for any dangers and keep alert, so don’t wear headphones.
• Keep your dog on the lead. They could easily find themselves in a lot of trouble off the lead in the dark. Staying on the lead is much safer for both of you.
• Be seen. Both you and your dog should wear something reflective. For your dog, this could be their collar, lead harness or an appropriate reflective coat.
• Take a torch. You may find that in badly lit areas you’ll need the extra light from the torch (and it’ll help when it comes to picking up your dog’s poop!)
• Take a mobile. Always take your fully charged phone out with you in case you or your dog run into any trouble. Make sure you have an emergency vet saved in the contacts, just in case.
• Take a friend. If you’re walking your dog in the dark, you might want to take a friend with you to make you feel safer.
• Watch where you’re walking. Broken glass and other hazards can be difficult to see in the dark. Keep an eye on the ground so your dog doesn’t get hurt.

Five ways the clocks changing might impact on your dog

1. Anxiety and stress

Any change in your own routine is almost certain to disrupt your dog and could be a trigger for anxiety and mild stress. Most dogs have very precise daily routines — eating their meals, going for walks, sleeping at roughly the same time — and they are likely to find significant changes to this a challenge. When the clocks change, try to adjust your own schedule gradually and if your dog is particularly sensitive to changes in your routine, speak to your vet about how to handle it. Many vets report seeing a renewed vigour in dogs when the lighter nights arrive.

2. Rise in road traffic accidents

Several studies have reported significant increases in road traffic accidents in the days immediately following the clocks changing. One analysis discovered a 17% rise in traffic incident-related deaths on the Monday after the spring change while another found an 8% increase. Vets Now, reported in Sept 2018 that they have also seen a rise in pets being hit by cars when the nights get lighter.

3. Increase in heart attacks

Perhaps surprisingly, there is a spike in humans suffering heart attacks when the clocks change. One study, carried out by the University of Alabama in the US, suggested this was largely down to sleep deprivation, a change in circadian rhythm, and even a small shock to the immune system. Thankfully, there’s no evidence to suggest dogs are similarly affected but it’s something for owners to bear in mind.

4. More time outside

Many vets report seeing a renewed vigour in dogs when the lighter nights arrive. This, in turn, results in them wanting to go outside more which, common sense will tell you, leaves them more susceptible to the usual springtime hazards such as adder bites, wasp and bee stings and slug and snail pellets. Vets Now reported that their out-of-hours pet emergency clinics are busier during the lighter nights in spring and summer than they are in autumn and winter.

5. Separation anxiety in dogs

People tend to go out more after the clocks go forward. One study, of 2000 adults, revealed 72% are more sociable when the weather improves. If the lighter nights mean you’ll be out more, perhaps playing sport or socialising, or you’re more likely to stay at work longer, then consider the impact this will have on your dog. Separation anxiety can be hugely stressful for dogs and can lead to changes in behaviour including howling, defecating and repeated escape bids.

History of daylight savings

Daylight savings was first introduced in Canada in 1908, followed by Germany in 1915 and then the UK in 1916. Proponents of the change in the law in the UK argued that putting the clocks forward in the summer would save on energy costs and allow people more time outdoors. Today, around 70 countries around the world implement some form of daylight savings time.

Articles and information sourced from both Vets Now and the PDSA