Pet owners may need to prepare for ‘pet lag’ when the clocks go back on 25 October, as the one-hour shift can throw animals’ usual routines for meals, walks and sleep out of sync. 

Some pets may experience confusion and anxiety¹ and appear restless, start whining or become more demanding around their usual meal or walk times. 

Award-winning² pet insurance provider Insure Your Paws outlines how pet owners can help pets adjust smoothly:  

Adjust the routine gradually - Start about a week before the clocks change by shifting feeding, walks and bedtimes by 10 to 15 minutes a day so the change is less drastic.  

Provide comfort and stimulation - Offer calming activities, attention and mental stimulation to help reduce anxiety during the adjustment period. 

Be patient and understanding - Pets may take several days to adapt, in the same way as people need to adjust when changing time zones. 

Ensure safety during darker evenings - For dogs, darker evenings mean walks with reduced visibility: use reflective gear or lights and stick to familiar routes. For cats, consider keeping them indoors a little earlier to avoid traffic risks after nightfall.  

Andrew Simpson, Head of Pet at Insure Your Paws said: “Pets, particularly cats and dogs, are creatures of habit. Sudden changes in their daily routine, including walks, meals, rest, can cause confusion and perhaps even anxiety. Just as humans need time to recover from jetlag, pets may experience their own kind of ‘pet lag’ and take a few days to adjust to the clock change. 

“At Insure Your Paws, we know worries about our pets’ health can arise day or night. That’s why all customers get 24/7 telephone access to Assist Your Paws, our dedicated vet careline staffed by UK-registered veterinary nurses, offering advice on wellness and behaviour and helping assess symptoms to recommend next steps, including a vet referral for serious concerns.” 

Take a look at some of our other recent articles for other seasonal pet care tips.

Sources

¹ Vets Now - Clock Change article

² Insure Your Paws - Winner of the Pet Insurance Award at the National Insurance Awards 2026.