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Pet owners are being warned about the impact the clock changes will have on their animals.
Experts say sudden changes can cause confusion, anxiety and even an upset stomach.
Owners are being told to gradually adjust their pets’ lifestyles before the clocks turn back.
Dr Geoffrey Kell, a circadian rhythm researcher at King’s College London, said while the public may look forward to spending an extra hour in bed, pets may not understand the concept of Daylight Saving Time (DST). He said that it depends on the owner’s schedule. Meal times, exercise, getting up and going to bed.
“Animals tell time through their internal clocks, which are synchronized with the natural light-dark cycle of the day.
“This synchronization leads to predictions of the timing of behaviors such as sleeping, foraging, and hunting, known as circadian rhythms.
“However, domestic animal biological clocks are highly influenced by social cues, such as interaction with humans.
“For example, instead of waking up at dawn, pet dogs have been shown to adjust their sleep-wake cycles to match their owners’ schedules.”
Without helping your pet get used to the clock changes, she says, “you might notice your dog waking up earlier for his morning walk or your cat getting louder while waiting for his morning treat.” I can’t do it,” he said.
Dr. Kell says, “This is because their body clocks are temporarily out of sync with humans and their schedules have changed due to daylight saving time.”
“Furry friends thrive on consistency, so a sudden change in their walking or eating habits can cause anxiety or an upset stomach.
“To minimize negative effects on your pet, you should begin making gradual adjustments to your pet’s lifestyle approximately one week before daylight saving time begins, about 10 to 15 minutes earlier or later depending on the time change.
“This gradual change can help prevent digestive problems that can occur with sudden changes in feeding times.”
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Changing your clock can have a negative impact on your sleep (Alamy/PA)
“Just like we recover from jet lag from travel, pet owners need to be patient, understanding and trusting, as it can take a few days or more for a pet’s clock to fully adjust,” he said. “There is,” he said.
Dr Kell said that like pets, wildlife, especially those living in cities, would be affected by clock changes.
He said: “One of the main effects of daylight saving time on wildlife is an increase in vehicle collisions.
“Studies in the US have found that when the clocks change in autumn, more drivers are on the roads at dusk, when deer are most active during the year.
“This overlap significantly increases deer and vehicle accidents during this time of year.
“In view of this, some experts advocate the introduction of permanent DST to reduce collisions and the resulting economic losses.”
Dr Kell said drivers should always be alert and cautious, especially in the fall as evening darkness increases danger during rush hour.
“By staying mindful of these changes, we can protect both ourselves and the wildlife with which we share our environment,” he said.
