Five crucial signs you should never ignore if you leave your dog home alone | UK | News
This is a dog’s life (Image:-)
As dog owners become increasingly concerned about the amount of time they spend away from their beloved pets, the question “can I leave my dog alone?” The number of online searches on the topic increased by over 6,000 last month. According to new Glimpse search trend data, more and more owners are looking for guidance on how long is actually a long time to leave a dog at home. The data also shows that searches for this term increased by 14% compared to the previous month; This shows that the issue is becoming an increasing concern for people trying to balance work, social plans and time away from home with the joy of owning a dog.
Although dogs don’t understand time like humans, animal behavior experts have concluded that they do and can certainly be affected by how long they are left alone. According to Alyssa Ralph, dog behavior and nutritionist for fresh dog food brand Years, the question is “How many hours is too long?” not. “Can your dog handle being left alone for that long?”
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How long should owners go out? (Image: Getty Images/Image Source)
So how long is it actually OK?
Close-up front view of Golden Retriver puppy (Image: Getty Images)
“There is no one trick that works for every dog,” says Alyssa. “Age, breed, health, routine and past experience all play a role, but there are general rules that owners need to know.”
The general rule for healthy adult dogs is that they can be left alone for up to four hours, although this extends to six hours which is manageable but not ideal.
However, increasing this time beyond six hours (for example, when not at work) can lead to stress, boredom and behavioral problems.
“For puppies, older dogs, or dogs with separation anxiety, even a few minutes can feel overwhelming,” adds Alyssa.
Why do dogs struggle with longer absences?
Dogs don’t count hours. Instead, they react to changes in their environment and their bodies.
“When a dog is left alone for longer periods of time, many things occur at once,” Alyssa explains. “Your smell disappears, hunger or the need to go to the toilet increases, the house becomes quieter or more disturbing sounds may be heard outside the house, and social interaction may be absent. Over time, this combination can trigger stress rather than simple boredom.”
Cockapoo is waiting for his owners to return home (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
This is why some dogs seem fine when left alone for a short time, but become destructive, vocal or withdrawn when left alone for long periods of time.
Post-pandemic routines have made the problem worse. “Many dogs have adjusted to constant companionship during quarantine,” adds Alyssa. “We’re now seeing more anxiety as owners return to offices or spend longer days outside. Dogs aren’t ‘naughty,’ they’re struggling with uncertainty.”
Five common symptoms of dogs being left alone for too long are:
Portrait of a cheerful blonde woman spending time with her pet dog at home. Woman carrying her pet dog (Image: Getty Images)
Excessive barking or howling
Chewing on doors, scratching, damaging furniture or items
Appetite changes, such as rejection of food or treats.
According to Alyssa Ralph, preparation is more important than time.
“If you need to leave your dog alone for longer periods of time, focus on mental stimulation, predictable routines, and gradual alone training before leaving him,” she says. “Spending quality time with you before you leave, leaving calmly and making sure all their needs are met will help dogs feel safer.”
He adds that long daily absences without stimulation or breaks can negatively impact both behavior and well-being over time.
“We can easily get caught up in how long we leave our dog alone,” says Alyssa. “The goal is not to count the hours, but to ensure that your dog feels safe, appropriately stimulated and supported while you are away.”
