Pet Advice?

prettypistol

I have a five year old dog and a 13 year old cat. They both have been raised indoors and have not been exposed to the outdoors (except for the dog who occasionally using the backyard to go to the bathroom). I used to work 8 hrs at my old job - now that I have a new job where I work non-traditional work hours and I am gone for about 12 hrs a day (4x a week). Unfortunately when I am at work, they have started to have 'accidents' which is a real bummer and nuisance - not to mention health hazard - to come home to after a long day of work. I realize these are my animals - I care for them and they are my responsibility.
My question is - Is it cruel to put my 13 year old (de-clawed and indoor) cat outside while I am at work? The only other options I see are giving her away or heaven forbid putting her down. The other is my dog is rather co-dependent and might not cope with this change.

What other solutions can you suggest for my situation? Embarassed

Please only answers from animal lovers!!!

clareabella

Have you tried a litter tray for your cat? In regards to your dog, you could get a dog flap so he can come in and out as he pleases Wink

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prettypistol

prettypistol

VJH

Erm to be blunt you try not going to the toilet for 12 hours see how you feel Twisted Evil

I think you need to reassess your caring for particularly your dog - get a pet sitter or walker in 12 hours is too long to leave a dog.
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Vicky, Daisy and Ruby xx
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poppydog83

I would hope there are people going in to see to your pets and you werent going to leave them for 12hrs? As has been said before 12hrs is too long to leave your pets. Unfortunately with my job i can either be in and out all day,or i can end up doing 12hr shifts. When im doing my 12hr shifts my OH comes home from work at lunch time to spend time with the dogs and let them out etc...Our dogs are never left alone longer than 6hrs at the most,which i know is still quite a long time. They are very good and never (touch wood and fingers crossed) have had an accident when they are left.

wilderreptiles

If you can't get home within the 12 hours you should see if a trusted neighbour could pop round just to let them out and give them some company. If your animals are acustom to someone being their you should leave the TV or radio on. But you should really not leave them for that long! and I do not see how you can blame the animals and even consider putting them down when they have done nothing wrong only natural behaviour.

shadylady

maybe you could get a cat run for your cat, this is kinda like an aviary which allows your cat outside access but it cant get into sticky situations, for eg cat fights etc...

but to be honest with you i wouldnt have taken the job knowing i had other prior arrangements for eg pets as its not fair on them, its not there fault they cant get out to go the toilet and are either scared to go...

i also suggest a pet sitter as your bound to be getting paid more now.

i hope you sort this out soon as your pets need care and if anything happens while your out, for eg, one of your pets has a fit, or your cat or dog eat a piosonous substance.. how you gonna know until you get back which might be too late..
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herbiedog

Wow 12 hours is a long time to leave any animal. Sad

Do you really never walk your dog? think how bored he/she must be put yourself in it's place would you like to be stuck indoors all the time no wonder they both have little accidents. Embarassed

I agree a dogwalker is a really good idea Smile