How Much Does Dog Boarding Cost in 2026?
Dog boarding usually costs about $40–$75 per night in the United States, or roughly $280–$525 for one week before optional extras. Budget kennels may be closer to $30–$50 per night, while luxury, holiday, medical, or high-supervision boarding can cost $75–$150+ per night.
The final price depends on location, boarding type, checkout rules, holiday demand, medication, extra playtime, grooming, additional dogs, and whether services such as walks or special feeding are included.
| Boarding Type | Typical Nightly Cost | Best For | Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget kennel | $30–$50 | Basic overnight care | Playtime, walks, and extras may cost more |
| Standard boarding | $40–$75 | Most routine boarding stays | Late pickup, holiday, and add-on fees |
| In-home sitter boarding | $40–$90+ | Dogs that prefer a home environment | Other pets, supervision, fencing, and sitter experience |
| Veterinary or medical boarding | $45–$100+ | Dogs needing medication or monitoring | May cost more for extra medical care |
| Luxury dog boarding | $75–$150+ | Private suites and premium services | Add-ons can raise the total quickly |
Current 2026 boarding data supports this broad range. CareCredit reports average dog boarding costs around $42 for basic boarding, $47 for mid-tier boarding, about $60 for veterinary boarding, and roughly $102 for luxury boarding.
For your full ownership budget, use the pet cost calculator or compare recurring expenses in the dog cost per month guide.
Dog Boarding Cost Per Night and Week
The most common question is how much a boarding stay will cost from start to finish. Standard boarding at $40–$75 per night works out to approximately:
| Nightly Rate | 3 Nights | 5 Nights | 7 Nights | 14 Nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40/night | $120 | $200 | $280 | $560 |
| $50/night | $150 | $250 | $350 | $700 |
| $75/night | $225 | $375 | $525 | $1,050 |
| $100/night | $300 | $500 | $700 | $1,400 |
A standard one-week stay is therefore often around $280–$525. Luxury suites, holiday surcharges, medical care, multiple dogs, or several add-ons can push a week to $600–$1,000+.
What Is Included in Dog Boarding—and What Costs Extra?
The advertised nightly rate is only useful if you know what it includes. Two facilities with different prices may provide very different levels of care.
Usually Included
- Sleeping space or kennel
- Fresh water
- Basic feeding
- Potty breaks
- General staff supervision
Sometimes Included
- Group play
- Short walks
- Photo updates
- Basic bedding
- Simple oral medication
Often Charged Separately
| Add-On | Typical Planning Range | Why It May Cost Extra |
|---|---|---|
| Extra playtime | $10–$30 per session | Additional individual or group attention |
| Longer walks | $10–$25 per walk | Some facilities include only basic potty breaks |
| Medication administration | $5–$25 per day | Extra staff time and care tracking |
| Special feeding | $5–$15 per day | Refrigerated, raw, or complicated feeding instructions |
| Bath or grooming | $25–$100+ | Optional cleanup or grooming before pickup |
| Late pickup | $10–$50+ | May apply after the facility's checkout time |
Ask for an itemized estimate before booking. A $45 nightly rate can become more expensive than a $65 rate if basic walks, play, medication, or late pickup are charged separately.
Holiday Dog Boarding Rates
Holiday boarding usually costs more because demand is higher and spaces fill quickly. Some facilities charge a flat holiday fee, while others increase the nightly rate.
A practical planning range is around 15%–50% above the normal rate during major peak periods, although individual facilities can charge more or less.
Common Peak Periods
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- New Year
- Spring break
- Long holiday weekends
- Peak summer travel weeks
For example, a normal $55 nightly stay that rises to $70–$80 during a peak week would cost roughly $490–$560 for seven nights before add-ons.
Book early during major holidays. Waiting until the last minute can leave fewer suitable options even if you are willing to pay more.
Kennel vs In-Home Dog Boarding
A traditional kennel is often the least expensive option, but the cheapest service is not automatically the best fit for every dog.
Traditional Kennel
A kennel can work well for confident dogs that tolerate structured environments. Basic rates may be lower, but longer walks, private play, premium bedding, and other extras may cost more.
In-Home Sitter Boarding
Your dog stays in the sitter's home rather than a commercial kennel. Rates commonly fall around $40–$90+ per night depending on location and sitter experience.
Ask how many other dogs will be present, how often the dog will be supervised, whether the yard is secure, and what happens during an emergency.
House Sitting
A house sitter stays in your home, allowing your dog to keep a familiar routine. This can be helpful for anxious dogs, senior pets, or multi-pet households, but it is often more expensive than standard boarding.
Overnight house sitting may cost around $60–$150+ depending on location, number of pets, and care requirements.
Luxury Dog Boarding Cost
Luxury dog boarding generally costs about $75–$150+ per night. Premium facilities in high-cost cities or during holiday periods can exceed that range.
