On the night of 24 to 25 October 2026, clocks in Italy are set back by one hour as the country switches to winter time. For dogs and cats, this means a shift in their biological rhythms: the usual feeding times feel late, and darkness falls earlier, causing anxiety and sleep disturbances.
Pets do not go by the clock face; they rely on circadian rhythms and the sequence of daily events — waking up, walks, meals and play. A sudden one-hour shift disrupts this predictability, and pets may show impatience, increased activity or unusual behaviour until their internal clocks adapt to the new routine.
Cats, being crepuscular animals, are especially sensitive to the early onset of darkness: their activity peaks fall at dawn and dusk, so after the clocks change some begin to show excess energy in the evening or wake earlier than usual. In dogs, the change in lighting during walks can heighten alertness, especially in sensitive or poorly socialised individuals, leading to fear reactions, barking or strong leash pulling.
Veterinary behaviourist Manuela Michelazzi from the AniCura Clinica Veterinaria San Siro explains: dogs and cats do not associate time with numbers but rely on circadian rhythms and the rituals established by their owners. A sudden shift creates a real sensation of hunger and a biological mismatch that causes frustration or anticipatory anxiety.
The main principle of helping is gradualness. Four to five days before or after the time change, it is recommended to shift the main activities — feeding, walks and play — by 10–15 minutes a day so that the pet's body adapts without a sharp jump. It is important to preserve the usual rituals: the sequence of greetings, preparing for a walk or the gestures that precede feeding.
While waiting for food, it is useful to offer alternative activities: brain-training games, scent-search tasks or safe chew toys. For dogs, walks are best planned along familiar and well-lit routes, keeping the owner calm and using a reliable harness. If changes in appetite, sleep or behaviour persist, it is worth consulting a veterinarian.
The predictability of daily rituals remains the key factor in providing reassurance, especially for animals with an anxious past, and helps restore balance faster even when the time changes.
