Every year, Americans spend a whopping $9.5 billion on pet care services, according to the International Boarding and Pet Services Association. This category of pet spending, which includes pet sitting, grooming and walking, is also growing by the largest percentage — more than triple in recent years — and dog boarding costs in particular have followed the same trend.
“The world has changed so much,” explains Harrison Forbes, a dog trainer, animal behaviorist and bestselling author of “Dog Talk,” based in Nashville, Tennessee. “Twenty years ago, dog boarding cost $15 to $20 dollars a day, and that stayed pretty consistent for a long time. Now the average is between $40 to $60, but it really depends on the size of the market you’re in.”
Here, experts break down average dog boarding fees, how they are determined and what pet owners can expect from different facilities to help you pick the right overnight care for your pup.
Average price for dog boarding
Dog boarding is a service that provides housing and care for your dog at a facility while you are away for any period of time. It’s different from pet sitting, which occurs either in your own home or in another person’s home, and the price is different, too.
So how much does it cost to board a dog? It goes without saying that if the cost of living in your area is greater than the national average — think big cities — the cost of dog boarding will also be greater than average. But no matter where you live, dog boarding will cost less when a dog is getting less exercise and supervision during their stay, explains Karoline Brewer, International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) board member and president of AirPets International, a pet boarding facility in Dallas.
With this in mind, different types of dog boarding facilities have fees based on the services they provide. Here’s a look at the average cost of dog boarding per night and per week by facility, plus a closer look at what comes with the differing price tags, according to experts.
Average nightly and weekly cost to board a dog, by facility type
| Boarding facility | Average nightly rate | Average weekly rate |
| Traditional kennel | $40-$60 | $280-$420 |
| Veterinary boarding facility | $60-$75 | $420-$525 |
| Overnight dog daycare | $55-$160 | $385-$630 |
Common types of dog boarding facilities
Traditional kennel
Traditional kennels are usually the least expensive dog boarding option because there is typically no group interaction and minimal exercise, according to Brewer. You can expect three walks a day and feedings, and when it comes to where your pup is spending most of their time, enclosures may be crates or smaller areas where pups can play outdoors, she explains.
In traditional kennels, the average human-to-dog ratio is between 1:25 and 1:35, Brewer adds, which means your dog will be getting less individualized care and exposed to more potentially dangerous chaos. For example, if a facility puts 30 to 40 dogs in a room and has one attendant watching them, the price will be less; however, the risk of injury, illness and anxiety is far greater than if 10 dogs are in the same room, she says.
Veterinary boarding facility
Veterinary boarding facilities, or kennels housed at an animal hospital or veterinary clinic, also tend to be less expensive unless medical supervision is necessary, according to Brewer. These are typically modeled like traditional kennels — the pet will get less exercise, usually no group play and spend more time in their cage or crate.
Most vets do boarding as an add-on cost for patients at their medical practice, which helps make things more affordable. But keep in mind that this perk comes with a potential drawback: “Vet facility kenneling is usually set up to house animals recovering from surgical procedures so think [of] small confined spaces,” Forbes says. And just like when people visit hospitals, the chances for a dog to get sick when boarding at a vet facility is also higher, he warns.
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Overnight dog daycare
Oftentimes referred to as “luxury boarding” these days, dog daycare facilities that offer overnight stays top the charts when it comes to dog boarding fees. Still, many pet owners — myself included — pay a pretty penny for these boarding options since so much of your dog’s experience can be tailored to their unique needs.
According to Brewer, the average human-to-dog ratio in a daycare boarding facility is closer to 1:10, which allows for more individual care, whether it be medical, physical or emotional, as well as more options for how your dog will fill their days. Think daily group play, enrichment and social activities, as well as pure pampering, which you can read more about below.
Factors that can increase dog boarding fees and what they’ll cost
“Old or young age, aggressive behavior, medication needs or special food would all make the cost of boarding increase,” explains Pam Nichols, a doctor of veterinary medicine and owner of Animal Care Daybreak, an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited animal hospital in South Jordan, Utah. Why? “It takes more highly trained and skilled staff to deal with all those situations,” she says.
