Does the time change affect your dog?

Topic: Dog care

TIME CHANGE IN DOGS

Reading time about 8 minutes

The regulation in some European countries to set the clock back one hour in autumn and set it forward by the same amount of time in spring affects our routines and habits. If you are an organized person with a fixed schedule, you will certainly notice that, especially on the first day, your feelings of hunger, tiredness and perception of time are altered. Just as some humans are affected by the time change, some dogs are also affected by it. Sometimes, our furry friends are even more affected than we are by the time change, as dogs love routines. Schedules and organization help them to know what to expect at all times and to feel secure. But when the clock is set forward or back an hour, this stability can be shaken. In addition to less or more light, which could affect their internal biorhythms, there is no doubt that their routines will be altered as long as their owners change theirs. So how does jet lag really affect dogs?

1- Which dogs suffer most from the time change?

2- How can my dog notice the time change?

Walking time
Sleep
Hunger
Medication

3- How can I help my dog adapt to the time change?

Which dogs suffer most from the time change?

Dogs have an internal clock that is governed by the amount of sunlight and also by all the routines they observe and learn on a daily basis. In general, healthy adult dogs adapt quite well to the time change in autumn and spring. However, you may notice that your dog isn’t hungry at mealtimes or that the animal is waiting by the door for a walk when, according to your already modified human clock, there is still an hour to go. Even if your pet doesn’t have a wristwatch and can't know what time it is, the dog knows exactly what time of day it is and what habits correspond to each moment (food, walk, nap...). However, it is normal for them to get used to the new time in a few hours without any major setbacks. On the other hand, the dogs that may have more problems with the time change are puppies, as they are in the middle of a learning phase and this disruption in their routines can greatly interfere with their internal clock. Elderly dogs or those suffering from any pathology are also more vulnerable to this advance or delay of the clock, as it is usually more difficult for them to manage changes.

How can my dog notice the time change?

If your dog is under a year old, very old, has an illness or is particularly sensitive, it may suffer more from the changes in routine brought about by the advance or delay of the clock. For a couple of days you may notice that your pet is a little upset, anxious, irritated and disoriented. Your dog may cry or bark more than usual and you may notice that the animal wakes you up earlier in the morning or that its appetite is altered. These are the changes that most affect your dog with the time change.

1. Walking time

Your dog's internal clock is responsible for ensuring that every day, exactly at the time you usually go for a walk, it waits for you punctually at the door of the house ready to go out. Dogs use their circadian rhythms and observation of their environment to orient themselves through time, so they know perfectly well when it is time to eat or go for a walk. When the time goes earlier or later, you will probably take your dog outside earlier or later, and the animal may become a little disoriented. If your puppy is learning to wee in outside, the animal may not be able to hold it in and may do it at home. If this happens, don't scold or punish your dog. Simply take the animal to its soaker (it is advisable not to remove it while the pet is learning) so that your dog understands that if it can’t hold back the urge to urinate at home, that is where your pet should go.

Another aspect to bear in mind when it comes to the change in walking time with the clock change is the temperature. In summer, an extra hour may mean that it is already too hot outside for your pet, while in winter, the time change will mean colder temperatures outside. Keep this in mind!

2. Sleep

If you are under the illusion that you will be able to sleep an extra hour later in autumn, it is possible that your dog will lick you awake according to the normal schedule. For your furry friend, nothing will have changed in its internal clock. It is also normal for your dog to fall asleep earlier or later than the animal used to, or simply to take more naps due to discomfort and stress. Allow your dog to sleep as much as the animal needs and don’t disturb it, as this is all part of its process of adapting to the new schedule.

Dog waking up his owners before the hour

3. Hunger

In the hours following the time change it is normal to notice changes in your dog's appetite. The animal may ask for food early or not be hungry at the usual time. If this happens to your furry friend, you don't need to do anything. If your dog refuses the food, take it out again a little later and, if you see that your pet is very hungry and nervous, bring it forward a few minutes. In 1-2 days, its whole organism will regulate itself and adapt to the new feeding routines.

4. Medication

If your dog is taking any medication, be aware of the time change so that the animal doesn’t go too long without taking it or take it too early. To do this, during the week before the time change, move the time of administration forward or backward by 15 minutes.

How can I help my dog adapt to the time change?

If, for whatever reason, your dog feels confused and stressed every time it is time to change the time, you can help it by gradually adapting to the new schedule a few days beforehand. Dogs are animals of routines, so any change of habits in their lives (arrival of a new pet, moving house, etc.) must be done gradually, giving them time to get used to it to avoid generating anxiety or behavioural alterations. The same applies to bringing forward or delaying the timetable. During the previous week, try changing the timetable by 10 minutes or so to get your dog used to it. Put this into practice when you go for a walk, when you feed the animal, when you go to sleep or when you wake up (if possible, of course). By the way, you too will adapt much better to the time change. You can also apply this trick with the typical travel jet lag, since in these cases we are usually talking about longer time changes, so the effects on your pet could be more intense.