How Much Does Dog Boarding Cost?

Dog boarding prices vary more than most people expect — not just city to city, but between an in-home sitter and a full-service pet hotel in the same neighborhood. Here's what actually drives the price.

In-home boarding vs. pet hotels

In-home boarding — where your dog stays with a host in their house — is usually the more affordable option and tends to suit anxious or senior dogs better, since they're often one of just a few dogs in a calm household. Dedicated pet hotels, with private suites, 24/7 staff, and structured play sessions, typically cost more but offer more predictable, hands-on supervision.

What drives the price up

• 24/7 on-site supervision versus a host who's out during the day.
• Private suites or climate-controlled rooms versus shared space.
• Medication administration, if your dog needs daily meds.
• Live webcam access so you can check in remotely.
• Add-ons like grooming, extra walks, or pickup/drop-off service.

How to compare fairly

The listed nightly price isn't the whole story — always check what's actually included. A slightly higher per-night rate that includes medication administration and daily photo updates can be a better deal than a cheaper listing with no updates at all.

You can compare real per-night boarding prices, amenities, and reviews side by side on our boarding search page.