Going out of town can be difficult when you have your furry friend to consider. Especially when you don’t know how much it will cost. Here we will discuss the overall costs of kennelling a dog and would give adequate focus on the factors affecting kennel boarding price.
Furthermore, this article will also feature the different options a dog owner can take when it comes to having their dog watched. There are pros and cons to each type of dogsitting. We also discuss what dog owners should consider when choosing a dog kennel facility.
Remember that dog kennels are not exclusive to boarding services only. They could also offer specialized training for dogs, teach them how to socialize, and have them engaged in all sorts of fun activities.
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The Costs of Kennel Boarding Services
Typically, dog boarding costs are based on the length of stay or the number of nights the dog will need to be housed. The size of the dog may or may not matter; depending on the business there may be options for larger kennels at a higher cost in some facilities.
People can either choose from the following types of services offered by dog boarding facilities:
- Dog Kennels
A basic dog kennel or boarding facility is the most straightforward option, and these should be accessible to most people no matter the location.
The accommodations offered in these kinds of facilities include: an area for the animal to walk around, play or relax, a crate/kennel for the animal to sleep in, as well as bedding, and 2-3 meals per day depending on your specifications. This can include special diets if requested, a constant supply of water, and at least 2 daily walks and playtime for exercise and bathroom needs.
Depending on the set up of the facility, the dog will almost certainly get to interact with several new people and can possibly interact and play with other dogs. This can be hugely beneficial in helping your dog get comfortable with unfamiliar places and people so that it becomes better adjusted.
On average, most basic boarding facilities will charge $25 to $60 per night. If you have additional dogs that need kenneling as well, this can often be done at a discounted rate of anywhere from 10% to 50% off each night, especially if they can be housed together or even share a crate.
A pet owner has shared that they have paid around $30 to $35 a night per dog depending on size. On the other hand, the Affectionate Pet Care in Fairfax, VA offers $54 a night of kennelling.
Longer term stays can also typically be bought at a discounted rate.
- Dog Hotels
This is another option, and this is more luxury-geared experience compared to the standard kennel. If you really want to pamper your animal and can afford it, these businesses are more upscale.
Your dog will likely be housed in a private room or suite, be served higher-end or gourmet dog food, and have access to toys and other forms of enrichment such as a TV or even a pool. The price may also include additional walks or socialization time.
Some facilities offer 24-hour supervision, and many have online webcams accessible for patrons so that you can check on your dog to make sure it is doing well. This service also includes a treatment spa, and tons of doggy playtimes.
Taking your pet to a hotel or luxury boarding facility may cost you around $75 to $100 per night – a worthy price if you wish to pamper your dog while you’re away.
- Doggy Daycare
This type of dog boarding service is more affordable since your pet would board only during the day which would effectively cut a lot of resource costs.
Doggy daycare facilities don’t just cater to dogs left behind by their owners for a short period of time, they also offer services to those who wish for their pets to hone their social skills, exercise, and engage in all sorts of fun activities.
Daycare facilities for dogs charge by the hour, usually $30 for a single dog while also giving discounts for a second or third dog coming from the same family. Furthermore, there are a number of facilities that offer package deals to dog owners.
For example, Dogtopia offers its kennel service for only $20 a night when paired with daycare service which costs $30. Another pet owner paid one night of boarding plus daycare (with playtime with other dogs) that cost $35 to $50 which can be discounted based on the number of nights availed.
These are highly beneficial to those who avail doggy day care services on a regular basis.
- In-Home Boarding
A relatively newer option is the in-home dog boarding, where a caregiver will take the dog to their home overnight. Several sites have popped up offering this service – including Rover which have added it to its existing services.
Essentially you will get matched up with a sitter who lives relatively close to you and who has experience with caring for dogs that would make them a good match. The best thing about this service is that your dog will stay in a comfortable environment while it is being cared.
Dogs that get nervous or scared in new environments or may not like other dogs may do well with this option. Dogs who can’t interact with other animals for medical concerns, those that have mobility issues or have separation anxiety are also a great candidate for in-home boarding.
In-home boarding can be more expensive if your dog will be the only animal in the home since it can get a lot more frequent and focused 1-on-1 attention and care. This can cost up to $50 a day.
But you can find cheaper deals like, say, $25 a day if the dog sitter maintains several dogs – a relatively affordable price due to most sitters being dog lovers themselves and own several dogs at home.
