Many Americans put in long hours at the office and lose valuable time in commuting. If you’re here, you’re probably a pet lover like us. Nothing makes our hearts melt like coming home from a long day to see our dog’s happy face, tongue out, and tail wagging. A well-trained dog can manage their alone time in stride if the hours aren’t too long. Many responsible pet owners have homes where everyone works.
You’ve been gone all day Friday, so it makes sense that you might want to unwind and socialize with friends after work, but what about on weekends when you want to go out? You might be wondering how long can dogs be left alone, but your poor pup has been waiting for you all day at home.
How Long Can a Puppy Be Left Alone?
How long a puppy can be left alone defies a simple explanation. Many experts advise against leaving a puppy alone for longer than two to three hours due to their weakened bladder control and potential for developing separation anxiety problems. Assuming your puppy is 2 months old, this means they can hold their bladder for 2 hours while you’re gone. According to the general rule of thumb, puppies can hold their urine and feces for an hour for every month they are old. They require more care than a teenager, much like a newborn baby.
It’s crucial to think about both your needs and those of the puppy you plan to purchase. Consider getting an older dog that is 2-3 years old and can hold his bladder all day if you work a 9–5 job and don’t have anyone at home who can take care of your new puppy. You can also consider dog daycare services. In any case, a brand-new puppy is a wonderful addition to the family and will make your house a happy place. And finally, for the first six months of puppy potty training, we advise using pee pee pads so that your puppy knows where to go potty in your house. Simply place the pee pee pads on the floor in the same location in your home, take your puppy there, and say “go poddy” every time. Then, after your puppy has urinated, reward him or her with a treat, and your dog will have been trained in no time at all!
Figuring Out How Long You Can Leave a Dog Alone
Age is one of the most important factors to consider when thinking about how long you can leave a dog home alone while at work or having fun. According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
Dogs older than 6 months old shouldn’t be left alone for more than 4 hours at a time, if at all possible. The absolute maximum time they should be left alone if this is challenging is eight hours, but this is only advised if your dog has a way to go outside for a bathroom break. Depending on your dog’s age, breed, and personality, this time frame may change.
Some breeds of energetic dogs, like huskies or Australian shepherds, require a lot of exercise during the day, and leaving them alone for prolonged periods of time could result in a meltdown that seriously damages your home. Dogs with separation anxiety will require human interaction more frequently than calm dogs who can unwind until you get home from work. Consult your Wagly veterinarian for the best advice on how long to leave your dog alone.
How Often Should a Dog Pee?
Canines usually urinate three to five times per day, or every six to eight hours. In order to prevent indoor “accidents,” the majority of veterinarians advise taking your dog outside to urinate every six to eight hours. However, several factors could affect a dog’s peeing habits. Your dog’s frequency of urination will depend on a variety of factors, including diet, what your dog consumes, size, breed, and age.
Puppies tend to pee more often than full-grown dogs. This is due to their smaller urinary bladders’ limited capacity to store urine. In contrast, senior or older dogs may also need to urinate more frequently as a result of age (just like humans!) and certain health issues that affect older dogs. In addition, elements like hydration, breed, and physical activity can also affect how frequently a dog needs to go potty.
FAQ
How long can a dog stay without going out?
DON’T stay away too long. The majority of experts concur that adult dogs shouldn’t be left alone for longer than eight to ten hours, but some dogs, particularly those with small bladders, can’t endure that.
Can a dog hold their pee for 12 hours?
Despite the fact that a young dog can hold their poop for up to 10–12 hours if necessary, it doesn’t mean they should. The typical adult dog needs to be permitted to go potty at least 3-5 times each day. That’s at least once every 8 hours.
What happens if a dog holds his pee too long?
The practice of making your dog hold his or her pee for an extended period of time could be harmful to its health. Even though he might be physically capable of doing so, prolonged holding it in can result in urinary tract infections or urinary crystals and stones. The inability to urine can also lead to behavioral issues.
What happens if you don’t let your dog out?
They can explore their surroundings and become accustomed to new sounds, smells, and people by going for walks. If you don’t take your dog for walks, they won’t be able to learn to distinguish between different smells and they might not want to go anywhere new.