There is no specific amount of time that a cat or dog requires.  Both types of pets really enjoy being with their people and should be left alone only a minimal amount of time.   If you work full-time, you need to schedule time before you leave for work and after you come home to spend time caring, loving and playing with your pet.  Some pets require extra time – such as puppies needing training and plenty of play and active dogs requiring a good deal of exercise and mental stimulation.

Many pet owners enjoy having 2 or more cats at a time to keep them company while you are gone.  This is true about dogs too, though sometimes it is harder to train 2 dogs at once.   For many people, it is better to get one dog and then another.  Or, if they are both adults and already get along, this is a perfect way to have 2 dogs already trained together.

Having time to train your pet consistently is important.  Remember, behaviors that seem cute and funny while the pet is a puppy or kitten, might not be so cute or safe when the pet grows up.   Consistency is the key, and time and patience are essential to the training process.  If you don’t have enough time, adopting an older pet that is already trained will minimize the amount required by you.  However, pets can begin exhibiting behavior problems at any time.   A dog may develop a barking problem or a cat may stop using the litter box.  It’s important that you have time to figure out the cause of the problem and begin fixing it.   Working through a behavioral problem usually takes more time that we may wish, but with consistency and patience, and the guidance of a professional, most problems can be worked out.