Dog Boarding Cost in 2026: Kennels, Sitters and Daycare

Dog boarding cost by type

Where your dog stays makes the biggest difference to the price. A basic run at a kennel is the cheapest overnight option. Suites, webcams and pools push the nightly rate up fast.

Sources: Care.com, Aug 2026 (kennel, vet, daycare); Dogster, Oct 2026 (dog hotel); HomeGuide, Jun 2025 (sitters). *Weekly figures marked with an asterisk are our calculation (nightly rate times 7).

Prices also vary by region and by dog. One New York facility cited by Care.com charges $60 a night for dogs under 49 lbs and $80 to $100 for giant breeds over 100 lbs.

Daycare and longer stays

If you only need care during the workday, daycare costs much less than overnight boarding.

Sources: Dogster, Oct 2026 (full-day daycare, monthly kennel); HomeGuide, Jun 2025 (all other rows).

Rover’s 2026 survey found dog owners spend $210 to $375 a year on care services such as walking, daycare and training, and more than $900 in higher-cost cities.

Extra fees to ask about

The nightly rate is rarely the whole bill. These add-ons are common:

• Medication: $10 to $30 extra, depending on how it is given (Care.com).
• Special handling: about $50 extra a day for dogs that are aggressive or difficult (Care.com). HomeGuide lists special-needs care at about $45 a day.
• Bath before pickup: $20 to $40 depending on size (Care.com), or $15 to about $50 for grooming (HomeGuide).
• Extra playtime: about $8 in one example from Care.com.
• Webcam access, extra walks or certain breeds: Dogster says some facilities charge for these, so ask for a full price list.

Holidays are the busiest time for kennels. None of our sources listed a standard holiday surcharge, so ask about peak-date pricing and book early.

What a week away costs

Here is what seven nights of care would cost one medium dog, using the ranges above.

Our calculation, based on Care.com, Dogster and HomeGuide rates. The $20 a day for extras is an example, not a quoted figure.

If you are driving instead of flying, bringing your dog along may cost less than boarding. Our road trip cost calculator can help you compare.

Kennel, sitter or daycare: which fits?

Price is only one part of the choice. Each option suits a different kind of dog and trip.

• Traditional kennel. The most predictable option, with staff on site and set feeding and play times. At $40 to $60 a night, it is a solid middle ground for social, healthy dogs.
• Veterinary boarding. At $60 to $75 a night, it costs more, but it makes sense for older dogs or dogs on medication, since medical staff are close by. HomeGuide notes that some vet clinics charge as little as $35 to $45 a night for healthy dogs.
• Dog hotel. Private suites, webcams and pools push prices to $75 to $150 a night. You are paying mostly for comfort and extras.
• In-home sitter. Your dog stays in a home setting with fewer other animals. It can be the cheapest overnight option when the sitter hosts, or one of the priciest when they stay at your house.
• Daycare only. If you are away for the day rather than overnight, $25 to $45 a day covers supervised play and saves the cost of an overnight stay.

Why boarding costs more than it used to

Boarding prices have climbed a long way. Care.com reports that dog boarding cost about $15 to $20 a day roughly 20 years ago, compared with $40 to $60 a night now. Pet care services are also a big business: the International Boarding and Pet Services Association, cited by Care.com, puts US spending on pet care services such as boarding, sitting, grooming and walking at about $9.5 billion a year.

Before you book, visit the facility if you can, ask how many dogs share a play area, and get the full price in writing, including any fees for medication, baths or late pickup.

How to pay less

1. Ask about multi-dog discounts. Care.com says kennels and vet facilities may take $4 to $10 off per extra dog, and some daycares give 50% off a second dog. HomeGuide reports discounts of 10% to 50% for multiple dogs or long stays.
2. Buy a package. HomeGuide lists 10-day packages at $175 to $250, which works out to $17.50 to $25 a day (our calculation).
3. Use a sitter for one easy dog. Boarding in a sitter’s home is often the lowest-cost overnight option.
4. Keep vaccines current. Kennels often ask for proof of vaccines, so book any needed shots ahead of time to avoid a rushed vet visit.
5. Book early for holidays. Popular kennels fill up, and the cheapest options go first.

Boarding is one of several costs that add up over a dog’s life. See the full yearly budget in our guide to the cost of owning a dog, and if you are weighing a cat instead, compare the cost of owning a cat.

See how we research every number on our method page, or browse more pet costs.