Expert warns of harm caused to pets by changing clocks

Pet owners have been warned about the impact of the clock change on their pets.

According to the expert, sudden changes can cause confusion, anxiety and even an upset stomach.

Owners have been advised to gradually adjust their companion animal’s daily routine before the clock goes back.

Dr Geoffrey Kelu, a circadian rhythm researcher at King’s College London, said that while the nation may be looking forward to spending an extra hour in bed, pets do not understand the concept of daylight saving time (DST) and rely on their owner’s schedule. to spend time in bed. meal times, exercise, waking up and going to bed.

He said: “Animals tell time using a biological clock that synchronizes with the natural light and dark cycles of the day.

“This synchronization results in predictable timing of activities such as sleeping, foraging and hunting, which are known as circadian rhythms.

“However, pets’ biological clocks are significantly influenced by social cues, such as interactions with people.

“For example, instead of waking up at dawn, domestic dogs adjust their sleep-wake cycles to suit their owners’ schedules.”

Without helping pets adjust to the clock change, he said, “You may notice your dog waking up earlier for a morning walk, or your cat getting louder in anticipation of the morning feast.”

Dr Kelu said: “This is because their body clock is temporarily out of sync with the human clock, the schedule has changed due to daylight saving time.”

He said: “Because furry friends value consistency, a sudden change in their walking or feeding routine can cause anxiety or even an upset stomach.

“To minimize the negative impact on pets, we should start gradually adjusting their daily routine about a week before daylight saving time starts, 10 to 15 minutes earlier or later, depending on the time change.

“This gradual shift may help prevent digestive problems that may arise from abruptly changing feeding times.”

He said owners also need to be patient, understanding and trusting, as “it may take your pets a couple of days or more to fully adjust their clocks, similar to how we recover from jet lag.”

Dr Kelu said that like domestic animals, wild animals are also affected by clock changes, especially urban wild animals.

He said: “One of the main impacts of daylight saving time on wildlife is the increase in vehicle collisions.

“A US study found that shifting clocks in the fall put more drivers on the road at dusk, which is a particularly active time of year for deer.

“This duplication results in a significant increase in the number of deer accidents during this period.

“In light of this, some experts advocate moving to permanent daylight saving time to reduce the number of collisions and associated economic losses.”

Dr Kelu said drivers should remain vigilant and cautious, especially in autumn, as dark evenings increase rush hour risks.

He said: “By being mindful of these changes, we can help protect both ourselves and the wildlife that shares our environment.”