I’m seeing so many sits where the pet can’t be left for any more than 3hrs or so, yet on the post asking for a sitter they say they are close to theatres, restaurants, maybe a 30 minutes drive to several castles etc! But how can they expect you to have time to be able to visit these places if you ca…

[image] august: Hmm, when a host states in black and white that a cat cannot be left alone for more than six hours, I do not take it as an invitation for further discussion. I take it as a fact, that the cat cannot be left alone for more than six hours, and move on. Likewise, hosts looking for …

What @august is saying is correct. If a listing states “can be left for up to 6 hours” that doesn’t invite discussion for further negotiation. THS need another box that says 6 hours+ or/and Hours Alone TBD on the listing. As for lengths of time to be left alone, dogs 5ish hours if you ask a vet (we’…

[image] Mark_B: what is the ideal length of time that you’d like to leave a pet unaccompanied? There is no such thing for me as an ‘ideal length of time.’ It is very rare that I leave cats alone for more than six hours, and never dogs. I simply do not understand the logic behind it all. On o…

I have seen many listings recently where dogs cannot be left alone for 2 hours. Owners are just taking the opportunity of using this option as I think they can now see this as acceptable. I arranged a sitting a few months ago before this feature was available and the owner stated in her pet instru…

[image] Mark_B: These options are there to offer clarity where possible I really don’t see how publishing wrong information helps clarity. I know you’re only the messenger but since you’re volunteering explanations, perhaps you could explain what reasoning is behind what, to me, is a ridicul…

[image] Newpetlover: Owners are not allowed to post that their pets can be let alone for longer that 6 hours, even if it’s just fish or a tortoise. Hi @Newpetlover Check out this post where you’ll see all the options that can be selected when determining how long a pet can be left alone (inc…

I have now. It seems when we wrote our first posts neither of us was aware of this. [image] Mark_B: [image] august: aren’t there any options exceeding six hours? That’s right. Still, this doesn’t explain why the genius who has designed the changes thinks the time a pet can be left al…

Hello. Just to add my 2 cents, among the many dogs I’ve loved was one with terrible separation anxiety that cost me a fortune in doggy daycare fees. And such anxiety among dogs — and “owners” — has obviously gotten so much worse since Covid and with people working from home. Am I imagining a time b…

I remember that time well @RichardNYC and dogs were just fine! Nowadays, I think it’s more the “pet parents” who have separation anxiety!!

The dynamic has shifted, before they were not allowed in the house, now they are allowed on bed. If they are that easy to look after, many pet owners would just drop their pets at a friend’s or family member’s house, or ask a neighbour to get into their house to feed if it’s a cat. They wouldn’t in…

Pets that can't be left for long

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat

Mark_B 26 January 2026 11:56 57

Hi @Newpetlover

Check out this post where you’ll see all the options that can be selected when determining how long a pet can be left alone (including “more than 6 hours”)

Thanks,

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Pets that can't be left for long

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