Cage

How long is too long to keep a dog in a cage?

My cousin leaves his 1 and a half year old lab home alone in a cage for 10ish hours while he goes to school and then straight to work. I don't think this is fair to the dog. I don't have a dog and don't know if this is an okay thing to do..? What's your opinion? He plays with the dog and walks the dog when he gets home, and he has weekends off so it's only during the week. When I tried to tell him I thought it was wrong for the dog to stay in the cage that long, he got all mad and told me that lots of people do it. I don't know how to get him to see my side.

Public Comments

1. I think over 4 or 5 hours is wrong. I sure know that I wouldn't like it..so why would I put my dog through it? If I'm going to be away for an extended period - even though my dog has free roam and a fenced yard, I have a pet sitter that comes over for $12.
2. My dog spends about 8 hours in his kennel during the work/school day. 10 hours seems tolerable.
3. No, 10 hours is too long to keep a dog in a kennel. Especially on a regular basis. My dog is in his kennel two or three times a week between 4-6 hours each time. Even this amount of time is a little much, but I don't have any other choice. He gets walks on the days I leave him in a kennel and the other days he goes to a doggie daycare.
4. For more than 2 hours is bad because its like if you are stuck in a bathroom sized room for hours with not room, no food, no restroom.
5. that is animal abuse !!!! it should only be in a cage for a maximum of 3 hours if it has been nauthy !!
6. I would say 7-8 hours is OK, as long as it isn't every day. If it is only once or twice a week, I believe it is fine. 10 hours, no, definatly not.
7. Some people keep their dogs in a cage for over 8 hours when they are at work. I don't think it's cool to do that..I think they should be let out at least every 3-4 hours.. At least every 1-2 hours for puppies.
8. No longer than 4 or 5 hours during the day. It would be better if he was left in a kennel - like a run inside his house or something. It would be even better if you could build a half in - half out kennel, coming out of the back or side door leading to his backyard. If you offer to help your cousin build this, it would be perfect. Then, you can leave out food and they have automatic water as well as food dispensers. There is also a machine that'll pop out a Kong toy full of treats to keep him occopied for a while, then after about two or three hours (you set the timer) it'll shoot out another one. If he can't do something like this, he may just not be able to handle a dog, especially an energetic young lab, right now. He may even give it to you.
9. 10 hours is way to long. Our dog isn't even in a crate 10 hours during the night! And we have a Lab. I would say 4-5 hours maximum. Dogs need to be let out during the day to run around and play. Does he not eat for 10 hours? Any exercise? When your cousin gets home does he play with the dog? That is way to long.
10. the dog might actually enjoy it butt defiNATILY NOT IN THE WINTER THE DOG CAN CATCH PNEUMONIA so dogs love free open spaces depending on the dog it most likely needs that much exercise
11. FOUR HOURS TOPS!!! Then someone (even if he has to hire someone) needs to come and let it out to run and play for at least 1/2 hour. It is not fair to keep a dog in a cage ALL DAY LONG. The dog is 1-1/2 years old and if it was properly house trained, it should be able to have more room than just a crate. By this age the dog should be trained well enough to: not go potty in the house, not eat the furniture, not mess things up. If the dog can't do this, your Cousin hasn't spent enough time training the animal. NO, IT'S NOT OKAY! Here, ask your Cuz this: How would he like to be closed up in the trunk of a car and driven around for 10 straight hours without a break everyday???
12. I wouldn't crate a dog for more than about 4 hours at a time, and then only until it is house-trained and past the destructo-puppy stage. That dog really needs to be walked once in the middle of the day.
13. 10 hours is way to long. What is he in jail. Your cousin should pick a designated part of the house and let the dog stay there. They have fence guards that you can put up in your house that will keep him in this part of the house and he will at least have space to run around in and stretch his legs.
14. Wow, if I had to hold my pee 10 hours a day, every day I would get a urinary tract infection. My puppy stays her crate while I am work, but I go home at lunch for an hour and play with her and feed her. 10 hours in crate, 5 days a week is not healthy for the dog's mind or urinary system. If he had a break in there it would not be so bad, but he should not be leaving him in there like that. Maybe he could find someone to go to his house once a day to let the dog out to pee, poop, and eat. Could you do this or see if one of his friends could?