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These are planning estimates, not a universal price list. A kennel with scheduled potty breaks is a different service from daycare boarding, veterinary care, or a private suite.
Dog boarding prices at a glance
The figures below are useful for budgeting a U.S. trip. Research sources use different facility categories and methods, so the numbers are not directly interchangeable.
| Boarding type | Planning range or benchmark | Seven-night example | Usually best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic or traditional kennel | About $30–$60 per night; higher in expensive markets | About $210–$420 | Healthy, adaptable dogs that do not need constant individual attention |
| Daycare-plus-boarding | Often about $55–$80 per night | About $385–$560 | Social, energetic dogs that enjoy supervised group play |
| Veterinary boarding | About $60 per night as a national benchmark; published rates vary | About $420 | Dogs needing medication, observation, or proximity to veterinary care |
| Luxury pet hotel or resort | About $102 per night on average; some published rates exceed $100 | About $714 | Owners seeking private space, enrichment, or premium amenities |
| In-home boarding | Commonly about $45–$90 per night in consumer cost guidance | About $315–$630 | Dogs that prefer a residential setting or fewer dogs |
| House sitting | Often about $25–$45 per night in consumer guidance | About $175–$315 | Dogs that are calmer at home or need a familiar routine |
CareCredit’s 2025 U.S. study reported average nightly benchmarks of $42 for basic boarding, $47 for mid-level boarding, $60 for veterinary boarding, and $102 for luxury boarding, with a broader range of about $33–$185. See CareCredit’s pet-boarding cost study for its methodology and category breakdown.
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Other datasets differ. Goose’s 2025 analysis of publicly listed basic boarding rates found a U.S. average of $44.99 and median of $42; its state examples ranged from $31.24 in Mississippi to $62.47 in Washington, D.C. Its sample excluded some in-home providers and bundled or hourly pricing. Goose’s research explains its method. Kennel Index reported a $51 average and $48 median in its March 2026 database, which combined U.S. and Canadian facilities and used each facility’s cheapest listed standard-dog rate. Kennel Index explains its methodology.
What counts as dog boarding?
Dog boarding is overnight care while you are away. It can take place in a commercial kennel, a daycare center that houses dogs overnight, a veterinary hospital, a private sitter’s home, or your own home with an overnight house sitter.
Daycare usually ends the same day; boarding includes overnight accommodation. Some facilities sell a combined daycare-and-boarding package, while others charge separately for daytime play. Rover’s overview of dog boarding describes the main service models.
Dog boarding costs by type
Traditional kennel: roughly $30–$60 per night
A traditional kennel generally provides a run, crate, or individual enclosure, scheduled feeding, cleaning, potty breaks, and some exercise. Extra walks or private play may cost more. Ask how many outings are included, whether exercise is individual or in a group, and how long your dog spends in its enclosure.
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Daycare-plus-boarding: often $55–$80 per night
This model combines daytime supervised play with an overnight crate, room, or suite. Dogtopia of Rock Hill, for example, lists boarding that includes a full-day daycare component and offers a separate suite upgrade. Other locations advertise roughly eight to ten hours of supervised open play, but schedules and prices vary. Examples include Houston West Alabama and Webster/NASA.
This can suit social dogs that already enjoy group play. It may not suit a fearful, reactive, elderly, or medically fragile dog; more activity is not automatically better care.
Veterinary boarding: about $60 per night as a benchmark
Veterinary boarding takes place at a veterinary hospital or clinic and may offer medication administration, health observation, and easier access to medical staff. CareCredit’s benchmark is about $60 per night; individual facilities may publish rates from roughly $35 to $65 or more.
Veterinary boarding does not automatically mean a veterinarian is physically present all night. Ask whether a veterinarian or veterinary technician is on-site overnight, what happens after hours, and which emergency hospital handles problems.
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Luxury pet hotel or resort: about $100 or more per night
Luxury boarding may include private suites, larger accommodations, webcams, one-on-one play, enrichment, spa services, or premium staffing. CareCredit’s study reported an average of about $102 per night, with rates reaching approximately $185 in its broad study.
A luxury rate buys more space or amenities, not necessarily a better match for every dog. A reactive dog may prefer a quiet standard kennel with private turnout over a resort built around group play.
