Daylight saving time ends soon: clocks go back one hour on Sunday, October 25, across the UK and the EU, and on Sunday, November 1, in most of the US. Your pets won't know. The easiest fix is to shift meals, walks and play by 10 to 15 minutes a day over the week before, so the hour is spread out instead of landing all at once. Here's how to do it for dogs, cats and small pets, plus what to watch for.

When do the clocks go back in 2026?

  • UK and EU: Sunday, October 25, 2026. UK clocks go from 2:00 a.m. back to 1:00 a.m. In Central Europe, 3:00 a.m. becomes 2:00 a.m.
  • United States: Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time. Hawaii and most of Arizona don't change.
  • Canada: Mostly November 1, but British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba won't fall back this year, so check your province.

If you're in Europe and reading this on Monday, October 19, you have six days. That's enough for the gentle version.

Why does daylight saving time affect pets?

Pets run on routine, not clocks. PDSA, the UK vet charity, puts it simply: dogs and cats are creatures of habit, and they don't understand why the clocks have changed. To them, breakfast is suddenly an hour late.

Dr. Jeffrey Kelu, a circadian rhythms researcher at King's College London, has warned that a sudden routine change can leave pets confused or anxious, and can even upset their stomachs. It's a bit like jet lag, he says, and it may take a couple of days or longer for them to adjust.

There's some reassuring science, too. A 2025 University of Toronto study in *PLOS ONE* tracked dogs with activity monitors through the fall clock change. Working sled dogs on a strict, human-set schedule were thrown off on the day itself but settled within about a day. Pet dogs living with families showed no measurable change in their morning activity at all. The authors' takeaway: dogs cope well when routines are flexible and changes are gradual.

So this isn't a crisis. It's a small thing you can make even smaller.

How to shift your dog's routine

Pick one of two approaches. Both work.

Option 1: Start before the change. Animal Friends and the Humane Society of Missouri suggest moving feeding times and walks about 15 minutes a day over the week before. Dr. Kelu recommends small daily steps of roughly 10 to 15 minutes. For the clocks going back, every step moves *later*.

Say your dog eats at 7:00 a.m. Here's a six-day version for Europe:

DayBreakfast (old clock)
Mon, Oct 197:10
Tue, Oct 207:20
Wed, Oct 217:30
Thu, Oct 227:40
Fri, Oct 237:50
Sat, Oct 248:00
Sun, Oct 257:00 on the new clock

On Sunday, 7:00 on the new clock is the same moment as 8:00 on the old one, so your dog doesn't notice a thing. Do the same with dinner and the evening walk. In the US, start the same plan on Monday, October 26.

Option 2: Shift after the change. PDSA suggests keeping your pet's usual times on the first day, which will now read an hour earlier on the clock (so breakfast at 6:00). Then move everything 10 minutes later each day until you've caught up. It takes about a week. PDSA adds that starting a few days early makes it easier still.

Toilet breaks: If your dog goes out after meals, let the toilet breaks move with the meals, Animal Friends says. If your dog struggles, keep the usual toilet schedule until their body catches up. PDSA's advice on accidents during the switch: don't be angry. It's the routine, not your dog.

Walks: Animal Friends also suggests getting your dog used to new routes before the change. If your dog loves an open field after work, add short pavement walks now, before the evenings go dark.

How to help your cat adjust

Cats tend to let you know about the time change at full volume. Dr. Kelu says you may hear your cat getting louder while waiting for breakfast.

  • Shift meals gradually. Animal Friends suggests 15-minute steps over the week before. PDSA suggests 10.
  • Keep meals at set times for outdoor cats. PDSA says this helps them come home predictably.
  • Let your cat out before meals, not after, during the change. That's Animal Friends' top tip, because a hungry cat has a reason to come back.
  • Plan for restless evenings. PDSA notes cats can get restless on dark, cold evenings. A few short play sessions indoors can help.

If your cat goes outdoors and you'd rather they were in before dark, PDSA's advice is to keep them in after their evening meal. Expect a few grumpy days, and give them plenty to do inside.

Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets

Small pets notice the change mostly at mealtimes. PDSA says that for rabbits and hamsters, the main adjustment is shifting feeding times. Use the same 10-minute steps for their meals.

Older pets and pets on medication

Older pets may find it harder. PDSA says pets with conditions like dementia may struggle more with routine changes, so go slower with them. If your pet is having a hard time, talk to your vet.

If your pet takes medication at set times, don't just guess. Animal Friends advises speaking to your vet about how to handle the clock change, especially for anything that has to be given at a fixed time.

Signs your pet is struggling with the time change

Based on what Dr. Kelu and PDSA describe, watch for:

  • waking you earlier than usual for a walk or breakfast
  • louder meowing or more begging around mealtimes
  • seeming confused or anxious
  • an upset stomach
  • accidents in the house

Most pets settle within a few days. If an upset stomach doesn't settle quickly, or your pet seems unwell, call your vet.

Darker evenings: the part people forget

The clock change itself is minor. The darkness that comes with it isn't. PDSA says you may need to walk your dog earlier once the clocks go back, and links to its own advice on walking safely in the dark. We've written a full guide on walking your dog in the dark, too. You'll find it on the Paw Alert blog.

And if your pet does slip out on a dark evening, you can post a lost pet report on the Paw Alert map so people nearby can see it. The app is free and has no ads.

Frequently asked questions

Does daylight saving time affect dogs?

It can, a little. Dogs on strict schedules may be thrown off for about a day, according to a 2025 University of Toronto study of sled dogs. Pet dogs with flexible routines showed no measurable change, so shifting things gradually is usually enough.

Do cats notice the time change?

Yes, mostly through their stomach. Your cat may get louder or wake you earlier because breakfast is late by their body clock. Shifting meals 10 to 15 minutes a day over the week before helps.

How long does it take a pet to adjust to the clocks going back?

Usually a few days. Dr. Jeffrey Kelu of King's College London says it may take a couple of days or longer. Older pets may need more time, so go slower with them.

Should I change my pet's medication times?

Don't change them on your own. Ask your vet how to shift doses around the clock change, especially for medication that needs to be given at a fixed time.

Sources