DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

By Wednesday, March 7, 2018 8 No tags Permalink

Daylight Savings Time is coming back around again. It’s time for our twice a year clock adjustment and it’s happening this weekend as a matter of fact.

Seems like only yesterday when I wrote a post about clocks falling back for standard time.

The second Sunday in March we turn our clocks forward one hour, lose one hour of sleep and cause confusion for our pets…

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

The Boys are super smart, but they cannot tell time.

Loss of that one hour will disturb their rhythm because of their biological clock!

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

CIRCADIAN RHYTHM –

Circadian Rhythm is basically a 24 hour internal clock that runs constantly in the background of your brain and cycles between sleepiness and alertness at regular intervals. Source: National Sleep Foundation

Outside factors like lightness and darkness play a huge role with that part of your brain which controls your circadian rhythm.

When things get in the way, like –

  • traveling
  • late night hours
  • or anything that keeps you up into the wee hours of the night

Your circadian rhythm gets disrupted and will make you feel out of sorts. Many people find it harder to pay attention.

Our dogs function the same way. Daylight Savings Time can cause sudden differences in their daily routines…

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

A PET PARENTS PLAN –

Come Sunday our dogs will know somethings up.

They are creatures of light –

Animals are closely tuned to the cycles of light and dark in terms of their physiology and behavior. Source: Pet Health Network

Unfortunately we cannot “reset” their clocks and the majority of their schedules are determined by natural sunlight.

Some dogs may become stressed out because your returning from work in the dark when they’re accustomed to seeing you come through the door in the daylight hours.

After daylight savings goes into effect, activities like meals and walks may be met (initially) with a little bit of confusion and/or anxiety.

The struggle in our house will be our morning ritual. Breakfast will get served while it’s still dark and for Harley that’s a problem. In past years he has come down to the family room (that first morning after we’ve switched the clocks) and lounged on the couch for a while instead of eating his breakfast right away…

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME I will need to coax him the first couple of days.

MY PLAN –

Friday and Saturday I will rise earlier in preparation for Sunday. This will help not only them – but me as well.

I chose the weekend because I don’t have to rush out of the house at the crack of dawn to go anywhere other then to walk them.

Most dogs (like most people) find the time switch to be “no big deal.” But for others that first week can be unsettling. If you have a dog that has difficulty sleeping or is extremely sensitive to time changes, ask your vet about nutritional supplements or relaxing scents.

Friday, Saturday AND Sunday after dinner, l plan to run, play, and romp them into comatose exhaustion…

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Hopefully they will fall asleep earlier resulting in an earlier wake up time. #onecanpray

The benefits of springing ahead means more outdoor activities – which is always up our Doodle alley…

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

What do you do to help your dog adjust to daylight savings time?…

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Daylight Savings Time means the clock in the car will finally be correct! ❤

ONE MORE THING –

There’s sill time for you to enter our giveaway and win a set of Wunderballs. This ball is indestructible!

You’re one click away from endless hours of fun for your pup! CLICK HERE

DISCLAIMER: I am not a veterinarian nor a scientist. I’m a pet parent always interested in understanding more about my dogs. If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian — they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

 

8 Comments
  • Shadow and Ducky's Mom
    March 7, 2018

    Since hubby and I are both retired, the time changes are really just annoyances for us and the dogs. We get up when we wake up and go about our normal routine, just like any other morning. Shadow is quirky about eating in the morning anyway, so I don’t worry about it too much.

    Sounds like you have a good plan in place to help the boys through the first few days.

    • Cathy Bennett
      March 8, 2018

      A few years ago when I was home (my mini retirement) I did exactly what you do. It was so much easier. In reality, the older they get the less of an issue it becomes but like Emma said, after a few days we’re back on track and go about business as usual. Have a great day!

  • Emma
    March 8, 2018

    We wish they would finally get rid of this foolishness. Four months to adjust and then right back is nonsense. We just do it and it takes a few days for us to figure it out, but there really is no need for humans or pets to deal with this.

    • Cathy Bennett
      March 8, 2018

      Emma, I totally agree with you. The reasons decades ago are really no longer relevant – but deal we must. So I will stick to my plan and like you said – in a few days we’ll all adjust and it will be over!

  • Jan K
    March 8, 2018

    Ugh, I dread it!! I think I’m the one that takes it the worst in the household though. I have trouble sleeping sometimes and this just makes it all worse. I’ll be out of sorts for a week or two!
    However, the animals seem to adjust to it fairly quickly. Cricket doesn’t like to eat breakfast too early, so that will be the most difficult thing. I think? Will it make it better or worse….I don’t even know!! LOL
    I definitely agree with Emma, they just need to stop all this foolishness!! But good for you for coming up with a plan to make it easier, that’s really all we can do.

    • Cathy Bennett
      March 8, 2018

      Let’s first wait and see if the plan works LOL

      Jaxson has been out playing soccer with Doodle Dad just about all week. He’s so exhausted when I get home he’s not interested in doing anything but cuddling up wit h me. He’s got his therapy dog testing tomorrow – paws and fingers crossed he will still be tired and I won’t have to say sorry too much to the evaluator!

  • Monika & Sam
    March 8, 2018

    We have a post about this in the hopper. Frankly, we despise this time of year. How do you explain the change in mealtimes to dogs? They totally do not get DST any more than I do. Hopefully we’ll adjust better than we did last year. We were out of step the whole bloody summer! Good luck to you and the boys.

    • Cathy Bennett
      March 8, 2018

      I’m still trying to figure out why we’re still having it.
      If memory serves me correctly, I think when we spring ahead it’s not as hard as in the fall. We’ll soon see won’t we?
      Take care my friend.