Ever noticed your dog waiting by the door right before you get home? Or your cat hopping onto the kitchen counter just as the clock strikes dinnertime? It’s not just coincidence - our furry friends might have a better sense of time than we give them credit for.
In this blog, we’re exploring the science (and the silliness) behind your pet’s sense of time. Can dogs tell the time? Can cats tell the time? And if so, how do they do it? Let’s find out!
How Do Pets Know What Time It Is?
While pets can’t read clocks (at least, not as far as we know!), they are excellent at picking up on patterns and routine. Both dogs and cats have what’s known as a circadian rhythm - an internal body clock that follows a 24-hour cycle. This rhythm helps regulate their sleep, appetite, energy levels, and yes, even their expectations around mealtimes and walks.
Here are a few ways pets seem to ‘tell the time’:
1. Routine Recognition
Pets are masters of routine. If breakfast usually happens at 7am, your dog might start nudging you awake at 6:55. It’s not that they “know” it’s 7 o’clock - they’ve just learned what the world looks, smells, and feels like at that time.
Dogs especially thrive on routine, and changes in schedule can cause pet anxiety or confusion. You can help by keeping a consistent feeding schedule for your cats and dogs.
2. Scent-Based Time Tracking
This one’s wild! Some studies suggest that dogs may be able to smell time. Over the course of a day, the strength of familiar scents changes. Your scent, for example, fades from the home as the hours go by. Some researchers believe dogs might use this fading scent as a sort of olfactory clock, helping them predict when you’re due home.
3. Environmental Cues
Cats and dogs are incredibly observant. The angle of the sun, the sounds of the neighbourhood (like the school run or bin lorries), or even your footsteps approaching the house. All these cues help pets anticipate what’s coming next.
So if you’ve ever wondered "why does my cat wake me up at the same time every day?" It might be less about time and more about their finely tuned senses.
Why Your Pet's Timekeeping Matters
Understanding how pets perceive time can help us be more in tune with their needs. Just like humans, pets thrive on predictability as it helps them feel safe, secure, and less anxious.
Here are a few pet routine tips to make the most of your furry friend’s internal clock:
Keep a consistent schedule – Try to feed, walk, and play with your pet at similar times each day. Check out our helpful feeding guides to support healthy habits.
Use cues to help them anticipate events – For example, a specific phrase before a walk or using a feeding mat only at mealtimes can help reinforce routine.
Be mindful of changes – If your schedule shifts (like daylight saving time), your pet may need a few days to adjust. Be patient!
So… Can Pets Tell the Time?
Not quite like we do, but they’re pretty impressive timekeepers in their own right. Through a combination of internal clocks, environmental observations, and good old-fashioned routine, our pets stay wonderfully in sync with the rhythm of our daily lives.
Next time your pup is waiting at the door or your cat is pacing before dinner, give them a smile, they're just doing their best impression of a watch, no batteries required!
At Harringtons, we believe in giving pets everything they need to thrive - from nutritious meals to consistent routines. Check out our full range of natural dog food and cat food to keep them happy, healthy, and right on schedule.
