How Long Can A Dog Be Left Alone (And Why)?

How Long Can A Dog Be Left Alone (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 4 To 6 Hours

When someone is feeling happy, sad, or angry, they turn towards someone for either sharing the happiness or to comfort them in their sadness. Some people have friends and family, while some prefer being with their pets whatever the situation might be. When one wants to adopt a pet, they have hundreds of choices, from animals to birds to sea creatures.

Some people prefer to adopt sea creatures like fishes, while some choose domestic animals, but some even adopt wild animals at a young age and grow them to be domestic and soft, shedding their natural qualities.

More than 60% of the world’s population love dogs and over 70% adapt them as pets. Dogs are loving animals, and they are extremely loyal and can live for about 10 to 12 years.

How Long Can A Dog Be Left Alone

How Long Can A Dog Be Left Alone?

Duration a dog can be left aloneTime
Continuously for aboutFour hours
On average, dogs should not be left alone for more thanThree to four hours
Adult dogs can be left alone forFive to six hours

Some dogs have killer instincts, while some are just adorable, cuddle animals with soft, endearing characteristics. Yet, when someone adopts a dog, the owners should know many things about dogs so that they can be maintained well both emotionally and physically.

Dogs are companion animals and according to PDSA (People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals), dogs, just like humans, have the basic five welfare needs, which include health, diet, environment, companionship, and behavior, and it has been noticed that dogs certainly need a great deal of interaction, even the dogs who like to have their alone time.

One thing that a person should know when they adopt dogs is that they should not be left alone for more than three to four hours. Even an adult dog should not be left alone for more than five to six years. When a dog is left alone for more than six to eight hours, there can be several consequences. How long a dog can be left alone depends on various components, like its health condition, age, the behavior of the dog, and even the temperature of the surroundings.

When dogs are left in their homes alone, they should be provided at least some entertainment toys to keep them occupied. The things include calming supplements, chew toys, treats, food puzzles, and a blanket with some interactive toys.

Why Can A Dog Be Left Alone That Long?

A dog normally sleeps anywhere anytime, so they must be trained to follow schedules and should be potty trained if they must be left alone.

Since dogs are companion animals, leaving them alone for a long time can affect their mental state and wellbeing and this changes their behavior. This can also lead to a lack of socialization from the dogs and since puppies are more vulnerable than adult dogs, they must be taken care of very well. The puppies get very stressed out when they are left alone for very long.

It also depends on the type of dogs, for example, Siberian huskies and Australian shepherds require a lot of exercise outdoor to maintain their physical health, as they are energetic breeds. When they are left alone indoors, they can get bored easily and this can be destructive. When these dogs are left alone for more than two hours indoor without any company, they will start going into a frenzy.

Conclusion

Meanwhile, dogs like basset hounds are more lazy and relaxed, and they are more sedentary. Dogs are certainly one of the most straightforward animals and they will seek out attention. They are in constant need of attention, both puppies and adults. Puppies below the age of ten weeks old should never be left alone for more than one hour, and when the puppy is about ten to twelve weeks, they can be left alone for two hours.

When the puppies turn six months old, they will be able to hold their bladder for about six hours, so they can leave alone for five to six hours. Another reason why adult dogs can be left alone longer than puppies is that senior dogs normally nap for a longer time than puppies.

References

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159196011239
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159103000625
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