Luxury Boarding May Include
- Private rooms or suites
- Raised beds
- Webcam access
- Extended group play
- Individual walks
- Daily photo or video updates
- Swimming or enrichment
- Training sessions
- Premium bedding
CareCredit's 2026 boarding data puts average luxury dog boarding around $102 per night, which fits within the broader $75–$150+ planning range.
How Much Does It Cost to Board Two Dogs?
Two dogs usually cost more than one, but some facilities offer a discounted second-dog rate when both dogs can safely share a room or suite.
- One dog at $50/night: about $350 for one week.
- Two dogs at full price: about $700 for one week.
- Two dogs with a $25 nightly second-dog fee: about $525 for one week.
- Luxury boarding for two dogs: can exceed $875–$1,500+ per week.
Ask whether a discount applies only when both dogs share the same space. Dogs requiring separate rooms may be charged much closer to two full boarding rates.
Puppy, Senior, and Medical Dog Boarding Costs
Puppies, older dogs, and dogs with medical or behavioral needs may require more staff attention and can therefore cost more to board.
Puppies
Puppies may need additional potty breaks, feeding, cleaning, supervision, and separation from adult group play. Some facilities charge extra, while others simply use a higher puppy boarding rate.
Senior Dogs
Older dogs may need mobility help, quieter spaces, medication, softer bedding, or more frequent monitoring. Extra charges vary by facility.
Dogs Needing Medication
Simple oral medication may cost around $5–$25 per day to administer. More complicated medical care may require veterinary boarding or another specialist option.
Anxious or Reactive Dogs
A dog that cannot participate safely in group play may need private care, additional staff attention, or an experienced sitter. Pricing varies based on the required setup.
Do not choose the cheapest boarding option if it cannot safely meet your dog's health or behavioral needs.
Real Dog Boarding Budget Examples
Weekend Stay
A two-night stay at $45 per night costs $90. Add a $20 late-pickup or playtime charge and the final total becomes about $110.
One-Week Standard Stay
Seven nights at $60 per night costs $420. Add a $35 bath before pickup and the total becomes about $455.
One-Week Holiday Stay
Seven nights at $80 per night costs $560. Adding $70 for medication or enrichment brings the trip total to about $630.
These are planning examples rather than guaranteed quotes. Your facility may calculate checkout days, add-ons, and holiday fees differently.
How to Save on Dog Boarding
- Book early: especially for holidays and summer travel.
- Ask about weekly rates: some facilities discount longer stays.
- Compare total cost: not just the advertised nightly rate.
- Bring your dog's usual food: when permitted, this may avoid premium food charges and stomach upset.
- Avoid unnecessary add-ons: skip premium treats, photo packages, or extras you do not need.
- Ask about second-dog discounts: if boarding more than one pet.
- Keep vaccines current: so you do not need an unexpected veterinary appointment before check-in.
- Consider a trial night: before committing to a long stay at a new facility.
If travel care regularly makes your dog budget difficult to manage, use the pet affordability quiz to review how boarding fits into your overall ownership costs.
Alternatives to Dog Boarding
Boarding is not the only option. The best alternative depends on your dog's temperament, medical needs, and how long you will be away.
- House sitter: often $60–$150+ per night and useful for anxious dogs or multi-pet homes.
- Drop-in visits: commonly around $15–$40+ per visit and better suited to situations where overnight supervision is not required.
- Friend or family care: can reduce cash cost but should still be planned carefully.
- In-home sitter boarding: can offer a home-like environment at rates similar to or above kennel boarding.
For dogs with medical needs, severe anxiety, or behavioral concerns, suitability and safety matter more than choosing the lowest possible price.
Plan Dog Boarding as Part of Your Ownership Budget
If you travel several times a year, boarding can become a meaningful annual dog expense rather than an occasional surprise.
For example, two separate one-week trips at $60 per night would cost about $840 per year before add-ons. Holiday rates, grooming, medication, or multiple dogs could increase that substantially.
Use the Pet Lifetime Cost calculator to include travel care in your wider budget, compare normal expenses in the dog cost per month guide, or review the pet insurance calculator for medical-cost planning.
Sources and Cost Methodology
The prices in this guide are US planning ranges based on current boarding-market data and published pet-care pricing. Actual rates vary by city, facility, boarding style, dog needs, holiday demand, and optional services.
Current national boarding context is supported by CareCredit's pet boarding cost data. Current local-market context can also be checked through Rover, where boarding prices vary by city and sitter.
The figures in this article should be treated as planning estimates rather than guaranteed quotes. Always ask a specific facility for its full rate sheet, checkout policy, holiday fees, medication charges, and included services before booking.
Final Takeaway
Dog boarding typically costs about $40–$75 per night or $280–$525 for a standard one-week stay. Budget kennels may cost around $30–$50 per night, while luxury, holiday, medical, or high-supervision boarding can reach $75–$150+ per night.
Compare the total price rather than the advertised nightly rate. Ask what is included, how checkout days are charged, whether holiday rates apply, and what extra services your dog will need before you book.