In-home boarding: commonly $45–$90 per night
With in-home boarding, the dog stays at a sitter’s residence. Confirm how many other animals live there, whether dogs are ever left alone, how the sitter handles emergencies, and whether the provider has appropriate insurance and any license required locally.
Rover’s expert guidance notes that in-home boarding can suit senior dogs or dogs that cannot safely socialize, while licensing and insurance may vary among private providers. Verify the individual sitter’s arrangements. See Rover’s boarding cost comparison.
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House sitting: often priced by the sitter, not the kennel
A house sitter stays in your home, so your dog keeps familiar surroundings and routine. Ask whether the sitter remains overnight, how long the dog may be left alone, and what backup is available if the sitter becomes ill or has a travel problem.
Board-and-train: usually a package of about $1,500–$4,000
Board-and-train is a multi-week training program, not ordinary boarding with a few commands added. Rover cites approximately $1,500–$4,000 per stay in its service-type guidance. Evaluate the trainer’s methods, credentials, daily schedule, handoff process, and follow-up support separately from the lodging price.
What is normally included in the base price?
Most facilities include some version of secure overnight housing, feeding and water, potty breaks or outdoor time, routine observation and handling, cleaning, and a sleeping area. The exact package varies. Personal bedding may not be allowed, and food, exercise, and medication policies differ.
Rover describes food, care, shelter, activities, and possible socialization as typical components; CareCredit lists routine feeding and exercise among common services. Neither establishes a universal minimum package.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteFacility examples show why you need the exact daily schedule. Camp Bow Wow says its overnight rates include all-day open-play daycare, sleeping space, and hands-on care at its locations. The VCA Kennel Club Resort Spring 2026 price sheet lists two daily playtimes with classic accommodations, while its VIP room includes medication and a custom menu. A conventional kennel may instead include scheduled turns outside and charge separately for private exercise.
Hidden dog-boarding fees to ask about
Ask about every item below before paying a deposit:
- Late pickup or extended care: A partial day, daycare fee, or full additional night may apply.
- Early drop-off: Calendar-day billing may create an additional charge.
- Holiday or peak-season pricing: Holidays may bring higher rates, deposits, minimum stays, or stricter cancellation policies.
- Medication: Pills may be included or inexpensive; injections, insulin, eye or ear medication, refrigeration, and monitoring may cost more.
- Private walks or play: Group play may be included while one-on-one exercise costs extra.
- Daycare upgrades and private suites: Confirm whether all-day play or a larger accommodation is included.
- Food: Facility-supplied food, raw-food handling, or separate meal preparation may cost extra.
- Grooming: Baths, nail trims, brushing, teeth cleaning, and ear cleaning are commonly separate.
- Dog size and second dogs: Large dogs may cost more; a second dog may receive a discount or nearly full-rate charge.
- Transportation: Pickup and drop-off may cost extra.
- Temperament evaluation or trial stay: Some facilities require a meet-and-greet or trial daycare.
- Emergency veterinary treatment: Check the contract’s authorization and payment process.
- Deposits, cancellations, and no-shows: Read the deadlines and holiday rules.
Published 2026 examples illustrate the spread: Creekside Pet Center lists medication at $3 per day and private playtime at $15. Creekside Kennels KC lists a $12 medication fee, $20 field-exercise sessions, and a full additional night for pickup after noon. Bow Wow Bed & Bath lists pills at $2.50 per administration and insulin injections at $15 per administration. These are examples, not national standards.
How pickup and billing rules change the total
“Per night” does not always mean one charge for every night your dog sleeps there. Facilities may bill by calendar day, use a checkout cutoff, or charge an additional day when pickup passes a stated time.
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- Creekside Kennels KC says pickup after noon is charged as a full additional night.
- Rover’s booking rules apply extended-care pricing when pickup is substantially later than drop-off: more than two additional hours and up to eight hours may cost 50% of the sitter’s nightly rate; more than eight hours may cost 100%.
- Rover also says a holiday rate may apply to the entire booking if any portion overlaps the platform’s holiday range.
Ask: “If I drop off Friday afternoon and pick up Friday morning, how many chargeable days is that—and what happens if my flight is delayed?”
For example, a $50 rate suggests $350 for seven nights. If late pickup adds one full day, the reservation becomes $400 before other fees.
Three sample seven-night boarding budgets
Basic boarding
$42 × 7 nights = $294, using CareCredit’s basic-boarding benchmark. Add medication, private exercise, grooming, holiday, or late-pickup fees if applicable.
