How Daylight Saving Time Impacts Your Pets

What harm can an hour do to our pets? Well, for starters, an hour is like 7 hours, so that’s the first problem (I’m kidding). The truth is, we don’t really know how dogs and cats view time. What is clear is that our pets are deeply entrenched in our own lives and an hour change in time (forward or backward) can most definitely effect their behavior and feelings towards us. 

Just like us, dogs and cats have their own “internal clock” that tells them when to eat, sleep, hunt, play, and more. It’s known as the circadian rhythm and it activates itself through natural sunlight.

When we add or subtract an hour of sunlight, it can absolutely impact our pets. 

If you have any type of routine to your week, your pets do as well. If you suddenly ask them to go potty at a time of day that isn’t in their traditional schedule, they may be unable to go at that moment. Worse, they may soil their kennel or leave a welcome gift in your home because (in their minds), you’re an hour late getting back home. 

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Daylight Saving Time was developed for soldiers, not farmers as many believe. In fact, most in the agricultural industry dislike the concept because cows cannot “produce milk on demand” and roosters don’t crow at the time on a clock. The DST concept can seriously disrupt a working farm or ranch. 

When you “fall back” or “spring forward”, remember that like us, animals are creatures of habit. Try to be understanding of their sudden confusion, occasional mess, or generalized grumpiness. If possible, try to accommodate your pets by doing a gradual shift by moving mealtimes 15 minutes forward or backward over a few days. 

Animals don’t care about a clock, they care about the natural movement of earth. We would all do well to be more like them. 

[bt_quote style=”big-quote” width=”0″]”The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” –Rachel Carson[/bt_quote]

 

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