How Much Does it Cost to Board a Dog?

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How much does it cost to board a dog? There are a ton of options out there that are both fun and affordable, we've done the research for you.

Because before we know it, summer will be over, and fall will be upon us. Make sure to take advantage of the season and plan a most-deserved long-flight to the beach before it’s too late.

As soon as you read that I’m sure a ton of questions ran through your head – what about time off, where to go, what’s affordable, who’s going to take care of my four-legged buddy?

Don’t stress if you're not traveling with your dog.

There are a ton of options out there that are both fun and affordable, it’s just about doing a little research.

While there are a few options for dog boarding — you'll probably want to go with the cheapest (but safest route) so your dog will get the best accommodations and stay safe.

Let's go over all of the dog boarding costs available for you and your little pal Rocky before you book your hotel room.

How Much Does it Cost to Board a Dog?

Let's go over dog boarding prices, for starters the national average cost to board a dog is $40 per day.

National Average Cost$40
Minimum Cost$25
Maximum Cost$85
Average Range$30 to $50
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But let's learn about your options:

How Much Does it Cost to Board a Dog at PetSmart?

How much does PetSmart charge for boarding? You have to call to get the actual price in your area, but PetSmart dog boarding rates run to $30 to $55 per night dependent upon room type and other factors, and they often offer discounts such as one night free if you need a multi-night stay.

How Much Does it Cost to Board a Dog in a Kennel?

Common prices for boarding rates for dog boarding in a kennel run to $18 to $31 per dog, per night [1].

LengthAverage CostLuxury Cost
Per Day$18–$31$84
Per Night$25–$55$55–$95
Per 5 days$100–$135$375–$475
Per Week$140–$175$525–$665
Per month$458–$720$950–$2,600

How Much Does it Cost to Board in a Dog Hotel?

Common prices for boarding rates for dog boarding in a dog hotel run to $50 per dog, per night. If the dog hotel is posh, it could run closer to $100 per night.

how much does it take to board a dog
Unsplash/Victor Grabarczyk

Other Dog Boarding Charges

Keep in mind that each dog boarding facility will set their rates and fees. Some dog boarding facilities may charge extra for food, supplies, or even playtime.

If you have more than one dog or are boarding your dog for an entire week — you can see if they can offer you a cheaper discounted rate. It's worth a try especially since you are looking to pay $350 if you are boarding your dog for seven-days, on average.

What is Dog Boarding?

Having to leave your pet behind when you travel often means choosing between dog boarding or hiring a pet sitter off sites like Rover.com.

Pet boarding is when your dog stays at a boarding facility with other dogs. These places provide your dog with a kennel or sleeping area to stay in and have staff available for walks.

Many of these facilities may offer other services such as dog grooming, nail clippings, and other grooming services. You should inquire about these fees in case you're interested in keeping your dog well-groomed.

If you opt to have your dog stay at a fancy dog hotel, then you're paying for your dog to have its own room. For example, Petsmart offers lodging for dogs called PetsHotel which is an interactive year-round overnight and day care service for dogs and cats. The hotels are located inside of more than 70 PetSmart stores in 24 states. A map of hotel locations is available here.

Making Sure Your Dog is Happy While You're Gone

If your dog isn't necessarily the friendliest with others then that's something to consider. The majority of boarding facilities have dogs grouped together during playtime or even the entire time. If your dog isn't cool with other types of dogs, you'll likely want to avoid boarding him in one of these places and opt for a more private dog hotel.

Not all dogs will enjoy their stay at a kennel or dog hotel, either. If you’ve got a pup likely to cause a ruckus while you’re away, it could end up costing you even more than the regular boarding fee. If dogs cause damage to the facility, there may be additional charges tacked onto your bill, so ask before you board.

dog boarding costs
Unsplash/Shelly Kim

Leaving Your Dog with Pet Sitters

If your dog won't mesh well with other dogs at a kennel or dog hotel then you can consider getting a pet sitter to watch your dog while you're traveling. This is a great option because your dog will stay home and you can find pet sitters for great rates because of apps like Rover.

What is Rover?

If you're going away and wondering who will take of your for your buddy, let Rover take care of that stress, so you can focus on getting away for a little bit to unwind. Rover is the nation’s largest network of pet sitters and dog walkers.

They offer a ton of different services to help you give your pooch the attention and care they deserve when you can’t. They are true dog lovers and with their amazing customer care, you can trust you’re getting an incredible service.

So, when it comes to booking your vacation, turn to Rover and book a House/Pet Sitting service.

Yup, they house sit too! It’s basically two birds with one stone, so you can’t go wrong.

Simply search for a sitter in your neighborhood and schedule a meet and greet to see if they’re a match. Once you find the right person, book and pay through the Rover site.

It’s simple and easy! Don’t worry either, every house sitter that works with Rover has been hand-reviewed and approved by the Rover Team. They have also completed a general background check for added security. That means it’s safe and covered with Rover’s guarantee.

How Much Does it Cost to have a Rover House Sitter Watch Your Dog?

Since Rover house sitters set their own rates, you'll find they vary widely depending on both sitter experience and the location of your home. Per night costs range from $15 to $150 per day, so there's no question you'll find someone to fit your needs and your budget.

Get a Rover dog sitter for your pup while you're on vacation and get $10 off your first booking through this link!

how much is a pet sitter

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Brian Meiggs
Brian Meiggs
Every day we put together original stories that help you conquer each day a little better. Consider us your secret tool to get your life done right. Brian Meiggs is the founder of Whippio anD and has a love for digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and personal finance. His mission to give you the resources and inspiration you didn’t realize you needed to own your life and love it

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