How Much Does It Cost To Board A Dog?
How Much Does It Cost To Board A Dog?
The average cost to board a dog is $40 per night, with rates ranging from $25 to $85. Doggy daycare costs about $25 per day or $15 for a half-day, while luxury overnight pet hotels charge $75+ a night.
$25 – $85 Per Night
The average cost to board a dog is $40 per night, with rates ranging from $25 to $85. Doggy daycare costs about $25 per day or $15 for a half-day, while luxury overnight pet hotels charge $75+ a night.
Dog Boarding Cost
The average cost charged by dog boarding kennels is $30 to $50 per night with most pet owners spending $40. Weekly boarding rates start at $150, while monthly prices cost $500 on average. The best boarding option for your dog will depend mainly on what’s available in your area and your personal preferences.
| National Average Cost | $40 |
| Minimum Cost | $25 |
| Maximum Cost | $85 |
| Average Range | $30 to $50 |
It happens to the best of us—we have to go out of town, and there’s no one to look after the dog. A dog boarding service within your budget with trained staff that cater to your pet’s needs can be found within a matter of minutes on HomeGuide. Here's everything you need to know about pet boarding prices.
Average Dog Boarding Rates
Average dog boarding rates are $25 per day, $40 per night, $150 per week, or $500 per month, depending on where you live, the size of your dog, and how long of a stay your pet needs.
Many boarding kennels offer special rates for 5-, 10- and 25-day stays and have discounts up to 50% when boarding multiple dogs.
| Length | Average Cost | Luxury Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per Day | $18 – $30 | $80 – $85 |
| Per Night | $25 – $55 | $55 – $100 |
| Per 5 days | $100 – $135 | $375 – $475 |
| Per Week | $140 – $175 | $525 – $675 |
| Per month | $460 – $720 | $950 – $2,600 |
Dog Boarding Cost Per Day
The average cost to board a dog by day is $18 to $30, or about $15 for a 4-hour half-day. You drop your dog off in the morning, and he gets to play with other dogs his size, with a quiet time in his own kennel over the lunch period.
Most dog boarding kennels require you to pick up your pet by 6 p.m. or you’ll be charged an additional fee. If you don’t show up on time, some places lock the doors at 6 p.m. and charge you for having to board your dog for the night.
Dog Boarding Cost Per Night
The cost to board a dog overnight is about $40, but prices range from $25 to $55+, depending on the size of the room you want your dog to sleep in. Some dog boarding kennels charge $55 to $100 per night for the luxury of having a raised bed and a TV and DVD player with theme-based décor.
Cost of Boarding a Dog for a Week
Average dog boarding rates run about $140 to $175 per week for the typical kennel, with luxury dog hotels charging between $525 and $675. The rates to board a dog for a week go up with different choices in “suite” sizes and amenities.
Cost to Board A Dog for a Month
Monthly dog boarding rates are $460 to $720 in a kennel or $950 to $2,600 in a luxury dog hotel, plus extra costs for whatever additional services you wish your dog to have. Long-term doggy daycare packages cost $2,000 to $3,000 for 6 months.
Dog Boarding Rates For Multiple Dogs
Many dog owners need to board multiple dogs, or need dog boarding for more than one night. For this reason, you’ll find dog boarding kennels offering discounted rates of 10% to 50% off for each additional dog or for boarding for more than one night. Discounts are especially common for smaller dogs that can share a room or crate.
Dog Boarding Prices for Package Deals
Dog boarding kennels usually offer discounted rates for 5-, 10- and 25-day packages:
5-day packages cost $100 to $200
10-day packages cost $175 to $250
25-day packages cost $375 to $650
Monthly rates are $550/regular rate to $950/luxury rate.
Packages are an excellent investment for dog owners who are frequently traveling for work or have a long vacation coming up soon.
Dog Boarding Prices By Type
Dog Kennel Prices
Dog kennel rates cost $25 to $55 per night on average. A dog kennel is a traditional boarding facility that includes meals, water, daily walks, playtime, and a personal crate with bedding to sleep inside.
Dog Hotel Prices
Luxury dog boarding hotels cost between $75 and $95 per night which include spa services, large dog “suites,” a swimming pool, online webcams, gourmet food, and large outdoor play areas. Other dog boarding kennels may offer these upgrades for an additional $15 to $20 per night. For example, Sparta Pet Palazzo offers these amenities on a per night basis:
10 x 7 room with leather loveseat and TV – $75
16 x 13 room with a private bed, webcam, and TV – $85
20 x 20 room with webcam, leather sofa, and TV – $95
How Much Does Doggy Daycare Cost?
Doggy daycare costs about $18 to $30 per day or $15 to $16 for a 4-hour half day. Long-term doggy daycare packages cost $2,000 to $3,000 for 6 months and $5,000 to $6,000 for a year. Instead of leaving your dog at home while you work or go shopping, consider doggy daycare.
In-Home Dog Boarding Cost
In-home boarding is another solution whereby your dog stays with a dog sitter in the sitter’s home until you’re back. Sitters are typically background checked, and prices range from $15 to $50 per day or night depending on the experience and qualifications of the dog sitter.
