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How long is too long for my dog to be in a crate overnight?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 10 months and 20 days old | 15.6 lbs

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 crate. How long is too long for them to be in there at night?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 21st, 2018

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!

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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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!
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How long can a dog stay in a crate during the day when at work (AC, water, bed, comfort etc...)?
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Can I crate my dog for 8 hours while I am at work?
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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?
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At what age should my puppy be able to go a full 8 hours in a crate without accidents?
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I put my 6 month old dog in his crate at 9/10PM which is when he has his last pee of the night then he gets me up at around 6 and I let him out then. I saw that a 6 month old puppy should only be able to hold his bladder for around 6 hours so is it b
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Hello- I got my standard poodle last week (today he is 9 weeks old!) I have been crate training. His crate is located in my living, I have a small one story ranch style house. I have been trying not to let him out during the night and not letting hi
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