How Daylight Saving Time Affects Your Dog

Daylight Saving Time was on Sunday, March 14th in 2021 at 2:00am. We all had to remember to “spring forward” and set clocks.

For humans, the skipped hour when Daylight Saving Time begins might just mean we miss out on an hour of sleep. But for dogs, the effects can be very different.

Animals don’t set their routines by the clock that we use. They have their own circadian rhythm – a biological clock that helps them know when to eat, sleep, go potty, and do everything else in their day.

Here are a few ways Daylight Saving Time might affect your dog:

Potty Time

Many dogs need to go outside for a potty break first thing in the morning. When you wake up an hour early, your pup might be confused about why you’re dragging them out of bed. They might not even have to go yet, and some dogs might even resist the leash.

If they don’t go potty when you want them to, they might hold it in until their usual potty time. By then you may have already left the house.

Most pooches stick to regular potty times throughout the day. It will take some time before they can adjust to your new schedule.

Feeding Time

If your dog is used to eating at a certain time, they might be a bit upset when you serve breakfast or dinner an hour early. Don’t be surprised if your pup turns up their nose at their bowl because they’re not ready to eat yet.

What You Can Do About It

You can help your dog adjust to Daylight Saving Time in a way that will reduce stress or unwanted behavior. Here are a few steps you can take:

• Wake up and start morning walks a couple minutes earlier every time. Don’t disturb your dog’s sleep by an hour all at once, just enough to get used to the new time gradually.
• Feed your dog meals a bit earlier in weeks leading up to the time change so they can acclimate gradually.
• Get out the door a few minutes earlier each day, and run some errands before work with the extra minutes. That way, your dog can get used to you leaving at the new time.

It’s important to take steps to reduce your dog’s anxiety. Why? You could prevent unwanted behavior.