Dog Boarding & Sitter Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of boarding, daycare, in-home sitting, or drop-in visits. Adjusts for dog count, size, city cost-of-living, and the most common add-on fees.
What\'s included in each service type
Boarding kennel
Overnight stay at a dedicated facility. Typically includes meals (your food or theirs), individual kennel/run space, two outdoor potty breaks per day, basic monitoring. Activity / playgroup time is usually an add-on. Best for: well-socialized dogs with no separation anxiety, multi-night stays, dogs that thrive on routine.
Daycare
Daytime-only group care, drop-off in the morning, pickup before close. Includes social playtime, naps, supervised group walks. No overnight. Best for: working owners who want their dog tired by evening, puppies needing socialization.
In-home sitter (overnight)
Sitter stays in your home overnight. Includes feeding, walks, medication, basic house care (mail, plants). Most natural environment for your dog. Best for: dogs with separation anxiety, multi-dog households (cheaper per dog than boarding), older dogs that don\'t handle change well.
Drop-in visits
Sitter comes to your home 1-3 times per day for feeding and a walk. Owner not present overnight. Cheapest option. Best for: confident, settled adult dogs that sleep soundly, stays of 1-2 nights only.
Rate ranges to expect
| Service | Low-cost area | Mid | High-cost area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boarding kennel (medium dog) | $30-45/night | $45-65/night | $70-100/night |
| Daycare (medium dog) | $25-35/day | $35-50/day | $50-75/day |
| In-home sitter (medium dog) | $50-70/night | $70-95/night | $100-150/night |
| Drop-in visits | $18-25/visit | $25-35/visit | $35-55/visit |
Hidden cost gotchas
- Half-day vs full-day daycare. Some places charge full daycare rate even for a 4-hour drop-in.
- Vaccine requirements. Most facilities require Bordetella, Influenza, sometimes additional vaccines — extra vet trip needed before first booking.
- Trial day fees. Many facilities require a paid temperament evaluation before accepting your dog.
- Holiday and weekend pickup windows. Sunday or holiday pickup may incur late fees if outside the standard window.
- Cancellation policies. Holiday bookings often require 50-100% deposit; cancellation refunds vary widely.
Frequently asked questions
Boarding kennel vs in-home sitter — which is cheaper?
For a single dog: boarding kennels are usually cheaper per night ($30-$60 base) than in-home sitters ($55-$120). For multiple dogs, in-home sitters often win because most charge a small per-additional-dog fee while kennels charge near-full price for each dog. Drop-in visits are the cheapest option but only suitable for confident, settled adult dogs.
What add-on fees should I expect?
Common add-ons: medication administration ($3-$8/day), special diet ($5-$15/day if you don't supply food), holiday surcharge (+25-50%), late pick-up ($20-$50), grooming bath ($30-$80), playgroup time ($10-$25/day at kennels). Always ask for the full price list before booking.
How far ahead should I book?
For peak times (Christmas, Thanksgiving, summer holidays, July 4th), reputable boarders fill up 2-3 months in advance. For random weekends, 2-3 weeks ahead is usually fine. In-home sitters in popular areas can also book out for major holidays.
Are there alternatives to traditional boarding?
Yes — house-sitter exchanges (TrustedHousesitters and similar), pet-friendly hotels for short trips, friend/family swaps, or daycare-only if you'll be home overnight. For dogs with separation anxiety, in-home care is almost always less stressful than a kennel environment.