How Long Can a Dog Stay in a Crate? Day, Night and Puppies

Most adult dogs shouldn’t be crated for more than about 4 to 5 hours during the day, and puppies need shorter stretches that grow with their age. According to Humane World for Animals, adult dogs shouldn’t be left in a crate for more than 4 to 5 hours during the day, and puppies under 6 months shouldn’t stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time. The same guidance warns that a dog crated all day and all night doesn’t get enough exercise or human contact and may become depressed or anxious. Nights are different from days, and no source we used gives a maximum number of hours for an adult dog overnight.

Crate time limits at a glance

The numbers below come from different sources and measure slightly different things. Humane World gives limits for time in a crate. The American Kennel Club (AKC) gives limits for time home alone, which is not the same as time in a crate. Treat the lower number as your ceiling if you’re unsure.

Dog	Guideline	What it measures	Source
Adult dog, daytime	No more than 4 to 5 hours	Time in a crate	Humane World for Animals
Adult dog	Not much longer than 6 to 8 hours	Time home alone	AKC
Puppy under 6 months	No more than 3 to 4 hours at a time	Time in a crate	Humane World for Animals
Puppy, general rule	Age in months plus one hour	Time in a crate	Humane World for Animals
Puppy under 10 weeks	1 hour	Time home alone	AKC
Puppy at 5 months and 6 months	5 hours and 6 hours	Time home alone	AKC

Adult dogs during the day

For crate time specifically, the 4 to 5 hour daytime guideline from Humane World is the most direct number available. The AKC gives a longer figure, but it is about being home alone, and says even adult dogs shouldn’t be home alone for much longer than six to eight hours. That is a ceiling for being alone, not a target for crate time.

Individual dogs differ. Senior dogs, dogs with health conditions and dogs that need to go out more often may need shorter stretches, so ask your veterinarian what is reasonable for yours. A good rule of thumb is to crate for the shortest time that fits your day, and to plan real exercise, play and attention outside the crate.

Puppies

Humane World’s rule is that a puppy shouldn’t be crated longer than their age in months plus one hour, with a firm cap of three or four hours at a time for puppies under 6 months. Those two rules can disagree. A 5-month-old puppy would get 6 hours from the formula, but the under-6-months cap says 3 to 4, so the lower number is the safer choice.

The AKC’s home-alone table starts at 1 hour for puppies under 10 weeks, reaches 5 hours at 5 months and 6 hours at 6 months. The AKC also notes that from about 3 months old, puppies can typically hold their bladder for roughly one hour per month of age. Very young puppies need more frequent breaks. PetMD says puppies under 8 weeks need to go out at least every hour, with the gaps growing as they age, and suggests asking your veterinarian how long your own puppy can stay in the crate.

If you’re setting up for a new puppy, our dog crate size guide explains how to pick a crate that fits now and as your puppy grows.

Overnight crating

Sleeping hours are not the same as awake hours, which is why the daytime limits above don’t map neatly onto the night. No source we used gives a maximum number of overnight hours for an adult dog, so we won’t offer one. What the sources do agree on is that puppies usually need a trip outside during the night.

PetMD notes that crying in the middle of the night often means a puppy needs to go out, while crying right after being put in the crate is more often anxiety. It also suggests keeping the crate in your bedroom at night so you can hear your puppy and so your scent helps them feel less isolated. Our guide to where to put a dog crate covers placement options for both day and night.

If you work long hours

If your workday is longer than the crate guidelines, the crate alone isn’t the answer. VCA Animal Hospitals states that extended periods of confinement are not healthy for animals, and that dogs need daily social interaction plus physical and mental exercise. Practical ways to cover the gap include:

Coming home at midday, or asking a friend, neighbor or pet sitter to let your dog out and play.
Walking and playing with your dog right before you leave and right after you return.
Using a larger, dog-safe space instead of a crate for part of the day.

VCA lists an exercise pen or play yard, or a baby gate that opens up a whole dog-proofed room, as alternatives to a crate. Our dog crate vs playpen comparison helps you decide which setup suits your home and your dog.

Water, comfort and safety in the crate

Before crating, the AKC advises meeting your dog’s potty and exercise needs first. It also says to take your dog’s collar off whenever they’re in the crate, for safety, and to provide water in the crate as well. It adds that you should never crate a dog longer than they’re comfortable or can hold their bladder.

Beyond that, a few practical points help:

Choose a crate your dog can stand up and turn around in comfortably. The crate size guide linked above explains how to measure.
Add a bed or mat your dog can lie on comfortably.
Decide whether a cover helps your dog settle. We cover that in should you cover a dog crate.
Never use the crate as punishment.

Signs a dog is crated too long or stressed

The AKC lists pacing, trembling, scratching or chewing at the door, prolonged howling or barking and drooling as signs of stress. It also points out that older dogs may have achy joints or arthritis, so long stretches in a crate can be physically uncomfortable for them.

If your dog drools, vocalizes constantly, tries to escape or can’t settle, VCA recommends checking with your veterinarian. It also suggests using a camera to watch the first few times your dog is alone. A dog that panics in the crate may need help from a veterinarian or a qualified trainer or behaviorist rather than a longer or shorter crate schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a dog stay in a crate during the day?

Humane World for Animals gives a general guideline of no more than 4 to 5 hours for an adult dog during the day. The AKC says adult dogs shouldn’t be home alone for much longer than 6 to 8 hours, but that figure is about being alone, not about being crated. If in doubt, choose the shorter limit and ask your veterinarian, especially for senior dogs or dogs with health issues.

How long can a puppy stay in a crate?

Humane World says puppies under 6 months shouldn’t be crated more than three or four hours at a time. Its general rule is the puppy’s age in months plus one hour. Very young puppies need much more frequent breaks, and your veterinarian can advise on the right schedule for your puppy.

How long can a dog stay in a crate at night?

None of the sources we used give a maximum number of hours for an adult dog overnight, so we don’t offer one. Puppies usually need to go out during the night, and keeping the crate in your bedroom helps you hear them. Ask your veterinarian about your own dog’s needs.

Can a dog be in a crate while I’m at work?

Only if the time away fits within the guidelines above, which most full workdays do not. Arrange a midday break, and consider an exercise pen or a dog-proofed room for part of the day. VCA warns that extended confinement is not healthy for animals. If you go the pen route, see our best dog playpens.

Should a dog have water in the crate?

The AKC says to provide water in the crate. Take your dog’s collar off while they’re crated, as the AKC also advises for safety.

Sources

About the author

Best Pet Supplies Guide

Best Pet Supplies Guide publishes research-based buying guides, size guides and care how-tos for dog, cat and pet home supplies, using manufacturer specifications and guidance from reputable pet-care organizations.