Not just humans: Study says dogs with jobs also slowed down by DST time change
It turns out dogs with jobs aren't immune to the adverse effects of Daylight Saving Time, according to a recent paper by Canadian researchers.
On Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 a.m. local time, most Canadians will "spring forward" one hour to mark the start of Daylight Saving Time.
The time change can be hard on some people. Experts say losing an hour of sleep can disrupt our circadian rhythm, which can result in sleep disturbances and mood changes.
Daylight Saving Time is just around the corner.
There are also potential health risks. One study noted a 24 per cent increase in heart attackson the Monday following the start of Daylight Saving Time.
Another study found a 6 per cent increase in fatal car accidents across the U.S. following the time change.
It doesn't just affect people
It turns out dogs with jobs aren't immune to the adverse effects of Daylight Saving Time, according to a recent paper by Canadian researchers.
Motion-sensitive watches were used to observe 25 sled dogs, 29 pet dogs, and their human caregivers at a Canadian facility around the autumn DST time shift, when clocks "fall back" one hour.
The sled dogs observe a strict daily routine, where their handlers normally arrive at sunrise.
Following the time change, the sun rose an hour before their arrival, resulting in a mismatch that affected the activity levels of the dogs. The paper says it took about a day for the dogs to adjust to the new arrival time of their handlers.
DST didn't appear to have much of an impact on pet dogs, but that could be age-related. The study authors noted older dogs appeared less active in the morning following the time change.
Will Daylight Saving Time ever end?
Love it or hate it, the biannual change doesn’t seem to be going anywhere quickly.
B.C. has pledged to end daylight time if Washington, Oregon, and California follow suit. Ontario says it will end DST if Quebec and New York promise to do the same. (Cheryl Santa Maria and April Walker for The Weather Network/Canva)
Ontario and B.C. have passed bills to throw out the time change, but they won't go through with it unless neighbouring states and provinces make the change as well.
VIDEO: Tips to adjusting to the time change
Header image: Cheryl Santa Maria for The Weather Network. Images and graphics courtesy of Canva Pro.