It happens to many pet owners – they need to go on vacation or a business trip, but they don’t have anyone to leave the dog with. They need to find a pet hotel or boarding service in the area with reasonable prices and certified staff. On average, most dog owners spend $40 a night to board their pets. Weekly rates normally start at $150, and you can expect to pay around $500 for one month. The best options depend on personal preference.
Boarding Prices per Night
Dog kennels are conventional boarding facilities that offer water, food, playtime, daily walks, and a crate with bedding for each dog. Prices start at $30 and go up to $75 for additional amenities. However, most of the variation comes from the room size. Luxury kennels charge $50 to $80 per night. They have extras like a TV, a DVD player, and a raised bed.
Boarding Prices per Week
Typically, you can expect to pay $135 to $178 per week. Again, the prices go up for luxury facilities – some dog owners pay as much as $670 a week.
Discounts for Multiple Dogs
Kennels can offer up to 50% off for each additional dog. The biggest discounts are available for small breeds that can share a space.
Package Deal Boarding Prices
Usually, boarding services offer discounts for packages of 5, 10, or more days. The average cost for a 5-day, 10-day, and 1-month package is $150, $210, and $480, respectively. Luxury facilities also offer package deals, but the prices remain relatively high at an average of $950 a month. A reasonably priced package is a great investment, especially if you’re planning a longer vacation or travel for work often.
Dog Hotels
Hotels have more amenities and extras than kennels, but the prices are correspondingly higher. Higher-end dog boarding hotels cost $85 a night on average. Typically, extras include large play areas (outdoors, but protected from the elements), canine cuisine, online webcams, swimming pools, spa services, and even dog “suites.” Some kennels offer these extras for an additional fee per night, ranging from $10 to $20. For example, extras can include a room with a private bed, TV, webcam, a leather sofa or loveseat, and more.
Boarding Your dog at (a) Home
Some people opt for a sitter because they want their dog to stay in a home rather than sleep with other dogs in a kennel. If you want to be sure your pooch is getting personal attention, you might consider this option. If you’re hiring a sitter through a reputable organization like the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, a non-profit industry organization, you can rely on the fact that they have been background checked. Depending on their qualifications and experience, prices are from $15 to $50 a night. Another organization you can look at is Pet Sitters International.
Sitters can also come to your home, but the price is a bit higher for this, reaching $70 per night. On the plus side, the cost per additional dog is very low, sometimes only $5 or $10. Before choosing this option, make sure your dog is safe to be left home alone, ex. it won’t start chewing the furniture in your absence. Typically, the sitter will check in on them every few hours or so. They will feed them, give them water, and take them out for a potty break. Still, ask in advance how often they will come and what they will do. You can pay per visit instead of per night. The price is about $50 per hour spent with the dog in your home.
Spa and Grooming
Some kennels include spa and grooming in their boarding packages, so you can drop them off and have them groomed while you’re away. Full grooming costs about $50; partial grooming starts at $20. Services include bathing and nail clipping.
Boarding at an Animal Hospital or Clinic
Boarding rates at an animal hospital or clinic range from $30 to $50 a night for canines without medical issues. That’s about the same as a kennel. If they have medical or behavioral problems, the rates increase to $40 – $60. Many vets and infirmaries also provide boarding, but their rates are slightly higher. Regardless, a lot of dog owners appreciate having their pet supervised by a trained and qualified veterinary clinic or hospital staff.
Special Needs
Finally, there are kennels that provide care for dogs with special needs, who require additional medical care or have antisocial personalities. On average, they charge $55 a night.
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