In-home boarding can give you the comfort of knowing your dog is being loved and has a comfortable home to stay in rather than living with strangers and sleeping in a locked dog or kennel alone every night. Many sitters register with the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters or Pet Sitters International.
Dog Sitting Cost
Pet sitting is another option where professionals will watch your dog at your home for you for $70 per night for one dog, and only $5 more if you have two dogs. Dog visits are an option for dogs who are safe to leave home alone as long as someone checks in on them every four hours or so for a bathroom break and some cuddles. Dog sitting costs about $25 per 30-minute visit.
While in-home dog care might feel uncomfortable to some because of giving a stranger access to your home, having someone stop by can be much less intimidating for the dog than having to stay in a crate or small room overnight elsewhere. Some house-sitting services exchange dog sitting services for being able to stay in your home for the duration, like Trusted House Sitters.
Hospital & Vet Boarding Costs
Dog boarding rates at a hospital or animal clinic don’t seem to be much different to boarding a dog anywhere else, costing about $35 to $45 a night if the dog has no medical problems, and $40 to $55 if s/he has medical issues or needs to be isolated because of behavioral issues.
Many animal hospitals, infirmaries, and veterinarians will offer boarding services as well, though the price tends to be a bit higher since that same space could be used for a sick pet. However, many dog owners feel more comfortable keeping their dog under the supervision of trained, experienced animal hospital or veterinary clinic staff.
Before boarding your dog at a veterinarian's office, ask if there will be staff onsite during the night. Some vet offices offer overnight boarding space but don't keep staff onsite 24/7.
Additional Dog Boarding Fees
Dog Boarding and Training Cost
Dog boarding and training costs $1,600 for a four-week block or $500 to $1,000 per week. Dogs learn how to perform basic obedience tasks like walking without pulling, and the commands sit, stay, come, drop, etc.
Boarding and Grooming or Pet Spa
Sometimes you can drop your dog off for a few days and also get all their grooming done at the same time. Dog grooming prices start at $15 up to a full groom for around $50. Services include shampooing, nail clipping, and anal gland expression. Many dog boarding kennels provide add-on services—some are complimentary and included in the boarding price, while others offer them for an additional cost.
Special Needs Doggie Day Care
Some dog boarding kennels will offer specialized care for dogs who are nonsocial or need extra medical care while boarding which can cost $45/day and $55/night.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does PetSmart charge for boarding?
PetSmart dog boarding rates vary by location but typically run $30 to $55 per night, depending on the room type and the factors mentioned above. PetSmart often offers discounts, such as one night free if you need a multi-night stay. However, be sure to check online reviews for this service.
How Much Does It Cost to Board a Dog for 5 Days?
Dog boarding kennels charge about $100 to $125 to board your dog at a 5-day rate. Dog daycare is included for free in most boarding packages, and you can pay more for extra play or cuddle time.
How Do I Prepare My Dog For Boarding?
When preparing to take your dog to the kennel, remember to:
Be up to date on their vaccinations. Vaccinations need to be given no less than seven days before boarding.
Write a list of any special instructions you may have for your kennel regarding feeding times, portions for food, medical needs, your local vet's phone number, and where you can be reached.
Bag up each serving size of your dog’s food and label it with your dog’s name for the length of their stay.
Pack your dog's leashes.
Make sure your dog has a name tag.
Label medications with your dog’s name.
Drop your dog off in the morning so s/he can become accustomed to the other dogs boarding with him.
Don't forget to pack your dog's favorite toys. An old t-shirt that smells like you can also make for a great cuddle toy!
What Vaccinations Do Dogs Need For Boarding?
Dogs need proof of vaccination for Distemper, Parvo, and Bordetella (kennel cough) annually and Rabies every 1-3 years. Puppies must be ten days past their final round of distemper/parvo vaccination before kennels will accept them for boarding. Vaccinations need to be given no less than seven days before boarding. If this is the dog's first Bordetella vaccination, it must be given two weeks before boarding.
How Long Before Boarding Does Dog Need a Bordetella Shot?
In general, puppies can receive injectable Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines between 6 and 8 weeks of age and booster shots when they're 10 to 12 weeks old. Adult dogs generally need booster vaccines for Bordetella in intervals of six months to a year. If this is the dog's first Bordetella vaccination, it must be given two weeks before boarding.
How Old Does a Dog Have to be for Boarding?
For all breeds of dogs, most certified dog kennels require the dog to be at least 4 months old (12 to 16 weeks) old because incoming puppies need to have had their first round of adult shots at 12 weeks, followed by the second round at around 16 weeks.
What is the Difference Between Dog Sitting and Boarding?
The difference between dog sitting and boarding is the length of stay and attention of care. Dog boarding is like a hotel, where it's typically an overnight stay at a kennel where your dog is around other dogs. On the other hand, a dog sitter will watch your pet at your home, or theirs. Also, they may just stop by to care for your pets two or three times per day.
While in-home dog care might feel uncomfortable to some because of giving a stranger access to your home, having someone stop by can be much less intimidating for the dog than having to stay in a crate or small room overnight with other dogs around. If you are one of those dog owners who would rather your dog be in his or her own home while you are out of town, you may want to check out local dog sitters near you.