We know that dog owners' lives can become busy and emergencies sometimes happen. Naturally, you will need to know how long you can leave a dog alone safely. Dogs are part of the family and they have their own unique needs, so how long you can leave them on their own will depend on many different factors including age, breed, health, behaviour and personality.
How long can you leave a dog alone?
How long can you leave a dog home alone? As a general rule, you can use your pet’s age to work out how long they can be safely and comfortably left alone. It is important to note that certain age groups like young puppies and senior dogs with health issues should not be left alone as long as other age groups.
Adult dogs can usually be left alone for 6-8 hours as long as they can access the outdoors safely to go to the toilet. Puppies can be left alone for an hour for every month they have been alive until after the 6-month mark when alone time is capped at 6-8 hours. For example, no more than 2 hours for a 2-month-old puppy.
Some dogs may be more anxious than others and may experience separation anxiety making your absence much harder on them too, so be aware of your dog’s personality and factor that into your decision making. Prevention is better than cure, positively practising being left alone for short bursts of time from the start helps prevent separation anxiety becoming an issue.
How long can you leave a dog alone based on their age?
- Under 10 weeks: One hour maximum
- 10–12 weeks: Two hours maximum
- 3 months: Three hours maximum
- 4 months: Four hours maximum
- 5 months: Five hours maximum
- 6 months: Six hours maximum
- Over 6 months: No more than 6–8 hours, but only if they can go outside to use the bathroom.
What to consider when leaving a dog home alone?
There are several factors to consider before leaving a dog on their own for an extended time, especially if they are very attached to you or your dog has an anxious personality.
- Bladder: make sure your dog has emptied their bladder before you leave them alone.
- Mental health: you can try to calm an anxious dog by leaving the TV on to soothe them or by providing mentally stimulating toys such as treat puzzles, these distractions may help. If issues persist you can also seek out more advice from your vet or a dog trainer.
- Physical health (exercise): we advise that you take your dog for a long walk before you leave them alone, to calm their mind, get their steps in for the day and release any pent-up energy before they are left alone.
- Hunger: make sure your pet has been well fed before you leave them alone, they should always have access to fresh water too.
Tips for leaving a dog alone
Here are our top tips for making your dog's alone time go more smoothly and be as comfortable for them as possible!
- Begin by leaving your dog alone for a few minutes at a time and gradually increase the time you leave them alone each time you try this exercise. This exposure therapy can help make them feel more comfortable with spending time on their own. Remember not to lose patience with their clinginess, it just means they love you and really enjoy spending time with you. Simply ignore any behaviours that you want to stop and praise with attention the instant any clinginess subsides.
- Exercise your dog before you leave them alone for longer periods of time to make sure they have burnt off excess energy.
- Make sure they have been well-fed before you leave.
- Make sure they have gone to the toilet before you leave to avoid any accidents around the home.
- Provide safe toys for your dog to play with to ensure they are entertained while you are away, puzzle toys are a great way to keep their mind busy.
- You can also invest in a dog camera or mic to keep an eye on them and talk to them while you’re away. This reassuring noise might calm them down and will also ease any anxiety you may have about leaving them alone. However, in some cases, the microphone can also build anxiety in some dogs as they will hear you but not see or smell you. The main purpose for this camera is to view that they are safe, we recommend only using the camera to interrupt any unsafe behaviour.
What to do with my dog if I work for long hours?
There are some options you can consider for your dog if you work long hours. Doggy daycare and trusted pet sitters are the best way to look after your dog when you’re away, they can make sure they eliminate waste appropriately, get a walk, are properly fed and cared for if you’re away for longer than 6-8 hours. For longer periods of absence such as holidays, dog boarding is also a great option, there are lots of boarding options available, so do your research to find the best fit for your dog.
Can a dog be left alone for 8 hours?
How long can I leave my dog? Healthy adult dogs with no separation issues can generally be left alone for 6-8 hours depending on their age and individual needs. It is up to you to decide what is best for your pet. There are several factors to consider before leaving a dog alone for a long time, such as their bladder needs, mental health, physical health (exercise), and hunger levels. All of these needs will need to be addressed before you leave them alone for 8 hours and while you are away.
How long can you legally leave a dog alone in the UK?
How long can you leave a dog alone legally in the UK? There is no set legal limit for how long to leave a dog alone in the UK, however the Animal Welfare Act 2006 protects animals from unnecessary suffering. This therefore makes it illegal to leave a dog alone for an extended period of time that could compromise their welfare. Not only is leaving your dog alone longer than the recommended amount of time cruel, it is also illegal.
Is it cruel to leave a dog alone all day?
Healthy adult dogs with no separation issues can generally be left alone for 6-8 hours, however, this is not the same for all dogs and will depend on their age, breed, size and individual needs. It is cruel and unethical to leave your dog alone for longer than 6-8 hours without help from a friend, family member, pet sitter or doggy daycare. Puppies and older dogs also have specific needs to consider. If you do not have enough time to properly care for your dog you may need to consider rehoming them.
Remember, adult dogs can usually be left alone for 6-8 hours as long as they can access the outdoors for toileting, depending on their age and individual needs. Puppies, older dogs and dogs with separation anxiety have specific needs to consider. Puppies can be left alone for an hour for every month they have been alive until after the 6-month mark when alone time is capped at 6-8 hours. For example, no more than 2 hours for a 2-month-old puppy. There are several factors to consider before leaving a dog alone for a long time, such as their bladder and bowel movements, mental health, exercise and access to dog food and water. All of these needs will need to be addressed before you leave them alone for 8 hours and while you are away. Don’t forget, you can also call in help from trusted friends, family, pet sitters and doggy daycare, because dog owners deserve holidays too!
