Is It Illegal to Leave a Dog Home Alone Overnight?



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Dogs are social animals. They need company for both their physical and emotional well-being. For domestic dogs, it is their human guardian who provides for their needs. You can meet their dietary, health and exercise requirements, but if you do not spend time with them, they will suffer. Some dogs will need more company than others, but no dog should be left alone for long periods of time. We may have a busy life and a hectic schedule, but our responsibility as care providers means we need to ensure we spend enough time with our canine companion.
This leads AnimalWised to ask is it illegal to leave a dog home alone overnight? In addition to any legal ramifications, we look at the impact doing so can have on the dog, as well as what we should do if we have to be out of the house for an extended period of time.
Is it cruel to leave a dog alone?
Most dog owners will need to leave the house for some reason during the day. Whether this is for work, school or any other important activity, we have other responsibilities which need to be met outside of the home. Once a dog has been integrated into the family and a suitable routine has been established, they should be able to tolerate certain periods of time on their own.
Each dog is an individual and their ability to spend time without company will vary. Some are more independent and will be able to tolerate longer periods alone without behavioral problems. Others are more insecure and more likely to experience separation anxiety, manifesting in behaviors which can be problematic. Why a dog is more or less anxious is due to various factors, such as genetic inheritance, socialization, trauma and the care they receive.
Regardless of their ability to tolerate periods of alone time, no dog will be able to tolerate being left alone for too long. Not only will they need to be fed and watered, they will want to go outside to explore and spend time with their beloved guardian.
Leaving a dog alone for long periods of time is cruel. It causes the dog to become insecure since they do not know when their next meal will be or when they can have the interaction they require. This is especially so if our schedules are erratic. Dogs crave routine, so being inconsistent with our interactions can lead to them feeling anxious. They may be very clingy when we are around and scared when we are not.
This does not mean we can never leave our dog alone. In fact, we must provide some occasions when a dog can be alone so they do not become overly attached. They need to understand that we will return and care for them, even if they are alone for a short time. Generally speaking, we should not leave a dog longer than 4-6 hours without company. Some can tolerate up to 8 hours with suitable care and training, but longer than this is not recommended.
Read our article on how long you can leave a dog alone to learn more.
Is it illegal to leave a dog home alone overnight?
While we have shared guidelines on leaving a dog on their own, they do not necessarily have any legal validity. In the United States of America, there is no federal law which will impose a punishment for leaving a dog home alone overnight. Some states or local jurisdictions may have different guidelines, but there are few laws which dictate a specific time which constitutes a crime if you leave a dog home along for an extended period.
This does not mean there are no legal ramifications if you leave your dog home alone. While it may not be illegal to leave a dog home alone overnight, it is illegal to neglect or abuse an animal. In this way, leaving a dog home alone for a long period may constitute abuse. This is the case if you don't provide for their needs, especially without food, water or exercise.
A dog left alone without any support may start to bark or carry out other behaviors which draw the attention of neighbors. This can lead to complaints which result in an animal welfare check. If the dog shows signs of abuse or neglect, it might be that authorities will penalize the owner with a fine or even jail time in extreme cases. Similarly, penalties may be incurred if the conditions in which the dog is found are unsanitary or unsafe.

What happens if I leave my dog home alone overnight?
As we have already stated, each dog is different. How an individual will respond to being left alone overnight will vary, but it is important to know it will eventually lead to insecurity. Dogs that spend too much time alone will likely develop behavioral problems as a result of this insecurity. This is influenced by the stress, frustration and boredom which occurs when their needs are neglected and they are unable to carry out their natural healthy behaviors.
Dogs that are left alone overnight or for even longer periods may experience:
- Stereotypies
- Destructiveness
- Incessant barking
- Inadequate elimination of urine and/or feces
- Depression
- Self-harm due to excessive licking or biting
These behaviors will eventually lead to physical health problems. When a dog is not allowed sufficient opportunities to exercise, they will not be able to burn off energy or develop other problems associated with sedentary behaviors. Stress in dogs can also lead to physical health problems. Loss of apetite or malnutrition can lead to a weakened organism, making them more vulnerable to disease.
A puppy will need extra attention, especially if they are only recently separated from their mother. When we adopt a puppy into the home, we can only leave them alone for short periods. The general rule is one hour for every month after the age of three months. This means a 4-month-old puppy may be ok if left alone for up to 4 hours. This is an important period of their socialization, so we need to be extra careful with the care of puppies.
If we decide to adopt a dog, we need to ensure we are able to meet their needs. If we have to be away from home for long periods of time, then we may simply be unsuited to being a dog guardian. We need to be around to provide the proper training, care, attention and affection.
Learn what is the right age to adopt a puppy to know how to best ensure their well-being.
How to report a dog being left alone at home
If you think a dog is being neglected, then there are certain recourses you can use to ensure their well-being. We may be alerted to possible neglect by seeing that a neighbor has not been home for some time, but there is a dog barking loudly. We may also see incidents of abuse which might require intervention from the authorities.
When abuse or neglect is suspected, you should search for your local animal control agency. They will be able to register your report and determine whether there is need for a visit. If there is an instance of abuse where the dog appears to be in imminent danger, you can contact the police by calling 911.
Depending on the case, the animal may be removed and the appropriate legal action taken. In addition, there may be options for filing complaints for animal abuse online or through mobile applications.
Learn more about the signs of an abused dog which might signal to us that they are being neglected.

Tips for leaving a dog alone at home
As we have said, it is legal to leave a dog alone at home for a few hours without causing any harm. If we are going to be away for a long time or we have to be away due to an emergency, we should try to have someone come to the home to care for them. This is usually preferable over taking the dog to another person's home since the dog may feel more comfortable on home territory. If we are leaving the dog home alone overnight, we need someone to come check on them, at the very least.
If we know were are going to be away for an extended period of time, we may need to board them in a kennel. While this can be traumatic for some dogs, a good kennel will be able to provide the right care so they feel as comfortable as possible until you return.
For those of us going away for a short time such as for work or study, there are some guidelines you should follow:
- Cover your pet's needs completely before you go out. Ensure they are fed and give them some exercise so they will be more rested at home.
- Provide enough fresh, clean water so that it doesn't run out before we return.
- Make sure the water bowl cannot tip over.
- Leave toys and accessories that keep the dog entertained when home alone, such as a Kong toy or a puzzle feeder.
- Check the safety of the environment to ensure they do not have access to any potential hazards, such as trash, plants, cables, cleaning products, etc.
- Use a GPS dog tracker to ensure your dog is at home and not somewhere they shouldn't be.
- Install a home monitoring system with a camera so you can see what your dog is up to. Some may even have a speaker so you can talk to them and provide reassurance when you are not around.
Some dogs find it calming to have the TV, radio or music on in the background. While some enjoy being able to look out of a window, others may become nervous due to traffic noise or other stimuli from the street. We must observe our dog to choose the best for them. In addition, it is a good idea to leave a contact phone number or even a spare set of keys with a trusted neighbor in case of any unforeseen events.
Finally, if your dog has to spend certain periods of time home alone, ensure you make up for it when you return. Play with them, take them for walks and give them plenty of affection. This will help reduce their insecurity and make it easier the next time you have to leave.
Dogs generally want company, so you may want to check out our related guide if your dog wants to be alone all of a sudden.

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