Leaving your pets at home can be a worrying part of being an owner. Every dog will be different, and even the most well-adjusted dogs may become distressed if they are left home alone for too long.

The younger the dog, the better, as you can start training early. Make sure your dog has a safe area with a comfortable bed. Crate training is great as your dog is safe in the crate and they are already used to being locked away and on their own.

Here are some general recommendations for how long you can leave your dog home alone, based on age:

What can happen when your dog is left home alone?

For some dogs, being left home alone might be no big deal. For others, it may lead to one or more of the following distressing behaviours, which might indicate that your dog is bored, anxious or stressed out by being home alone.

• Scratching

• Biting

• Chewing on furniture and clothes

• Binge eating

• Getting lost

• Whining, howling, and barking

• Urination

You can get pet cameras to watch your animals when you are away. This can make you feel a bit at ease.

The younger you start of your pet being left alone at home, the less chance of separation anxiety.

If this article has raised any concerns about your pet’s behaviour, and you are a client at Coquet Vets, don’t hesitate to call us on 01665 252250.