Does a Dog Prefer Lights On or Dimmed? ?

Question

Weird question, I know! I keep my dog baby gated in our laundry room while at work (PLEASE- I do not want to hear anyone criticize this. She is 5 pounds and the room is very posh. She gets spoiled when I am home and I HAVE to work.) But I am not sure if I should leave the light on all day in there on leave it dimmed, when it is dimmed the laundry room light is out but I leave the adjoining room light on. Does it matter?

Answer 1

It doesn't matter if you have a bright light or dim light.. as long as there is a source of light... It is clear you love her dearly, so you likely talk to her a lot and interact with her when you are home. She would really miss the human interaction during your absence and, although you can't talk to her when you are not at home, you can do the next best thing - leave a radio (or TV) on.. that way, she will hear people speaking and your home will not seem so empty and desolate to her during your absence. ..and leaving her a couple of toys for additional stimulation would be good too   ;-)

Answer 2

My puppy prefers to sleep on our bed during the day when it is too hot to play outside.  It happens to be dark on that side of the house.  So I would assume that your dog might be more settled down and sleep when it is dark, or in dim light.  It doesn't matter if you work or stay home, they sleep most of the day anyway.  

Answer 3

not really as long there is some sorta light coming in the room she/he will be fine dont 4get food and water thou...

Answer 4

My dog has to stay in the bathroom when nobody is there. since she only goes to one place and just sleeps when nobody plays with her, she doesnt care if the light is on or off. if i were a dog i'd want it off so i could sleep, but my dog makes no reaction, so i just do whatever.

Answer 5

I understand 100%.  My Shih Tzu has seizures and ANY time we are not home we have to gate the same way so he would not hurt himself during the rare seizure he still has even with meds.  That being said, my vet said most dogs like a dark place to retreat- you know, a "doggy den."  At first I put his carrier in the room and draped it with blankets so he could get out of the light when he wanted.  Finally, I had my husband cut the bottom of the closet door in the utility room off so he could get in and out if he wanted dark to sleep.  I can then leave the light on in the utility room.  Unless you have a SOLID wood door, most are inexpensive at home stores- maybe $30.  Unless your house is very old or very new and VERY high end, most all doors are hollow core these days.  We kept the original door and just bought one to cut off.  It's nicely painted and everyone that sees it thinks since I too spoil my dogs and cat that it's a custom door I have splurged on.  LOL

If you don't have a closet in there or don't want to go to that trouble AND you work days (when it would be light out anyway) then leave the light on.  If you have to leave him in there at night (when it would be dark anyway) then leave it off.  

It's wonderful that you care/ love your dog so much!!!