Does daylight saving time affect dogs?

Daylight saving time can affect dogs through their routine: when clocks fall back, your dog's usual meal and walk times read 1 hour earlier.^1,2 A 2025 study found no evidence that pet dogs' morning activity changed overall. Older pet dogs were less active that first morning, and sled dogs took 1 day to adjust to their handlers' new arrival time.¹

A few small steps can help. You can move your dog's schedule a little at a time, an approach the study authors point to and one also suggested for other routine changes.^1,2 If your dog handles change well, you can also switch all at once.

Why does the clock change matter to dogs?

The clock change matters because dogs live by habit, not by the clock on the wall. Dogs are creatures of routine.²

Where clocks change, they turn back 1 hour in the fall.¹ Your dog's day has not changed, but every time on your clock now reads 1 hour earlier than it did. If breakfast was at 7:00 a.m., your dog's usual breakfast time now shows up as 6:00 a.m.

What did the 2025 study find?

The study found no evidence that pet dogs' morning activity changed overall after clocks fell back, while sled dogs took 1 day to adjust to their handlers' new arrival time. Researchers at the University of Toronto ran the study, published in PLOS ONE. They put activity sensors on dogs' collars around the fall clock change. Sled dogs were tracked in Haliburton, Ontario, in 2020, and pet dogs in Ontario and Quebec in 2021.¹

• Pet dogs: in 29 dog and owner pairs, the researchers found no evidence of an overall change in the dogs' morning activity after the clock change. Older pet dogs were less active in the morning on the first day.¹
• Sled dogs: their handlers arrived on the new clock time, and the dogs took 1 day to adjust to the new arrival time.¹
• Older dogs: the researchers recommend that owners of older dogs be especially mindful about sudden changes to daily routines.¹

The authors suggest that flexible routines and gradual schedule changes may help dogs adjust.¹

How do you move your dog's routine to the new time?

You can move your dog's routine in 1 step or in small steps over a few days. For a change in routine such as a return to work, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) suggests bringing in the new routine slowly. It also suggests scheduling waking up, feeding and walking the way the new day will run.²

Here is how it works for a dog that ate breakfast at 7:00 a.m. before the change. After clocks fall back, that same moment reads 6:00 a.m. Moving breakfast 15 minutes later each day gets you back to 7:00 a.m. in 4 days.

1. Before the change: breakfast at 7:00 a.m.
2. Day 1: breakfast at 6:15 a.m., 15 minutes later.
3. Day 2: breakfast at 6:30 a.m., 30 minutes later.
4. Day 3: breakfast at 6:45 a.m., 45 minutes later.
5. Day 4: breakfast at 7:00 a.m., 1 hour later and fully on the new clock.

Use the same steps for walks, potty breaks and dinner. If your dog eats at set times, those meal times make a good anchor for the rest of the day.

If your dog gets a daily chew or supplement with breakfast, move it along with the meal so the habit stays the same. For more, see our guide on how to read a dog supplement label.

Should you switch all at once or step by step?

You can do either: switch all at once if your dog handles change well, or go step by step for an older dog. Sled dogs in the 2025 study adjusted in 1 day when their handlers switched to the new time all at once.¹

• All at once: a simple choice for a dog that handles changes well. Start the new clock times on the day of the change.
• Step by step: a gentle choice for older dogs, since the researchers advise owners of older dogs to be especially mindful of sudden changes.¹

How do darker evenings change your dog's walks?

Darker evenings mean more morning and evening walks happen in the dark, so plan to be seen.³

Wear something reflective and carry a flashlight so drivers can see you and your dog.³ On icy paths, skip the expandable leash to help avoid slips.³

Many dogs get less exercise in winter and may need their calories cut to avoid weight gain.³ Keep an eye on your dog's weight as the days get shorter, and ask your vet before changing how much you feed. For cold-weather walks, see our guide on how cold is too cold for dogs.

With the holidays ahead, our guide to what Thanksgiving foods dogs can eat can help you plan. You can also find more Learn guides for everyday care.

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