- Hospitals and Vet Clinics
Lastly, hospitals and veterinary clinics will sometimes offer boarding services. This is similar in capacity to standard boarding facilities; however, you can be assured that should any emergency medical problem arise, your dog is in the best possible place to receive care.
For dogs with ongoing or complex medical needs that may need a daily regimen of drugs, this type of boarding can be very useful to ensure they receive it as the employees are trained on how to medicate animals.
Please keep in mind, however, that although your dog will not interact with sick animals, they may be in the approximate vicinity of some, and so disease transmission is always a risk.
Animal clinics charge about the same as standard kenneling facilities – around $40 to $50 per night of stay. If medical issues come up needing immediate attention or the dog needs to be isolated from other animals for some reason, this will raise the cost.
Miscellaneous Costs of Kennel Boarding Services
Many boarding facilities offer additional services at a cost, such as grooming, bathing, anal gland expression, and nail clipping. This would be a one-time fee of around $20 to $50 depending on how many of the services are requested by the owner.
Training schools where dogs can board as well also exist, although these will be substantially more expensive as they are not just offering housing and basic needs. They also essentially include an entire obedience course where the dog will learn to walk on the leash with no pulling, good manners, as well as a variety of commands.
These courses can be several weeks long and cost up to $500 to $1,000 a week.
Some facilities would offer playtime and walks as add-ons and thus, would be charged at least $15 apart from the cost to board a dog. Dog hotels might charge more for spa treatments and exquisite food.
Baths also aren’t often part of the deal, so if you want your dog bathed at the end of its stay, that’s going to cost extra – usually about $15 to $30 depending on the size of your dog.
Miscellaneous Costs of Kennel Boarding Services
The cost to board a dog isn’t only the figures mentioned above. Know that there will be a few additional costs that might come when you decide to make use of kennel boarding services for your pet.
- Some facilities would offer playtime and walks as add-ons and thus, would be charged at least $15 apart from the designated rate. Dog hotels might charge more for spa treatments and exquisite food.
- Baths aren’t often part of the deal and if you want your dog bathed at the end of its stay, that’s going to cost extra, usually about $15 to $30 depending on the size of your dog.
- You would have to pay an additional fee if you want to include training and grooming sessions which may be around $50.
- Most kennels will require your dog is current on certain vaccines. Vaccines such as kennel cough and canine influenza are not routine at veterinary clinics but are required by many kennel facilities. These will cost $20 and above.
Are There Any Alternatives?
Call a Friend – if you will only be gone for a few days, you can just practically ask a friend to check on your dog a few times a day and to give it food and water. This works best when you have a pretty mellow dog and that a few days of no exercise through walking wouldn’t hurt.
Cost: Just a “thank you” or a Venti cup of Starbucks Java Chip Frappe as an appreciation.
Downside: your dog would be left to its own devices at home once your friend leaves.
Pet Sitter – dogs would naturally find it hard to adjust to abrupt changes in their environment when you go the kennelling route. Hiring a pet sitter would be a good alternative since your pet’s routine wouldn’t be disrupted and you also would have an eye watching over the house.
This option is for those owners who don’t want their dogs to leave the house. Some dogs are just too anxious and nervous around other people and dogs – making it dangerous for them to leave the comfort of their home.
Having your dog to stay at home while you’re away but still get the care that it deserves is the best option for you. The price for this type of service would have to depend on how you want the sitter to manage your dog.
Oftentimes, the sitter would visit your dog at different times of the day to play, walk, and feed it. However, if you want the sitter to stay overnight with your dog, you would need to pay more.
Pet sitting services vary in costs and can be affected by factors such as the distance of the pet sitters’ place to your own as well as their own experience and qualifications.
Cost: $20 to $80 per day
Downside: You might not feel comfortable with a stranger in the house.
Hire a Dog Walker – if you have a pretty active dog, you wouldn’t want it to miss its daily walks just because you’re away. Hiring a pet walker will keep your dog enjoy a few moments a day to enjoy the sunshine, the breeze, the park or playground.
Cost: $14 to $40 an hour.
Downside: It would only take a few minutes to an hour to walk a dog. After that, your dog would be left alone again.
Travel with Your Dog – when everything else seems uncomfortable to you like leaving your beloved pet at the hands of other people or leaving it behind alone at home, you might want to consider just bringing it along with you. This way, you’d be able to bond with your dog and at the same time, have a peace of mind.
Cost: It depends on your destination and mode of transportation.
Downside: Pets might not be allowed in some places that you intend to go.
