How much does it cost to board a dog?

If you have a dog and an upcoming trip – or another reason that you need support when it comes to looking after your dog for a certain amount of time — you may be looking into boarding your dog overnight. While dog boarding isn’t the only option – for instance, you can hire an at-home dog sitter or drop off your dog with friends or family – it may be an option you want to consider at some point in your life as a pet owner.

But, like with many things involved with caring for pets, boarding your dog isn’t free. Let’s break down the ins and outs of dog boarding, including how much it may cost you depending on the type of pet boarding you select.

What’s a pet boarding service?

A pet boarding service is a facility that takes care of pets when their owners are unable to for whatever reason.

There are several types of pet boarding services available, including:

• Dog daycares (which provide overnight boarding)
• Dog hotels
• Home boarding (in the pet caregiver’s home)
• Veterinary offices (which provide overnight boarding)
• Pet sitting (in pet-owner's home)
• Dog kennels

What does dog boarding cost

Depending on where you choose to board your dog and where you live, you can expect to pay very different prices to board your dog overnight. For instance, having your dog stay in a fancy dog hotel that offers pet massages and gourmet food may have a very different per night cost than a kennel that provides much simpler services.

Here are some of the different types of dog boarding options, the services they may offer, and what you can expect price wise from each.

Dog kennel

A kennel is typically one of the cheaper dog boarding options since these environments tend to only provide basic pet care. These facilities will usually take your dog on walks, provide food and hydration, and have some limited interaction with your pet. However, your pet will likely be sharing quarters with other people’s pets and not have access to very specialized amenities.

Dog hotel

A dog hotel is usually one of the more expensive dog boarding options. In addition to providing essential services, some dog hotels offer luxury amenities such as grooming services and specialized attention (for example, dog yoga, individually planned meals, and one-on-one playtime with staff). Some will even provide luxury bedding for your pet! The range of dog hotels is fairly vast, so expect some to be simpler while others will emphasize their luxury offerings.

Doggy daycare

Some doggy daycares that take care of owners’ pets during the day may also offer boarding options to clients. This option may be cheaper than a dog hotel as this option usually involves housing multiple pets together. Most will provide full-time staff to watch peoples’ pets.  

Veterinary clinic

If your dog has specific health needs or you’d feel more comfortable boarding it under the supervision of a veterinary professional, there are veterinary clinics where you can leave it overnight. Prices to board your dog at a veterinary clinic will vary dramatically, particularly depending on your dog’s needs, including if you opt for any healthcare add-ons.

In-home dog sitter

Finally, you may consider an in-home dog sitter whose prices will differ based on the individual sitter’s hourly rate. You can find in-home dog sitters through sites that match dog sitters with clients or locally via word of mouth in your community. Sometimes dog-sitters will be willing to trade dog-sitting services for temporary free housing, too.

Common FAQs about the cost of boarding a dog

Why are some types of dog boarding more expensive than others?

If you’re new to dog boarding, you may wonder why certain boarding types are more expensive than others. A lot of it comes down to the dog boarding option’s services. A dog kennel, for instance, may just provide necessities such as food, water, and shelter. In contrast, a dog hotel may provide these necessities and additional services such as grooming and luxury services for your furry friend. Finding the right option for you and your dog will involve assessing your budget and your needed services.

Is hiring an at-home dog sitter cheaper than dropping my dog off at a facility?

In some cases, you may find that hiring an at-home dog sitter is more expensive than leaving your dog at a facility overnight. In other cases, it may be cheaper. There are some situations, for instance, when you may find that people are willing to trade pet sitting for a free or reduced-priced place to stay. In these cases, a pet sitter might be the more budget-friendly option. In other instances, pet-sitters may have expensive hourly rates to stay in your home and watch your dog, as they may offer personalized services for your dog’s unique needs. In these instances, a pet sitter may be more expensive than boarding your dog out of your home.

Are there options if I can’t afford to board my dog?

If you find that your budget doesn’t have room in it to board your dog, you may want to consider some of the free or more budget-friendly options below if you find yourself needing this service:

• Ask a trusted loved one to care for your dog.
• See if any of your neighbors are open to caring for your dog for a free or reduced price.
• Set up a pet-sitting exchange with a friend where you watch their pets when needed, and they watch your pets when needed.
• Look for financial assistance that non-profits including pet food banks may offer.
• Look for a non-profit that may provide pet boarding for free, depending on your situation.
• Reach out to animal shelters or other rescue organizations that may be able to offer temporary support.
• Look for pet foster care programs in which volunteers temporarily take care of pets.

Are there non-profits where I can board my dog for free?

Some non-profits offer free boarding to pets, including dogs, to support pet owners who may be undergoing medical issues or are serving in the military, among other reasons. Three non-profits that provide services to board dogs for free include:

Columbus Humane (Hilliard, Ohio): Columbus Humane is a non-profit offering free housing, food, and veterinary care for animals. Pet owners must meet their eligibility requirements.

Dogs Matter (Dallas, Texas): This non-profit provides free temporary foster care placement for animals for pet owners in need.

Dogs on Deployment (National): This national non-profit provides military service members with a network of volunteers who may be able to board animals for free during their deployment.

Many more non-profits offer these services across the country. Check in your local area to find options that you be able to take advantage of.

Final thoughts

Like any loved one, your furry friend likely means a lot to you. Before you rush into choosing any overnight boarding facility or sitter for your dog, do your due diligence to find the right option. You may want to keep a running list for yourself while you do this of your dog’s unique needs, how you want them to be cared for, and your budget as you decide on the right dog boarding choice.