Having a dog means having a schedule. You arrange working hours, trips and errands based on when you can get home. If you're like many of us, sometimes you skip a night out because you feel guilty for leaving your dog home alone. Dogs enjoy the company of people, but that doesn't mean leaving them at home alone isn't good. Read on to learn how long you can leave a dog at home.
Consider the bladder
The first question most people ask about leaving their dog alone is:How long can my dog go without going to the bathroom? According to experts, dogs generally need to urinate three to five times a day. But the timing varies from dog to dog, and puppies and seniors need more frequent walks.
How long can a dog "hold it in" before it needs to? Here are general time limits for dogs at different stages of life:
* Puppies:One hour per every month he is old (so a three month old puppy can wait three hours to urinate).
* Adult dogs older than one year:maximum eight hours, but ideally no more than six.
* Senior dogs eight years and older:depending on size and health, anywhere from two to six hours.
Of course, the above estimates depend on a dog's size, health, and habits. But any dog forced to hold their urine for too long is at risk of urinary tract infection, bladder and/or urinary stones. Plus, holding urine for too long is just uncomfortable and can lead to accidents at home.
For safety and comfort, try to walk the dog every four to six hours. Standard work days are eight to 10 hours long, so if you can't go home at lunchtime to take the dog outside, hire a dog walking service.
