How does daylight saving time affect pets?

Twice a year, we dutifully change our clocks for daylight saving time. For us, it’s a minor adjustment. But for our pets, that one-hour shift can feel like a sudden case of jet lag. If your dog seems extra pouty about their delayed dinner or your cat starts a 5AM protest for breakfast, you’re not imagining it. Before it’s time to “spring forward” or “fall back” again, learn how daylight saving time affects pets and simple ways to help them adjust.

Why daylight savings time affects pets

While they can’t read a clock, pets absolutely feel the effects of a time change. Pets have a finely tuned internal clock (known as a circadian rhythm) that regulates their daily schedule. This biological clock tells them when to sleep, wake up, eat and go for a walk. It’s synced to environmental cues like the light-dark cycle and, most importantly, the routines you’ve created.

When the clocks suddenly jump forward or back an hour, our schedule changes, but their internal clock doesn’t get the memo. This mismatch is why your pup might start staring at you an hour before their new dinner time — from their perspective, their meal is genuinely late. For pets, predictability equals security, and this abrupt change can be stressful and confusing.

Common signs your pet is struggling with the time change

Both dogs and cats can show their confusion in different ways. The behavioral changes are often their attempt to communicate that something in their world is off schedule. 

“Pets thrive on routine because knowing what to expect helps with training, behavior, and overall confidence.,” says Dr. Aliya McCullough, Fetch’s Chief Veterinary Officer. “When an hour suddenly shifts, their body is still running on the old schedule, which can lead to undesired behaviors like begging for food or waking up early because, to them, their humans are the ones off schedule.”

Dogs and daylight savings time

For dogs, routines are everything. When the schedule shifts, you may notice:

• Early morning wake-up calls: After we “fall back,” your dog’s internal alarm may still be set to the old time, meaning they’re ready to start their day an hour before you are.
• Mealtime anxiety: A dog used to eating at 5PM might start pacing, whining or staring at their food bowl around 4PM after we “spring forward.”
• Potty schedule disruptions: A dog accustomed to a 10PM potty break might have an accident or start pawing at the door if they have to wait until what feels like 11PM to them.

Cats and daylight savings time

Cats are also creatures of habit, and their protests can be just as clear. Common signs include:

• Increased vocalization: That classic, insistent meow for breakfast may start an hour earlier after the fall time change.
• Physical reminders: Some cats will weave between their pet parent’s legs, paw at their face or even start knocking things over to signal that a scheduled event, like feeding, has been missed.
• Changes in affection: A cat might seem extra clingy or, conversely, a bit grumpy as their sleep and social schedules are thrown out of whack.

Adjusting your pet to daylight saving time

The best way to minimize stress is to ease your pet into the new schedule gradually instead of changing it all at once. The key is to start a few days before the clocks officially change.

Begin four to seven days ahead of the time change and shift your pet’s entire schedule in 15-minute increments each day. This includes everything from meals to walks, playtime and bedtime.

• For “Spring Forward” (losing an hour): Move everything 15 minutes earlier each day. If dinner is normally at 6PM, you’ll serve it at 5:45PM on day 1, 5:30PM on day 2 and so on. By the time the clock jumps to 6PM their body will already be adjusted to the new 5PM reality.
• For “Fall Back” (gaining an hour): Move everything 15 minutes later each day. If breakfast is usually at 7AM, serve it at 7:15AM on day 1, 7:30AM on day 2 and so on.

If your pet is begging before the new mealtime, try distracting them with a short play session or a puzzle toy. Patience is key — and if you forget to prepare, you can still use this gradual method in the days after the change to help them catch up.

A special note for pets with medical needs

For most healthy pets, the time change is a temporary inconvenience. But for those with certain medical conditions, schedule consistency is vital. Pets with diabetes, for example, often need insulin shots at specific times relative to their meals to manage their blood sugar. Other conditions like epilepsy or heart disease may require medication to be given on a strict 24-hour cycle.

“For pets with chronic conditions like diabetes or epilepsy, schedule consistency is a medical necessity,” Dr. McCullough explains. “Timed medications, like insulin, create a delicate balance to control symptoms. An abrupt 1-hour shift can disrupt that balance, so it’s crucial for pet parents to consult their veterinarian to create a safe, gradual transition plan.”

Patience makes perfect

While daylight saving can disrupt your pet’s inner rhythm, it’s a temporary issue. Their internal clocks are real, and their confused behaviors are a biological response. By planning ahead with a gradual schedule shift and offering a little extra patience, you can help make the transition smooth and stress-free.