On the night of Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 October 2026, we switch to winter time: in mainland Spain, at 3:00 the clocks go back to 2:00 (in the Canary Islands, as in the UK and Ireland, 2:00 becomes 1:00). For us, that means an extra hour of sleep. For a dog or a cat, above all it means a meal that arrives “late” and a walk that no longer happens at its usual time. The clock change and pets don't always get along, but if you plan ahead a little, the transition goes almost unnoticed. Here's how to do it, day by day.
Why the clock change throws dogs and cats off
Our animals don't look at the clock. Their day is organised around daylight and, above all, around our habits: the alarm, the bowl, the morning walk, you coming home in the evening. When we put the clocks back an hour, that whole schedule is thrown off all at once. A dog that used to eat at 7:00 will ask for food at 6:00 by the new time, and a cat that used to wake you at dawn will do so an hour earlier by the alarm clock.
In most cases it's a small mismatch that sorts itself out in a few days. Older animals, those that live on a very fixed routine or those that take medication at a specific time may need a little longer.
Clocks going back and pets: the gentle one-week plan
The simplest approach is to get ahead of it. From Monday 19 October, push meals and walks back by about 10 minutes each day. By Saturday 24 you'll be running an hour behind the old schedule, and on Sunday you'll just need to go back to your usual times on the new clock. For a meal you normally serve at 7:00:
- Monday 19 October: 7:10;
- Wednesday 21 October: 7:30;
- Saturday 24 October: 8:00;
- Sunday 25 October: 7:00 by the new time, which for your animal is exactly the same moment.
Do the same with the evening walk and, if you can, with bedtime. Didn't get ahead of it? You can do it after the change: on Sunday, serve the meal at 6:15 and move it towards 7:00 in 15-minute steps. By Wednesday you'll be back on your usual schedule.
Dogs: adjusting walks now that it gets dark earlier
After 25 October, by the clock it gets dark an hour earlier. The 19:00 walk now happens almost in the dark and at rush hour.
- If you can, bring the evening walk forward to make the most of the last of the daylight.
- Make sure your dog can be seen: a light-up collar, a reflective harness or vest, and a torch for you.
- Keep your dog on the lead near roads: at dusk, drivers find it hard to see them.
Cats: stopping them from waking you at 5 in the morning
The cat is usually the most insistent. If breakfast used to be at 7:00, they'll come asking for it at 6:00 or even earlier.
- Don't give in to dawn meowing. If you put food down as soon as they insist, they learn that it works and the habit sticks.
- Play with your cat before you go to bed and then give them a small part of their ration: a cat that has “hunted” and eaten is more likely to sleep until morning.
- A programmable feeder can serve the first meal at a fixed time: that way the cat learns to wait for the machine, not for you.
For more play ideas, read our article Cat toys: ideas to keep your cat from getting bored.
The dog that stays home alone during the day
If you leave for work at the same time as before, your dog sees you go an hour later than usual, and for them your return in the evening also comes an hour later. During those days, leave them something to keep busy with (a chew toy, a snuffle mat) and keep departures and arrivals calm. If your dog already struggles with being left alone, our guide to separation anxiety in dogs will help.
Medication, signs to watch for and the vet
If your pet takes medication at a fixed time, such as insulin, ask your vet how to adjust the doses: don't change the schedule on your own. Otherwise, it's normal for them to be a little more restless, more demanding or to wake up earlier for a few days. But if their appetite, sleep or behaviour are still off after more than a week, it's worth seeing the vet.
A late meal makes some dogs impatient, and a hungry dog tends to gulp its food. If that sounds like yours, you'll find our tips for when your dog eats too fast useful. Very soon we'll have our silicone slow feeder for dogs and cats at Velia Select, with a built-in bowl, four textured zones for kibble, wet food or treats, and a non-slip suction-cup base. It's also dishwasher safe. You'll find more for your pets and your home in our full selection.
In short
The week before: meals and walks 10 minutes later each day. In the evening: an earlier walk, or a well-lit one. At night: no kibble on demand. With this routine, most dogs and cats will have forgotten all about the switch to winter time before the month is out.
This article is for information only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.