Tips for Helping Your Pets Adapt to Daylight Saving Time for a Better Night's Sleep
Learn how to assist your pet in adjusting to the time change so you can both enjoy a peaceful night's rest. Discover expert advice on easing your furry friend into the new schedule.
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Every night at 11 p.m., my dog makes sure I head to bed, and by 7 a.m., he's already up and about, eager to start the day - a routine that could be disrupted by Daylight Saving Time.
When the clocks spring forward an hour on March 10, I will know that Milo and I have to make adjustments to the routine, but he will not.
Reading book and using flashlight. Young boy in casual clothes lying down near tent at evening time.
Reading book and using flashlight. Young boy in casual clothes lying down near tent at evening time.
Serhii Hryshchyshen/iStockphoto/Getty Images
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Do this now to ease you and your child’s transition to Daylight Saving Time
Shifting to Daylight Saving Time can have a bigger impact than we realize, according to sleep expert Dr. Rajkumar Dasgupta. He mentioned in a previous article that even just a one-hour change can disrupt our circadian rhythms. Dasgupta is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Huntington Health in Pasadena, California.
Luckily, there are ways to help your cats and dogs adjust to this time change, which can also benefit you in the process.
Don't worry about your cat adjusting to Daylight Saving Time. According to certified feline behavior experts Linda Hall and Rita Reimers of the Cat Behavior Alliance, it's best not to have your cat on a strict schedule in the first place.
Domesticated cats rely on their owners for food. If a cat is used to being fed at 7 a.m., it will start to worry if the food bowl is still empty at 7:05, according to Hall.
To prevent this, Hall and Reimers suggest establishing behavioral routines and using phrases to signal that food is on the way. They also advise against making feeding the first thing you do in the morning. Otherwise, your cat may constantly bother you during the night, Reimers pointed out.
Hall always spends a few minutes playing with her cats before feeding them. This routine has taught them not to get anxious about food if playtime hasn't happened yet. When Reimers asks her cats "something to eat?", they know it's time to get excited for breakfast.
In their natural habitat, cats typically hunt during dusk and dawn, making those times when they are most active. To avoid being awakened by a playful cat at dawn, Hall suggests placing toys and activities around the house before bedtime. This will give your pet something to do until you wake up.
Inch back your dog’s clock
Dr. Jerry Klein has two dogs, a brother-and-sister pair. One is easygoing, and the other is a canine alarm clock, he said.
"According to Klein, chief veterinary officer of the American Kennel Club, Zane will be ready to go at 6:25 in the morning."
Klein mentioned that how well your dog follows the morning routine can vary depending on their personality. However, hunting and sporting dogs may be more eager to get up and start the day, Klein added.
"They hunt in the early morning hours," he explained. Dogs are typically more active in the morning because that's when they naturally hunt.
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Don't be surprised if you notice these health impacts when daylight saving ends. If you're not ready to feed your dog an hour earlier in the morning, you can start adjusting their schedule now.
Klein emphasized the importance of sticking to a schedule and being consistent with it. He suggested gradually adjusting the schedule by 15 minutes each day to align with your dog's expectations for meal times, outdoor breaks, walks, and even bedtime.
When it comes to transitioning your furry friends, experts suggest taking it slow and steady. Just like how we ease children into changes gradually, it is more manageable to introduce your pets to a new routine little by little over a few days instead of making a sudden drastic change all at once.
Patience is key when it comes to puppies.
If you have a young dog, especially one that is still learning to go potty outside, it's crucial to be extra patient and attentive during the time change. "Young dogs may not be able to hold it as long as older dogs can," explained Klein.
To ensure your puppy has success in training, it's important to adjust the timing of their last trip outside for the day. This will prevent your pet from having to hold its bladder for too long, especially if you want them to sleep in a bit later.
Puppies, unlike older dogs, may not be able to wait as long before needing to go outside, according to Klein. This is why it's crucial to consider their needs and adjust your schedule accordingly.
Trust in your pets
If you don't prepare for the time change in advance and your pet wakes you up early, don't worry. According to Klein, this behavior should only last a couple of days.
Most pets, especially dogs, usually adapt well to new environments, according to Klein. They tend to follow our lead and pick up on our behavior, which eventually becomes a part of their own behavior.
While wild animals follow the sun, domesticated animals like pets adjust their routines to match ours. They are capable of making necessary changes to ensure they thrive in their environment, Klein explained.
“Nature is pretty smart,” Klein said.
Editor's P/S:
The article provides valuable insights into how to adjust our pets to Daylight Saving Time, highlighting the importance of consistency and patience. While cats may not require significant schedule adjustments, dogs, especially those with hunting instincts, may need gradual changes to their routine. By understanding our pets' natural behaviors and following the expert advice outlined in the article, we can help them adapt smoothly to the time change, minimizing disruptions to both their sleep and our own.
It's crucial to remember that pets rely on their owners for guidance and stability. By providing a consistent routine and adjusting it gradually, we can create a comfortable and predictable environment for them. Patience is also essential, especially with young dogs who may need extra attention and support during the transition. Trusting in our pets' ability to adapt and follow our lead will ultimately lead to a successful adjustment to Daylight Saving Time for both them and us.
