How Much Is Dog Boarding? Kennel vs. In-Home Prices

Updated October 3, 20264 minSources (2)

Sitters who board dogs in their own home typically charge $47.50 a night in the US, or $332.50 for a week, and most ask between $35 and $65 a night. Kennels are harder to pin down, because the type of place moves the price a lot. CareCredit's vet-reviewed pet boarding cost guide puts the national average at $42 a night for a basic kennel, $47 for a mid-range one, $102 for a luxury pet hotel and $60 for boarding at a vet.

The in-home figure is the median nightly price set by the 558 US sitters who list boarding on Sittsy (September 2026). It's the sitter's own price, taken from listings rather than past bookings.

Dog boarding prices at a glance

One night of dog boarding in the US: basic kennel $42, mid-range kennel $47, a sitter's home $47.50, boarding at a vet $60, luxury pet hotel $102

Type of boarding	Typical price per night	About a week (7 nights)
At a sitter's home	$47.50	$332.50
Basic kennel	$42	$294
Mid-range kennel	$47	$329
Luxury pet hotel	$102	$714
Boarding at a vet	$60	$420

The sitter figure is the Sittsy median of sitters' own prices. The kennel figures are CareCredit's national averages. CareCredit's range for dogs runs from $33 all the way to $185 a night. That's how much ground the word "boarding" covers.

How much is dog boarding in New York, Miami and Los Angeles?

These three are the only US metro areas where at least 15 sitters offer boarding within 25 miles (40 km) of the city center. With fewer, one or two unusual prices can pull the middle figure a long way, so we don't give one. Each sitter is counted once, in the nearest of the 25 cities where Sittsy has the most sitters.

Metro area	Typical price per night	Most sitters charge
New York	$60	$40–$80
Miami	$50	$37–$67
Los Angeles	$50	$37–$65

A week comes to about $420 around New York and $350 around Miami or Los Angeles. Everywhere else, the national $47.50 is the safer guide.

Per night or per day: how is boarding billed?

At a sitter's home on Sittsy, boarding is priced per night. Friday drop-off, Sunday pickup: two nights.

Kennels often bill per day instead, and every place has its own rules. One North Carolina kennel's published rate card shows the kind of thing to look for: the charge starts on drop-off day, a weekday pickup after 3 pm counts as another day, and Sunday is always charged. Before comparing prices, ask any kennel how it counts the first and last day.

What adds to the price of dog boarding?

A second dog, most often. Sitters who board on Sittsy typically add $25 a night for each extra dog (279 sitters set that price), so two dogs come to about $72.50 a night, not double. Puppies have their own rate, typically $54 a night instead of the base price (280 sitters). The booking summary shows the full price for all your dogs before you pay.

Kennels tend to sell extras on top of the nightly rate. That same rate card lists an extra walk at $3 a day, a play session at $13, baths from $40, a small daily fee if you bring your own food, and a per-dose fee for medication. None of it is unusual. Over a week, though, it adds up, so ask for the total with everything your dog needs.

Holiday dates fill first. Book early for summer, Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, and ask whether the price changes on those dates.

How much does it cost to board a cat?

Less than a dog, on average. CareCredit's averages for cats are $28 a night basic, $34 mid-range, $59 luxury and $49 at a vet. Some Sittsy sitters board cats too, and their profiles say which pets they accept.

In-home boarding or a kennel?

In-home boarding means your dog sleeps at one sitter's house. Ask how many other dogs will be there. A home can suit a dog who finds noise and crowds stressful, and it's the closest thing to staying at home.

A kennel or pet hotel has staff on site, dedicated play areas and fixed routines, and some have cameras. Very social dogs can do well there. So can a dog with medical needs, if you choose boarding at a vet.

Whichever you pick, visit or meet first, and ask about vaccines. CareCredit's guide notes that kennel cough spreads where many dogs share space and that vaccination greatly reduces the risk. Ask your vet what your dog needs, then ask the host which records they want to see.

Questions to ask before you book

How many other dogs will be there, and will mine be alone at any point?
Where does my dog sleep, and where does it spend the day?
How are the first and last days charged, and what costs extra?
Which vaccination records do you need?
What happens if my dog gets sick, and which vet do you use?
How will you send updates?

Would day care or a sitter at home be cheaper?

If you're home at night, you don't need boarding at all. Day care at a sitter's home typically costs $35 a day (585 sitters), and you can compare it on day care across the US. If your dog would rather stay put, a sitter who stays overnight in your house typically charges $50 a night, close to the boarding price. Compare sitters on pet care across the US.