Do you think it is cruel to leave a dog in a cage while you are gone all day?

Question

I have a small apartment and I want to get a dog, but I'm gone most of the day, about 12 hours all together, allthough I do come home for about two hours in the middle of the day. Everyone says I should just get a dog and put it in the cage incase it has an accident while I am gone....do you think that would be cruel? I will be sure and take it out for walks three times a day still, and It wouldn't be in the cage at night.... but I still think that 12 hours is a long time for a dog to be put in a cage...what do you think??

Answer 1

Here! Here! My hand waving in the air!!

Yes, I do think it cruel and unfair to the dog to be in prison all day, for that many hours..It will lead to many pshycological issues, as well as UTI ..

In my area, doggy day care runs $10 per day..they have a lot of play time, and socialization..

Answer 2

12 hours a day is a long time to leave a dog crated, or even alone for that matter. Dogs usually don't go in their crates as it's where they sleep, tho there are exceptions to this too. Like if a dog is confined too much and just has to, sometimes they will and puppy mill produced dogs often do as it's how they are raised... in crates, never come out, have to sleep in their own droppings all the time.

Even if you can confine your dog to a room with a hard floor that won't be easily damaged like carpet will, the amount of time you are gone is a bit long to leave a dog all alone, even if you do come home for a couple hours each day.

If you do get one, maybe see if you have a friend or family member who can take your dog in while you have to be away. There's doggie daycares, but that's a bit expensive... so depends on your financial sitiation.

If you really just would be happy with a companion pet, a couple of nice cats would be better for your situation. If you get two, they will have each other to keep company when you are away at work and they don't need to go out like a dog/puppy will. I opted for cats until I had a less demanding schedule and a yard for a dog.

Answer 3

I struggled with this when I got my dog. Only, I was away a total of 9 hours a day, home for lunch. If you get a puppy, crating is the only thing you can do to protect your belongings, but 5-6 hours at home alone is too long. They need walked at least every 3. A full grown dog may be able to handle it better, especially after a routine is established. A shelter can help you find one that matches your needs. But there are more questions to consider than just your work schedule. How many nights/weekends are you away from home that you will maybe run home, walk the dog, and leave again. That is when it truly gets bad. If you are not a homebody when you are not working, with a work schedule like yours, I'd say wait a couple of years until things calm down, or get a cat. They can live relatively independently, and non-kenneled.

Answer 4

First off, your dog will not have an accident in a cage. It is where it 'sleeps'. Secondly, being gone for 12 hours a day isn't conducive to raising a well-behaved dog. However, because you come home for about two hours in the middle of the day, you probably could fit an adult dog easily into your life. I highly, HIGHLY, HIGHLY advise against a puppy. A puppy cannot be left alone all that time by itself. At that young stage it can easily develop abandonment and/or separation issues, and good luck dealing with those. I had a dog that suffered from that and it took me months and months of hard work and correction, training and rewards to break that.

But, as I said above, an adult dog would probably fit nicely into your life, but ONLY if you are going to devote those two hours to exercising, playing, training, and basically letting your little one know that he (or she) is the 'best little doggy in the building'!

Extra thought: I agree with Vida (see below). If you have an adult dog, it would be a good idea to simply use a baby gate and keep them in a non-carpeted room. That would make things much better. Keep water for your dog at all times. And the dog, if fully housebroken, should be able to hold its bladder for six hours, no problem, providing it went outside just prior to you leaving.

Answer 5

I would recommend contacting Rescue organizations in your area and seeing about getting a Senior dog. An older dog, in need of a home, who will be spending 16 hours a day sleeping anyways.

An older dog who will likely not need to be crated, as they will be housebroken and well beyond chewing stages. A dog who will happily snooze on the couch instead of requiring confinement.

By senior, in small dogs, this dog might be 8 years old, but will have a life expectancy of 15 years or so. A long time to have with the pet, longer than some people will have with a puppy giant breed dog whose life expectancy is only 7 or 8 years.

Just a suggestion!

Answer 6

Many dogs stay in a crate inside while their owners work. It's not cruel as long as the animal is getting attention and exercise once the owners are home. However 23 hours a day would be far too long. On a different note, dogs do not menstruate. They have a bi-annual heat cycle which involves some vaginal bleeding, but it is not the same as menstruation.

Answer 7

I'm not trying to be mean, but if you have to leave your dog in a cage for 12 hours a day, then you shouldn't get a dog. Wait until you're out of the apartment or just train it to not misbehave.

Answer 8

I think you have already answered your question at the end of your statement.
I agree with you it is way too long.
Dogs should only be put into crates as a means of transport to the vet or other for short periods only.
My husband works at the airport where many breeds of dogs come through from other ports in cages (some only 1 - 2 hours away) and they are severely stressed and some need a vets attention.
Give your dog away to a friend/relative so you can still enjoy
him/her. Get yourself another type pet eg. fish

Trust your instincts

Answer 9

Yes ; 12 hours is way too long . You could get a baby gate for about 10 dollars , and block off the kitchen for him . Keep his water & food nearby . But if you are gone that much , I'd wait on getting a dog right now . He'd be too lonely , and apt to bark a lot while you are gone if you bring him home right into that type of situation .

Answer 10

For once someone that thinks BEFORE they get a dog!!!!!! You are a blessing!!!!! I think 12 hours is a little to long to be in a cage. I would hold off getting a dog until I could spend more time with it.

Answer 11

12 HOURS IS TOO LONG FOR A DOG TO BE IN A CAGE. 6 - 8 HOURS IS THE MAX. IN MY OPINION. WHY DON'T YOU GO TO A SHELTER AND ADOPT AN ADULT DOG. YOU WILL STILL HAVE A FEW ACCIDENTS AT FIRST WHILE THE DOG ADJUSTS. A FRIEND OF MINE HAD 3 SPAYED GIRLS AND WANTED TO ADOPT A FIXED MALE. THE SHELTER LET HIM BRING THE DOG HOME FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AT A TIME ON HIS DAYS OFF FOR ABOUT A MONTH. THEY ALL LIVE HAPPILY TOGETHER NOW.