Originally Answered: If I die alone at home, how many hours or days will it be until my pet dog, cat or bird eats me? My father in-law passed a few years ago. He lived alone with two large dogs. He passed away on his bed which was more like a low cot so the dogs had easy access to him. The neighbors became concerned when the dogs were howling instead of barking. The local sheriff eventually broke down the door. He had been dead for about four days. The dogs were ravenous and severely dehydrated but they never touched their master.