Let’s face it. No matter how much you love your dog, there are instances when one has to leave the dog alone at home. This farewell can range from 1 to 12 hours.
From going to the office to taking kids to school and going shopping, our routine activities urge us to leave the furry friends at home.
But for how long can we easily leave them alone? Any fixed period that helps your dog stay away from the isolation distress? Is it ok to leave the dog alone for 12 hours?
Well, knowing the required isolation time for your dog is the best way to make him feel safe and comfortable. Being a dog owner will also help you navigate your job easily. For more information on how many hours a dog can happily withstand without a caretaker, read till the end. Who knows, you get an urgent meeting this weekend. This article might help!
For how much time can you leave your dog alone?
Short answer: As short as possible.
Try to minimize the isolation time of your dog. Even the well-adjusted dogs can get stressed if left alone for some time. The age factor plays an important role in determining if the dog can face isolation or not. The time of leaving a dog alone is shown in the chart below.
| Age of the dog | Isolation time limit |
| Puppies | 2 hours every day |
| Adult dogs (of 2 years) | 4 to 6 hours every day |
| Elderly dog | 2 to 6 hours every day |
Is it ok to leave the dog alone for 12 hours?
Leaving your furry friend alone for 12 hours is not recommended unless it’s super important. The dog may not control his urinary urgency for longer and will need some stimulation to stay relaxed.
There are a few circumstances when you are allowed to leave the dog alone for a long time. However, if the dog sitter or boarding facility is available, you should immediately avail them because leaving your pooch alone should never be your priority.
If you are left with no other options and your canine has to spend some time in solitude, keep these things in mind:
- Ensure that the isolated dog has access to the bathroom.
- He may also have easy access to the litter box or potty pads in the backyard within the home.
Although both of the abovementioned points have their drawbacks, the lack of supervision in the backyard may result in the stealing of the dog. They may also escape or cause hurt themselves.
Now you are aware of the importance of the bathroom, what other things you must provide access to? The second most important thing is food and water. How can he stay at home without eating or drinking water?
The easiest way to cope with this situation is to leave the water containers for that particular span. Even if the water spills out of the bowl/container, the animal could still access it.
Other ways to deal with this separation time are finding a dog daycare, dog walker, or a pet sitter. Being left alone every day is the cause of boredom, which results in behavior disorders, and destructiveness in pets.
Important factors to consider while leaving the dog alone for 12 hours
Here are some of the most important factors you must consider.
- Medical condition
- Age
- Potty breaks
- Physical activity or exercise
- Feeding times
- Socialization
Ways for leaving your canine friend for 12 hours
Proper training is important to teach your dog to stay at home for an extended period without being stressed. However, following some of the basic rules may help you a lot. Let’s dive into them.
1. Leave the pet toys
Whenever you have to stay for more than 12 hours, provide the pet toys to your pooch. These will entertain him and keep him busy. You can also get a pack of dry dog food. It will provide him the activity to look for ways to take out the food. The puzzle pet toys are also a safe option. These toys grab the dog’s attention for longer.
A word of caution:
- If your dog has a chewing and swallowing habit, avoid these toys.
- The breathing problems may also occur with the dog toys.
2. Provide him his own time
Still confused if it is ok to leave the dog alone for 12 hours? Well, sometimes it’s ok, but you don’t have to see him for some time. If you plan to leave him, let him have his own free time. It will help the dog learn the habit of spending time in solitude without feeling depressed.
Your dog gets bored if left alone for longer? Will he feel hungry and crave for food? Or become bored or restless? Take everything into account and get fully prepared for leaving your dog home alone.
If you have few minutes more, please check out my other articles below:
- What Are The Calmest Dog Breeds?
- Schutzhund training cost: How much you will need to spend?
- Why Does my Dog Lick my Blankets?
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