Daylight saving time ends this Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 a.m. For us, that means an extra hour of sleep. For your dog, it means breakfast is suddenly an hour late, and nobody explained why.
Dogs don’t read clocks. They run on habit, daylight and the little cues we give them, like the alarm going off or the leash coming off the hook. The American Kennel Club notes that a sudden schedule change can unsettle some dogs, and a few may get anxious, have a nervous stomach or even have a potty accident. The good news is that a little planning makes the switch easy.
Start shifting now, a little at a time
Instead of moving everything by a full hour overnight, nudge your dog’s day later by 10 to 15 minutes at a time. That’s the approach both the AKC and Zoetis Petcare suggest. Start with breakfast, the morning walk, dinner and bedtime. If you start today, you’ll be most of the way there by Sunday.
Puppies, senior dogs and dogs with health issues may need longer. Zoetis suggests going as slow as five minutes a day for pets who struggle with change.
Missed the head start? That’s fine
You can still shift in small steps after Sunday. Another option from AKC Reunite is to move the schedule by 30 minutes the first week and the last 30 minutes the next. Most dogs settle in within a week or so.
Expect an early alarm clock (with fur)
Your dog’s body clock didn’t change, so your pup may be ready to go at the “old” time. If your dog nudges you an hour early, try not to jump up and feed them right away, or that early wake-up becomes the new normal. Keep mornings calm, and give it a few days.
Give a little extra potty time
For apartment dogs who rely on walks to go, a delayed walk can mean a delayed bathroom break. Give your dog a bit more time outside in the mornings, and plan a quick extra trip if you notice them waiting at the door.
Use the extra hour for something fun
AKC Reunite suggests putting that “extra” hour toward another evening walk. If it’s dark or rainy, a short training session or a puzzle toy works too. Mental exercise helps dogs handle changes in routine. Our puzzle toys for apartment dogs guide has some easy options.
Plan for darker evening walks
After Sunday, the sun sets an hour earlier on the clock, so that after-work walk may suddenly be in the dark. Wear something reflective, carry a small light and make sure your dog’s harness fits snugly. Our city harness guide covers secure fits for busy sidewalks.
A note on medications
If your dog takes medicine on a strict schedule, such as insulin, ask your vet how to shift those doses for the time change rather than guessing.
Bonus tip for automatic feeders
If you use a timed feeder, check that its clock matches the new time after Sunday. You can also use its schedule to shift mealtimes later by a few minutes each day. Our quiet automatic feeders guide has a few apartment-friendly picks.
A little patience this week goes a long way. By next weekend, your pup should be back on track and maybe even happy about that extra evening stroll.
Sources: American Kennel Club, “How Daylight Saving Time Affects Your Dog’s Routine” and “How to Change Your Dog’s Routine” (akc.org); AKC Reunite, “Daylight Savings & Helping Your Dog Deal with Routine Changes” (akcreunite.org); Zoetis Petcare, “How Does Daylight Saving Affect Your Pet?” (zoetispetcare.com).
This post is general information, not a substitute for advice from your own veterinarian.