Dark Nights and Dog Walks: Essential Pet Safety Tips for When the Clocks Go Back
- Alex Giles
- Oct 25
- 4 min read
The clocks go back this week, which means an extra hour in bed (unless you share your life with a pet who doesn’t care what the clock says!). But it also means our evenings are about to get darker, faster and those after-work walks will soon feel a little more precarious.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge advocate for pet and human safety. If you’ve ever been out on a walk and received a random clip-on light from me, it’s probably because I couldn’t see you and I want every pet parent and animal to stay visible and safe.
So, I’ve put together a list of dark-night essentials for pets, everything you need to make your evening walks safer, brighter and more fun as we head into the darker months.
(This post includes affiliate links from Amazon for some of the products I have used and recommend - every penny helps me keep sharing free advice for local pet parents!)
Dogs and Cats - staying safe and seen
No matter your pet’s size, breed, or age, visibility at night is vital. Just because your dog is big doesn’t mean a car (or another dog owner) can see them in low light! The same goes for adventurous cats who like to explore after dusk.
Outdoor Essentials for Dog Walking and Cat Safety
Rechargeable LED Collar
A light-up, rechargeable LED collar is a must-have for darker evenings. They’re adjustable, easy to charge via USB, and you can even cut them to size. I like using the colours to signal how friendly (or reactive) a dog is, for example, my dog Loki wears a yellow or red light depending on his mood.
Note: It says it’s suitable for cats too, but I’ve never tried it with one!
Clip-on Lights
If you’re local, you might already have one of these, I hand them out regularly! They’re brilliant for attaching to collars, harnesses, or even your dog’s lead. I’ve also given them to kids to clip onto their backpacks for evening walks.
Light up or Reflective Harnesses
I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fan of fully light-up harnesses because they don’t always have the same strength as a good, solid harness. Instead, I recommend choosing one that has reflective stitching or panels. Every dog’s needs are different depending on their size, shape, and walking style, so it’s worth picking one that suits your pup.
Reflective Dog Coats
For dogs that enjoy wearing coats, a reflective or Hi-Vis option can be a game-changer. My boy isn’t the biggest fan of coats, but I really like the look of this one -it’s reflective, comfortable, and doesn’t include a built-in harness (which I prefer).
Leads
I don’t recommend light-up leads — they often lack structural integrity — but reflective leads are fantastic. Alternatively, use clip-on lights to add visibility to your current lead setup.
Dog Toys for Dark Evenings
If you’re walking somewhere safe and secure, you can still have fun when it’s dark - just with a little help from glow-in-the-dark toys! These are especially helpful for when your retriever decides not to retrieve.
Top tip: I don’t recommend off-lead walks in the dark unless you’re in a secure field and your dog is wearing lights. Safety first!
Glow-in-the-Dark Balls: Perfect for evening fetch sessions.
Glow-in-the-Dark Frisbee
For the humans
Because let’s be honest — it’s not just the dogs that need to be visible!
Head Torch
Absolutely essential. Helps you see where you’re going and where the poop has landed (we’ve all been there).
Hi-Vis Vest
I love my hi-vis vest — it fits easily over my coat and ensures I’m seen, no matter what. It’s simple but incredibly effective.
Runner’s Lights / Chest Lights
I use these all the time! They’re typically made for runners, but I love them because they keep my hands free, light the path in front of me, and make sure I’m visible from a distance.
Bone-Conducting Headphones
If you like listening to music or podcasts on your walks, please avoid in-ear headphones - they block out too much surrounding noise. Bone-conducting headphones let you enjoy your tunes while still being fully aware of what’s happening around you.
Final Thoughts
When the clocks change, our routines change too, but our pets don’t understand why everything suddenly feels darker earlier. A little extra preparation goes a long way to keeping everyone safe, visible and happy.
So, grab your lights, clip on your reflective gear, and keep those evening walks full of joy not worry. Stay safe, stay seen, and as always, give your furry friend a little extra cuddle from me.
— Aunty Lexy 🐾💙