Here’s a closer look at the average fees for these special situations, plus other factors that affect the cost of boarding your dog:
Your dog’s size
The bigger the dog, the more you’re going to pay for boarding since they require more space. Different facilities will charge differently, but it’s typically tiered by weight. For example, here’s a snapshot of how costs increase per dog size at Paws Country Club, a dog daycare and boarding facility located in New York City:
- $60 per night: Dogs up to 49 pounds
- $70 to $75 per night: Large breeds 50+ pounds
- $80 to $100 per night: Giant breeds 100+ pounds
Your dog’s temperament and energy level
Nightly dog boarding rates are higher for aggressive, reactive or high-stress dogs because they require more individualized care and attention. “An aggressive or difficult dog might be an extra $50 a day,” Nichols says. Similarly, more active dogs, like puppies, will require more attention so they will also tend to cost more to board than dogs who sleep all day, our experts note.
Health risks and medical needs
Despite having lower energy levels, older dogs will need more attention since they could be prone to health concerns, which is why facilities charge more for boarding seniors. This price will also increase if they require medications during their stay. “Medications administered are usually an extra $10 to $30 depending on the method of administration, injections or oral,” Nichols says.
Owning multiple dogs
Pet owners can typically get a discounted rate if two dogs from the same household share a space at a boarding facility, according to experts. On average, boarding suites for multiple dogs are about double the regular price, but this also varies by facility. At a traditional kennel or veterinary boarding facility, for example, dogs sharing a room may receive a $4 to $10 discount per animal. At a dog daycare facility, on the other hand, the second dog could be 50 percent off.
Personal pet owner (and need to pamper) preferences
Add-on services aimed to keep your pup entertained and happy are most commonly available in dog daycare facilities. These are all optional extra costs, but there are a few that the experts we spoke to agree are worth it.
One example are additional enrichment exercises, which include things like food puzzle toys and playing fetch. “These are extremely important for high-energy dogs that get bored easily,” Brewer says. Bathing and grooming add-on services, as well as puppy training are also convenient and necessary so these could also be worth the added cost.
As for the others? Well, as a dog owner who once paid an extra $11 a day so my dachshund could receive extra walks and a nightly Kong treat before bedtime while boarding over Christmas break, I may be slightly biased. Regardless, here’s a rundown of common add-on services (including the fun, yet frivolous ones) available out there, and what they tend to cost:
- Extra personal playtime: $8
- Gourmet doggie ice cream: $4
- Dog bath, varies by size: $20-$40
- Evian spring water: $4
- Gourmet treats: $4
Weighing the cost of dog boarding vs. dog sitting
When it comes to cost, the price of hiring a pet sitter is typically in line with dog boarding fees you’ll find at a dog daycare facility, according to Nichols. In her area of Utah, for example, overnight private sitter services cost a minimum of $100 for one to two pets, she says.
“If you are in the $75-per-night range when it comes to dog boarding, then you can likely have someone [care for your dog] in your own home and have them mimic their own routine for the same price,” Forbes says. As a dog behavior specialist, he often finds this to be the better option for most dogs. “The daycare aspect is great for dogs who need a lot of exercise,” he explains. “But that can’t be tied to breed or size. It’s more about your individual dog’s habits and how they respond to stressors and strange places, whether or not this would be the right fit.”
Similarly, Brewer highly recommends private care for reactive or anxious pets who prefer to be at home rather than in an active environment.
Nichols adds that if a dog lacked socialization as a puppy or is very old, she would likely suggest hiring a pet sitter rather than boarding. Still, she emphasizes that owners should feel confident in the care provided by boarding facilities.
“When you take your dog to a boarding or vet facility, it will be safe,” Nichols says. “They have usually made multiple precautions to ensure that the pet is safe from harm.” Relying on friends or family to care for your pet doesn’t come with the same assurance, she warns. Doors or fences can be left open accidentally, putting an animal at risk.
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The bottom line on the cost of dog boarding
The average cost of dog boarding in the United States is between $40 to $60 per night. But boarding fees vary greatly depending on the facility, employee training, animal management protocols and quality of care, explains Brewer. Your dog’s individual needs and characteristics can also increase the price of boarding fees per night since things like administering medications and extra play time require more individualized attention.
Debating paying for boarding or private pet sitter for your next trip? “I think what people really need to do first and foremost is an honest assessment of their own pet,” Forbes says. “The truth of the matter is your dog is going to do the best in their own environment and the impact of you being away on the pet will be much less with a sitter coming to your home 2-3 times per day.”
Overall, however, knowing your pet and their unique personality is the key to finding the right balance between affordability and the right level of care for your dog. “As long as it is clean, the type of facility you should choose should depend more on your dog,” Nichols says. “I like puppies to socialize so I would aim for daycare. An older solitary dog might prefer the relative calm of a vet or a kennel.” From there, be sure to visit the facility, meet the people working there and observe how they handle your dog before booking your stay.
