Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

How long can a dog stay in a crate during the day while I'm at work?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 1 year and 1 month old | 35 lbs

How long can a dog stay in a crate during the day when at work (AC, water, bed, comfort etc...)?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Emily, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 20th, 2017

As long as the temperature is normal inside and she has access to fresh water dogs can typically stay in a crate anywhere from 6 to 8 hours. Some dogs may be able to go longer, some dog shorter depending on their urinary bladder capacity. I usually don't recommend anything longer than eight hours in a crate at a time.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 9th, 2017

    It's fine to keep them in their crates during the day. It gives them a safe space of their own, and if they are comfortable with it, I would keep doing it. Coming home for 30 minutes is more than enough time to let them out to potty, play for a bit, and then go back into the kennels until you are done with work.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Can I crate my dog for 8 hours while I am at work?
I didn't see an age for your pet posted? If this is a puppy less than 8 months old this is potentially too long to crate them because most puppies can only hold their bladder for a few hours depending on their age. So having accidents in the crate is desensitizing them to sleeping where they urinate and defecate which can lead to problems house training your puppy. However if this is an adult dog over the age of 1 years old and there is a legitimate reason to crate (gets into things still in the house, raids the trash, etc), then crating him for this long is ok; however I would try to work on training your pet to be trusted more when you aren't at home. Crating for long periods of time, all the time, increases chances of obesity due to lack of activity, boredom, and isn't good for pets long term for their psyche and happiness. We typically only recommend crating puppies during their earlier months because it is for their safety and well being to remain out of trouble until they learn
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
We have 2 Cavachon puppies 4mns. We work up 10hr days Mon-Fri. And we are trying to potty train them, up at 5:30am outside, then feed them back outside before we leave for work. Feed them when we return n take them out afterward they play until bed t
They are adorable! At four months of age, 10 hours is too long for Coco and Chaz to stay in their crate. Their bladder isn't big enough to hold their urine that long, and they should be let out to potty every three to four hours. I would consider hiring someone to stop by at least once or twice a day to let them out to potty if you can't leave work to let them out. Dogs should be in crates no longer than eight hours, even if they are older. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I'm a late sleeper, and my dogs are young enough that I'm still more comfortable having them sleep in their crate. They don't fuss or have accidents or anything and seem to be sleeping in too. I just worry they're spending too much time in their crat
Good question! A dog should not be crated for longer than eight hours at a time, so you can wake up to let them out to potty and then go back to bed, or you could start having them sleep outside the crate. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How long is TOO along to keep my dog in his crate? I feel bad leaving him in there when I go to work and school
Some pets do you need to be crated for their own safety and for the safety of your home. Don’t feel bad about it but do make sure that he gets plenty of exercise every day and also attention. Exercise before putting him in the crate is best. Dogs will do fine in the crate 8 to 10 hours but shorter is better. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Our dogs destroy everything if left out so we crate them when gone and they dont mind. Now our work schedules will leave them alone 9 hrs a day. We moved their crates to the basement so they can play together and be free but they sit at the bottom of
It's fine to keep them in their crates during the day. It gives them a safe space of their own, and if they are comfortable with it, I would keep doing it. Coming home for 30 minutes is more than enough time to let them out to potty, play for a bit, and then go back into the kennels until you are done with work.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi can my new pup stay in a play crate for 6 hours a day everyday with a small morning walk In the morning and indoor potty arrangements. Thank you!
Great question! Six hours a day is too long for a puppy to be in a play crate. He really needs to be let outside to potty and for a walk every two to three hours at a young age. Once he is around six months of age, he can stay inside the play crate for up to six hours, and when he is fully grown, he can be there for eight hours but no more than 10 hours. I would arrange from someone to come over to your place once during this six hour period to let him out and play with him. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How many hours a day should my 8 week old puppy be in his crate? Do you have a brief schedule that I could follow for starting off?
Thanks for your question. There is no "right" amount of time for a dog to spend in the crate. A general rule we tend to follow is that puppies can go without a potty break for 1 hour for the age in months plus 1. So an 8 week old puppy is about 2 months, so if you add 1, that is 3 hours. During the day you really don't want to make Jasper wait much longer than this at a time, or he is likely to have accidents. Some puppies can hold it longer, and some more active puppies need to go more frequently. They can typically hold it much longer overnight while they are asleep. If you are crate training your puppy, I recommend they sleep in the crate at night, and some practice during the day is good. Occasional crating while you are home can be beneficial so they don't always assume crating means you are leaving. The length of time doesn't matter. Even 30 minutes is a good "practice" length of time. Then of course, keeping them in the crate when you are gone is the important part, so they stay
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
While I’m at work for 8 hours I like to leave nico crated I feel he’s safer and I believe he just sleeps all day. I just get nervous when he doesnt eat in the morning before I leave. Can I leave his food in his crate with him? I usually leave a shirt
I agree with you on the crating! You can leave food in the crate as long as it doesn't cause him to soil the area. Generally at Nico's age, he is comfortable holding it for 8 hours. Thank you for using Pet Coach!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
At what age should my puppy be able to go a full 8 hours in a crate without accidents?
With her age and size, she should be getting close. I would make sure to not put water in her crate and also make sure you aren't giving her water within an hour of having to put her in her crate. This give her time to process any water that she may drink. Also, make sure she isn't in too large of a crate. If it is too big they will pee/poop on one side and sleep on the other. Finally, if there are blankets in the crate, you may want to try taking them out. With blankets/towels, it soaks up their urine, so they don't feel the wetness of the urine like they normally would. If she continues, you may want to have your vet take a look at her urine to ensure she doesn't have an urinary tract infection which could make it hard for her to hold it that long. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I'm going on vacation the first week of March and I'll be unable to take my new puppy with me. He will be slightly over 8 weeks at the time. Is it more beneficial for me to let him stay with one of my friends while I'm gone and risk him feeling like
The general rule of thumb for crating is 1 hour for every month of age plus one. This means he can be crated a maximum of 3 hours at a time before needing to come out, go outside, etc. It would be best at his age for him to be with someone throughout the day instead of short visits during the day.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored