Cage

How long is it ok to leave a dog in a cage while at work or whatever?

I have friends who leave their dogs in a cage all day while at work, which is about 12 hrs., but they also went out of town and left them there longer, maybe about 19 or 20 hrs. They left water and food in there, but just wondering how long is too long?

Public Comments

1. Anything over 8 hours during the day is too long.
2. That is SO wrong why even have a dog?Maybe someone should put them in a cage
3. 12 hours is way too long.. 19-20 hours is abuse and neglect and they should be thrown in jail for doing that ! I hope someone calls AC and has them charged for leaving a dog caged that long.. Boarding kennels aren't expensive.. Tell them to wise up and pay the money to board the dog or find it a new home
4. It sounds like a long time :-S But it also depends on how big the cage is, and how big the dogs are. If it's a cage where they have room to move around a fair bit, it would be considered alright, but if the cage is only just bigger than the dogs themselves, it would be cruel to have them in there for hours. If you're concerned that they're being cruelly treated, you should call the RSPCA, they can usually come out and inspect the conditions and make sure the dogs aren't being treated badly.
5. How long would you be OK with being left in a cage.
6. And why have they got a dog????? You should never leave a dog longer than 4 hours a day anyway. If that was my friend i would off taken the dog away by now. Please tell your friend that is animal cruelty.
7. Leaving your dogs in their kennel while at work is fine. But nobody i mean nobody should leave a dog locked in its kennel 19 or 20 hours. Thats just wrong.
8. we use cages for criminals!for the dogs sake I hope the cage is roomy.8to 10 hrs.
9. That is by far too long, and from the structure of your question, I assume you agree. They should not be crated more than absolutely necessary and young dogs should be let out every few hours to relieve themselves. Anything over 8 hours is considered abuse (the occasional unexpected delay happens but this shouldn't be a regular thing). If you have to cage the animal for as long as 19 or 20 hours a day, you shouldn't have it. It isn't getting the exercise it needs nor the ability to relieve itself regularly. There is also a difference between crating the dog and caging the dog. Crates are just big enough for the dog to turn around and is a good way to teach the dog to hold relieving itself. A cage if typically outdoor or at least partially outdoor and can consist of a "run" to allow the dog outdoor access to relieve itself (think pound). The cage would also be large enough for a bed and room for the dog to walk on the floor (not the bed) without having to trip over other items in the kennel. No matter which form of restraint they are using, the dog is being confined for to long, and this being the case, isn't getting the simulation, exercise or socialization it needs to be a good canine citizen--they need to change their ways, or re-home the dog.
10. Easy, it's the dog's age plus one. For example, if the dog is 3 months old, you should not leave the dog for longer than 4 hours inside cage. And also, do NOT leave food and water for the dog to "self-serve" It can lead to obesity, or illness because the food is not fresh.
11. Why do they even have dogs?????? What's wrong with a doghouse in the backyard??
12. I think crates have become massively overused - and used wrongly - by people who don't really know what they are doing. Crates are useful to help with housetraining in the early days, and provide a safe place for the dog to be when you don't want him under your feet. Introduced and used correctly, the crate should be like your dogs "den". It is a place where he shuold be happy to go, and feel secure when he is in there. BUT - crating is a short term solution! It is NOT appropriate to confine a dog for long periods. Personally I would say anything more than a couple of hours is too long (except perhaps overnight when the dog is sleeping anyway). Crating a dog for a working day is nothing short of abuse. He can not move around properly or stretch his legs. There is nothing he can do. And if he does need to urinate or defecate he will be forced to sit in for hours. It would be like building a cage around a childs bed, or keeping a guinea pig in a small shoebox. So, in answer to your question.... Generally (although there are some exceptions) no dog should be left alone for more than about 4 hours a day. A dog should certainly not be crated for 12 hours. Leaving a dog alone - especially crated - for almost a full day is probably worthy of neglect. If it happens again I would report it asap.
13. A dog needs to exercise and go pee, so do not leave the dog in his crate more than 12 hours DAILY. And make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and a daily walk. Leaving food in a small confined space will only encourage the dog to poop, as when a dog eats, he poops! Free feeding is not healthy for so many reasons!
14. I agree with most of the others. 12 hours is too long and 19 or 20 hours is definitely too long. I crate my dog 8 hours a day while I am at work and then again at night. I really hate doing the night thing, but I can't trust him in the house at night while I sleep. Now, on the weekend he really enjoys the freedom he has throughout the day, but he does spend alot of time laying around. But they should ask a vet to be sure. Most of us here are just speaking from an un-educated place. Your friends really can't be too happy with having a dog if they never really interact with them, as it seems.