Having a dog as a member of your family equals having a schedule that a lot of times revolves around your four legged friend. Arranging meetings, work hours, social outings and/or running errands based on how long has your dog been alone. You might even miss a few night outings just to stay with him and avoid the guilty feeling of abandoning him.
As much as our dogs love our company, leaving them home alone is definitely not a bad thing or dangerous. Want to know how long can your dog be on its own? Keep reading for some tips and advice to make his alone time safe and enduring.
Potty Breaks
The number one concern that most people have when leaving their dogs alone at home is: how long is my dog able to last without going out for a bathroom break? The average times that a dog needs to pee are between three to five times a day, according to experts however the timing for the bathroom breaks are different from dog to dog. Senior dogs and puppies need breaks more frequently.
This are the common time limit that a dog can “hold it” according to different life stages:
Puppies:
For each month of age a puppy can hold it for an hour (for example a 4 month old can wait for four hours before needing to pee)
Adult dogs age one year and up:
Ideally they should not wait for more than six hours but they can wait up to eight.
Senior dogs age eight and up:
Two to six hours is the recommended time for senior dogs, depending on their health and size
This of course, are estimates and it varies depending on size, health condition and habits. Forcing a dog to “hold it” for very long periods of time is dangerous for their health possibly causing urinary tract infection, stones or crystals. Not to mention that it can be very uncomfortable for your pet and can lead to “accidents” in the house.
It would be ideal to provide bathroom breaks every four to six hours, of course that is not an easy task since most work days are eight to ten hours long plus commute, if coming home during that period of time to let your dog out is impossible, you can hire a dog walker to take over at that time.
Exercise
Having an exercise routine for your dog will help him:
-Stay healthy
-Digest meals
-Stimulate his mind
-Burn calories
-Avoid boredom (and boredom-induced destructive behaviors)
The exercise needs vary for every dog depending on his age, breed and health level.
On average, a healthy dog needs about an hour of moderate activity on a daily basis, keep in mind that this activity time does not have to be all at once. Consider taking your dog for a 20-30 min walk or play session before leaving him home alone, that will tire him out making his time alone more relaxing.
If possible, a midday activity (either with you or with a walker) can help endure till you are back home for the rest of the day.
If after being alone for some time your dog shows signs of anxiety or destructive behavior it is possible that he needs a more frequent and intensive exercise routine. Talk to your veterinarian, he might help you find the ideal exercise routine for your dog.
Mental activity
Aside from potty breaks and physical activity, in order to keep your dog healthy, happy and well behaved attending his mental activity is crucial. All dogs require a good amount of mental stimulation throughout the day, otherwise boredom can take over and he might become destructive during his time alone.
Walking around the neighborhood, a puzzle feeder, training session, a round of indoor games, any of these enrichment activities will contribute to your dog’s health and can help balance out the time he is home alone.
Kepping your dog busy:
There are many toys and tools that can help you keep your dog busy, visit your favorite pet store or look online for options. Safe chews are definitely a must-have.
It is a great idea to have a secure and comfortable space for your pet, it can consist of a crate, a bed, his favorite toys and even some clothing that reminds him of your (or other family members) smell, especially if he suffers from separation anxiety.
In summary
Not all dogs are the same, the time they can spend home alone is different for all of them, we can agree that every dog needs periodic potty breaks, exercise and mental stimulation. Keep in mind that if your work schedule keeps you away from home for very long periods of time, you should consider hiring a trustworthy dog walker that can give your dog a much needed midday break and attention. It will also help you feel better about not being around plus your homecoming will be sweeter.