Daycare boarding
$60 × 7 nights = $420. Confirm daycare is included rather than billed separately, and check for suite upgrades, second-dog pricing, holiday minimums, and grooming charges.
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Veterinary or luxury boarding
At CareCredit’s veterinary benchmark of $60 per night, seven nights cost $420. At its luxury benchmark of $102 per night, seven nights cost $714. Confirm whether medication, private space, play sessions, meals, and overnight monitoring are included. These are separate categories, not one combined “medical or luxury” price.
Current price examples: size, suites, and multiple dogs
Published rates show common pricing patterns:
- VCA Kennel Club Resort’s Spring 2026 sheet lists classic accommodations at $74 per calendar day for dogs weighing 1–60 pounds and $79 for dogs over 60 pounds. Its VIP room is $115 per day.
- The Fritz Kennel lists 2026 rates of $48 per night for dogs under 50 pounds, $50 for dogs weighing 51–100 pounds, and $53 for dogs over 100 pounds, plus a $5 discount for an additional dog.
- Dogtopia of Rock Hill lists a $15 nightly suite upgrade and a 10% second-dog discount.
- Creekside Kennels KC uses separate rates for one dog, two dogs, and each additional dog.
Weight-based and multi-dog pricing are common enough to ask about, but neither is universal. Get the price for your dog or dogs in writing.
What does a typical boarding day look like?
There is no universal schedule; the routine depends on the care model.
Traditional kennel routine
- Scheduled feeding and medication.
- A set number of potty breaks, walks, or outdoor turns.
- Rest in a kennel, run, or enclosure.
- Optional private play or exercise purchased separately.
- Usually less continuous human interaction than daycare-style boarding.
Daycare-plus-boarding routine
- Supervised group play during the day.
- Rest or nap periods.
- Feeding and medication breaks.
- Overnight sleeping in a crate, room, or suite.
Group care offers social activity but can mean more stimulation and exposure to contagious respiratory illness. Your dog should be comfortable with the facility’s play model.
Veterinary boarding routine
- Kennel or suite accommodation.
- Scheduled exercise and feeding.
- Medication administration or health observations under facility policy.
- Access to veterinary staff or a designated veterinary provider.
Confirm whether the medical team is physically present overnight. “Veterinary boarding” does not promise 24-hour supervision.
In-home routine
- A residential environment.
- Potentially fewer dogs and a more flexible schedule.
- Individualized attention depending on the sitter’s other responsibilities.
Is anyone present overnight?
Overnight boarding does not necessarily mean a person sleeps on-site. Facilities use different safety models:
- Camp Bow Wow describes monitored temperature, fire, and security systems that can notify nearby employees.
- Downtown Dogs says staff generally leave after 10 p.m. while the boarding room is monitored electronically.
- Canine Crews says it has no overnight staff but performs a final walk-through and uses alarms.
- Yardstick advertises staff on-site 24/7/365.
- Noble Pet Resort advertises a caregiver on-site at all times.
Ask these questions separately:
- Is anyone physically on-site overnight?
- Are dogs monitored with cameras, alarms, temperature sensors, or another system?
- Who responds to an overnight alarm?
- How quickly can the dog reach an emergency veterinarian?
- Is overnight staffing included in the posted rate?
Is boarding appropriate for every dog?
Suitability matters at least as much as price. Boarding may work well for a healthy adult dog comfortable away from home and unfamiliar handlers, especially if it has already done well with the facility’s group-play model.
Consider a quieter alternative or extra screening for dogs with severe separation anxiety, reactive or aggressive dogs, dogs unable to join group play, frail seniors, dogs with complex medical needs, dogs whose stress triggers health problems, puppies that do not meet vaccine requirements, or dogs with escape, resource-guarding, or handling concerns.
Rover’s expert guidance notes that traditional kennel environments may not suit anxious dogs and that in-home boarding may be better for some seniors or dogs that cannot be socialized. Dogs respond differently, so do not assume boarding will be stressful—or effortless—for every dog. Persistent appetite loss, diarrhea, lethargy, excessive barking, pacing, or major behavior changes after a stay warrant a conversation with the facility and, when appropriate, your veterinarian.
