October arrives. The days get shorter, it gets dark earlier, and our habits slowly change as well.
But have you ever thought that your dog or cat might notice it too?
Perhaps over the last few weeks you've seen them sleeping longer, seeking out the sofa more often, or choosing that warm corner of the house they completely ignored during the summer.
Is it just our impression, or can autumn really change our pets' habits?
The answer is more interesting than it seems.
☀️ Our pets have an “internal clock” too
The body doesn't randomly decide when it's time to sleep, wake up, eat, or be more active.
Dogs and cats, just like us, possess biological rhythms that are also influenced by the alternation between light and dark.
When autumn arrives, therefore, something changes.
The sun rises later.
It sets earlier.
The hours spent in natural light decrease.
And their bodies perceive these signals.
This doesn't mean that every October, all dogs and cats automatically start sleeping much more than usual, but the variation in daylight hours can contribute to changing rhythms, activity levels, and rest periods.
🐶 “Lately my dog is always sleeping…”
Before blaming autumn, there is one important thing to consider.
It is often not just the dog's day that changes.
Ours changes too.
In summer, we go out more, spend more time outdoors, and the days seem never to end. With October, however, come shorter days, different temperatures, and perhaps a few rainy afternoons.
Result?
The walk may become shorter, time spent outside decreases, and opportunities for exercise are reduced.
And a dog that is less stimulated might simply spend more time resting.
The question to ask, therefore, is not just:
“Are they sleeping more?”
But also:
“Are they doing fewer things during the day?”
🐱 The cat? When it comes to sleep, they are in another league
If you think your cat spends a good part of the day sleeping… you are probably right.
Rest naturally occupies a very important part of a cat's day.
But be careful: not all those hours necessarily mean deep sleep.
Cats often alternate moments of sleep with phases of light dozing, during which they remain ready to react to a sound, a movement, or, naturally, the unmistakable sound of their favorite food.
With the arrival of the cooler months, you might also start finding them more and more often in the warm spots of the house.
A blanket.
The sofa.
A sunlit area.
The bed.
Or perhaps exactly the spot where you wanted to sit.
Coincidence? Probably not. 😸
🌡️ It’s not just a matter of light
October also brings another obvious change: temperatures begin to drop.
And here we can observe very different behaviors.
Some dogs, especially after the summer heat, may even become more energetic and feel more like walking when temperatures become pleasant.
Other pets might instead seek more of the comfort and warmth of home.
This is why there is no real “autumn mode” that is the same for everyone.
Age, breed, coat, physical condition, environment, and daily routine can make a big difference.
🍂 The real risk of autumn? Boredom
It's raining outside.
The walk is shorter.
It gets dark early.
“Let's stay on the couch today.”
Once, it doesn't matter.
But if it becomes a habit, the problem might not be how much your pet is sleeping, but rather how stimulated they are when they are awake.
Autumn can be a great time to introduce new activities indoors as well.
Searching games, small exercises, interactive toys, and olfactory activities can turn even a rainy day into a fun time together.
With a cat, you can hide some kibble for them to search for, use toys that simulate a small “prey,” or create new places for them to explore.
With a dog, you can organize simple scent games, teach a new command, or use part of their daily ration through puzzle games that require a bit of reasoning.
Tiring the mind, in fact, can be just as important as moving the body.
💤 But how much sleep is “too much”?
And here we are at the question you've probably been asking yourself from the beginning.
When should you be concerned?
Rather than obsessively counting hours of sleep, it is useful to know your animal's normal habits.
If your pet has always loved sleeping a lot and continues to eat, play, interact, and behave normally, a few extra moments of rest do not necessarily mean that something is wrong.
The case is different for a sudden and marked change.
If a dog or cat appears unusually lethargic, no longer wants to play, changes their appetite, shows weakness, or displays other unusual behaviors, it is best not to automatically attribute everything to the change of season.
In these cases, it is appropriate to speak with your veterinarian.
🍁 So yes: your pet realizes autumn has arrived
Maybe they don't look at the calendar.
They don't know it's October.
And they are certainly not thinking that we will soon have to change the clocks.
But their body is constantly receiving information from the environment around them.
Light, temperature, routine, activity, and time spent outdoors change.
And their days can change along with ours, too.
The most interesting thing, then, is to start observing them.
Where do they sleep now compared to summer?
Have their active hours changed?
Are they seeking out warmth more?
Do they feel more or less like going out?
Because every season doesn't just change the landscape outside the window.
It can also change the little daily world of our pets. 🐾
🌙 The October challenge
This evening, observe your dog or cat.
Without changing their routine, try to notice where they choose to sleep, what time they become calmer, and which spot in the house they prefer when evening arrives.
Then think about where they did the same things during the summer.
Has anything changed?
You might discover that your pet had noticed the arrival of autumn long before you did. 🍂
Discover all Respet products here
Respet — let’s take care of every moment together. 🐶🐱
