Inside Dogs

Question
I have a 10 year old dog who is house trained. I am moving and will live far enough away from work that I will not be able to go home over the lunch hour to let her out. Is it okay to leave a dog indoors for 8 hours during the day? I know she wouldn't go to the bathroom in the house, but don't want it to be unhealthy for her.

Thank you!

Jennifer Henry

Answer
Hi Jennifer.
I am not sure what you mean by unhealthy.
If you mean her holding herself for that long, you might put dopwn some newspapers or get some potty mats from the petstore, and put one in the laundry room, or somewhere it is ok for her to go.
Maybe even a box of sand she could go in, and you could sift out when you get home.
Just being indoors insead of outdoors is not unhealthy, what with the polutants we have in the air, it is safer in most homes than (supposed to be) fresh air.
All my dogs are indoor dogs, and they have a doggy door, but especially in cold or hot weather, they spend much more time indoors than they do outdoors, and my dogs always live longer than the normal life span for their breeds.
Charlotte