Senior dogs
Ask about non-slip flooring, lower-impact exercise, more frequent potty breaks, medication monitoring, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and how staff recognize pain, weakness, confusion, or appetite changes. A veterinary facility, private suite, or in-home setting may suit some older dogs better than open play.
Reactive or aggressive dogs
Ask whether the facility accepts dogs that cannot join group play. A suitable provider may offer private turnout, individual walks, separate entrances, and a plan for triggers. A daycare-centered facility may not be equipped for this care.
Puppies
Age and vaccination rules can limit options. PetSmart PetsHotel says dogs must be at least four months old for its services and lists vaccine timing requirements. Check the facility’s current policy.
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Intact dogs
Some facilities have age, spay/neuter, or behavior rules. Dogtopia of Houston Waugh, for example, references these considerations in its meet-and-greet evaluation. This is a location-specific policy, not a nationwide rule.
Vaccines, health records, and paperwork
There is no single national boarding-vaccine checklist. Requirements vary by facility, city, state, dog age, and whether the dog participates in group play.
Facilities commonly request records for rabies, distemper/parvovirus combination vaccination, and Bordetella. Some also ask for canine influenza vaccination, a fecal test, parasite-control confirmation, or a health certificate, as well as medical and behavioral history.
The CDC’s pet-boarding information form asks for vaccination, heartworm, medical, behavior, veterinary-contact, and microchip information. AAHA’s canine vaccination guidance distinguishes core vaccines from lifestyle- and risk-based vaccines and discusses Bordetella, canine parainfluenza, and canine influenza based partly on exposure risk.
Facility waiting periods differ. PetSmart PetsHotel prefers vaccination 10–14 days before check-in and lists Bordetella as required at least 48 hours beforehand. Zoetis says facilities may require Bordetella at least one week before boarding and that canine influenza vaccination may ideally be completed at least two weeks beforehand. Dogtopia of Springfield lists rabies, distemper, and Bordetella and strongly recommends canine influenza vaccination.
Vaccination can reduce risk but does not eliminate all respiratory illness. Bordetella is only one of several organisms associated with canine infectious respiratory disease, according to AAHA’s respiratory-vaccine guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to bring to boarding
- Your dog’s usual food and written feeding instructions, including treats and sensitivities.
- Medication in original labeled containers, a schedule, and your veterinarian’s contact information.
- Current vaccination records.
- Your emergency contact and authorized pickup information.
- A collar, leash, current identification tags, and updated microchip details.
- A familiar blanket, bed, or toy if the facility permits personal items.
- A brief behavior note covering triggers, escape risk, guarding, anxiety, handling sensitivities, and dog-to-dog compatibility.
The CDC form includes food amounts, medication instructions, vaccine dates, medical conditions, behavior concerns, veterinary contacts, and microchip details. The AKC’s boarding guidance recommends asking what the facility supplies and notes that familiar bedding or a favorite toy may help if allowed.
Medication: ask what “included” really means
“Medication administration available” may mean oral pills only. Ask whether the facility accepts pills, liquid medication, eye or ear medication, topical medication, injections or insulin, and refrigerated medication. Also ask what happens if your dog refuses a dose, vomits, or cannot be safely handled. Do not assume a facility can administer every medication because it boards dogs or is near a veterinary practice.
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Tour before booking
Ask whether you can see sleeping areas, play spaces, food preparation, and isolation areas. Look for clean floors and bowls, secure doors and fencing, reasonable noise levels, good ventilation, and no signs of overcrowding or poor maintenance. Ask about temperature control, fire alarms, backup power, and evacuation. The AKC and CareCredit recommend evaluating facilities and asking about sanitation, exercise, staffing, and emergency care.
Evaluate staffing and handling
- What is the staff-to-dog ratio during play?
- Are staff trained in canine first aid and medication administration?
- How much one-on-one attention does each dog receive?
- How are sick, injured, fearful, or aggressive dogs separated?
- Are dogs grouped by size, age, energy, and temperament?
- Does the facility use positive-reinforcement handling?
- Can it safely care for a dog that does not join group play?
Check licensing and insurance
Licensing, inspection, staffing, and vaccination rules depend on state and municipality. Pennsylvania requires kennel licenses and distinguishes among kennel types; Massachusetts requires commercial boarding and training kennels to hold licenses and maintain records. See state guidance for Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. These examples are not nationwide law. Ask the local animal-control or state agriculture authority what applies, and ask the business to show its current license and insurance when relevant.
