Shorter Days, Longer Nights: How Seasonal Changes Affect Your Pet’s Routine
- Content Writer
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
As the clocks go back and daylight hours shrink, many pets experience subtle — or not-so-subtle — changes in behaviour, mood, and routine. Just like humans, pets are influenced by light, temperature, and seasonal rhythms.
Understanding how these changes affect your pet allows you to support their health and wellbeing through the darker months, and make small adjustments that can have a big impact on comfort, exercise, and behaviour.
Contents
Changes in Sleep and Activity Levels
With fewer daylight hours, many pets — particularly cats and older dogs — start sleeping more or becoming less active. Their circadian rhythms (internal body clocks) are influenced by light levels, and shorter days may encourage more rest or evening pacing.
This is natural, but if your pet seems excessively lethargic or disinterested in normal activities, it’s worth ruling out underlying health issues such as joint pain, depression, or illness.
Tip: Keep a consistent morning routine and maintain regular playtime or walks to support a healthy sleep-wake cycle.
Exercise and Outdoor Time
Colder, wetter weather — combined with darker evenings — often means less outdoor activity, especially for dogs who dislike rain or cats who prefer to stay in.
This can quickly lead to weight gain, boredom, and reduced fitness levels.
Try these indoor enrichment ideas:
Treat puzzles and snuffle mats
Indoor fetch
Hide-and-seek games or scent trails
Cat trees, climbing shelves, or interactive toys
Keep walks short but consistent, or move them to daylight hours where possible. Reflective gear and torches can help with evening walks.
Feeding and Weight Gain
Seasonal changes often come with reduced activity, but feeding habits don’t always adjust accordingly. It’s easy to overfeed in winter — especially if treats become a substitute for play or walks.
Some pets may need fewer calories in winter, while others (especially outdoor pets) may need slightly more to maintain body temperature. Regular weigh-ins help track any creeping weight gain.
Tips for managing winter weight:
Stick to measured portions
Use slow-feeders to extend mealtime
Swap high-calorie treats for veg like carrot or green beans
Monitor body condition with hands, not just eyes
Mood and Behaviour Shifts
Shorter days can affect mood — and not just in humans. Some pets become more anxious, withdrawn, or restless during winter, especially if their routine or environment changes.
This is more noticeable in:
Pets prone to separation anxiety
Senior animals with joint stiffness or cognitive decline
Cats missing sunspots or outdoor time
Dogs lacking stimulation or exercise
Providing structure, comfort, and mental enrichment helps maintain stability through the seasonal shift.
Safety Tips for Dark Walks
With more walks happening at dawn or dusk, safety becomes even more important. Reduced visibility can increase the risk of accidents — for both you and your pet.
Stay safe with:
Reflective collars, leads, and harnesses
LED clip-on lights or light-up collars
A torch or headlamp
Bright or high-visibility clothing for owners
Keeping pets on-lead in low-light or unfamiliar areas
Don’t forget, darker evenings may also affect toileting schedules — some pets are more reluctant to go out in the cold or wet, so watch for indoor accidents or changes in routine.
When to Contact Us
If your pet seems unusually quiet, has gained weight, is more restless than usual, or if you’re concerned about changes in sleep, appetite, or activity — we’re here to help. Seasonal shifts can unmask or worsen underlying issues, particularly in senior pets.
📞 Call us on 020 8459 4729 or book an appointment online for a check-up or personalised advice on managing your pet’s seasonal wellbeing.
We believe preventing disease is a far better way of helping your pet stay fit, comfortable, happy and healthy. So we’ve created the Vital Pets Club to make sure every pet owner has easy access to the best pet care at an affordable price.
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