Read the contract
Check emergency-treatment authorization; how the facility contacts you, your emergency contact, and veterinarian; who transports the dog and pays veterinary bills; liability for bites, illness, escape, or damage; cancellation, deposit, holiday, and late-pickup rules; abandonment procedures; photo and communication policies; and whether accommodations may change or the dog may be isolated.
A Dogtopia boarding form, for example, says medical-care costs incurred while a dog is boarding are the owner’s responsibility and due at departure. This is a facility-specific contract example, not a universal legal rule.
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How far ahead should you book?
Popular facilities can fill weeks or months ahead, especially around holidays. For a first-time boarder:
- Tour the facility.
- Review vaccine and health-record requirements.
- Ask for a written estimate that includes pickup and likely add-ons.
- Try a short daycare visit or trial night if appropriate.
- Confirm how your dog handles the facility’s exercise and group-play model.
- Book a longer stay only after the trial goes well.
Several Dogtopia locations require or recommend daycare before a first overnight stay, including South Elgin and Houston Waugh. Policies differ by location.
Questions to ask before you pay a deposit
- How many chargeable days will my drop-off and pickup times create?
- What exactly is included in the nightly rate?
- How many potty breaks, walks, or play sessions are included?
- Is daycare included, and is it mandatory?
- Is play individual, in a group, or both?
- Is anyone physically on-site overnight?
- How are dogs monitored after staff leave?
- What happens if my dog becomes sick, injured, or refuses food?
- Who transports the dog to an emergency veterinarian?
- Who authorizes and pays for emergency treatment?
- Can you administer my dog’s exact medication?
- What vaccines, tests, and waiting periods are required?
- Are there large-dog, puppy, intact-dog, second-dog, or holiday fees?
- What happens if my flight is delayed?
- What are the cancellation, deposit, and no-show rules?
- Can I tour the facility and see the sleeping area?
- Do you require a trial day, temperament test, or meet-and-greet?
Alternatives to commercial boarding
House sitting
Consider this when your dog is calmer at home, needs familiar surroundings, or has frequent medical routines. Vet the caregiver carefully.
Drop-in visits
Drop-ins may work for an independent adult dog that can safely remain alone between visits. They are a poor fit for a dog with severe separation anxiety, frequent medical needs, or a need for continuous supervision.
Friends or family
Provide written feeding and medication instructions, emergency authorization, veterinary contact information, and a backup caregiver.
Veterinary boarding
This can help with medical complexity, but confirm whether veterinary staff are physically present overnight and what care is available outside normal clinic hours.
Board-and-train
Choose this when training is the primary goal. Review the trainer’s methods, credentials, schedule, progress reports, handoff lesson, and follow-up plan instead of treating it as ordinary boarding.
Bottom line
For a U.S. dog owner, $40–$85 per night is a practical starting budget for standard boarding. A seven-night stay might be $294 at the basic $42 benchmark, $420 at the veterinary $60 benchmark, or $714 at the luxury $102 benchmark, before add-ons and billing-day surprises.
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FAQ
How much does it cost to board a dog for a week?
A seven-night stay may cost about $294 at CareCredit’s basic $42 benchmark, $420 at its $60 veterinary benchmark, or $714 at its $102 luxury benchmark. Extras, pickup rules, holidays, and included services change the total.
Does dog boarding include food and walks?
Often, but not always in the same form. Facilities may include feeding, potty breaks, walks, or group play, while charging separately for house food, private walks, special diets, or extra exercise. Ask what is included and whether you need to bring food.
Is someone there overnight when a dog boards?
Not necessarily. Some facilities have staff on-site 24/7; others rely on cameras, alarms, temperature monitoring, or a nearby employee after closing. Ask whether a person is physically present, who responds to alarms, and how quickly the dog can reach emergency veterinary care.
What vaccines does a dog need for boarding?
Requirements vary by facility and location. Rabies and distemper/parvovirus are commonly requested, and many facilities also require Bordetella. Some require or recommend canine influenza vaccination, testing, or parasite prevention. Confirm records and waiting periods before booking.
Is boarding safe for an anxious or senior dog?
It depends on the dog and the care model. A quiet in-home, private-suite, or veterinary arrangement may be preferable to group daycare. Ask about private exercise, non-slip flooring, medication, overnight supervision, and how staff handle stress or medical changes.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
