Updated 10 November 2026.

The best holiday care depends on the individual dog and the actual arrangements, rather than whether a provider calls itself a hotel, home or luxury service. Establish where the dog sleeps, who provides care, how much time they spend alone and whether other animals are present.

Home boarding means a dog stays in the boarder’s home. A house sitter stays in your home with the dog. Those are different services, with different practical and licensing considerations. A few drop-in visits are different again and should not be mistaken for an overnight care arrangement.

Compare the three main options

Neither setting is automatically cheaper, quieter or more attentive. Obtain a written description of what is included and compare it with your dog’s needs. Our boarding cost guide explains charging units and extras.

When kennels may suit

A dedicated establishment may offer individual accommodation, experienced staff and clear separation between dogs. Ask how exercise and one-to-one contact are provided and what happens outside staffed hours. A photograph of a large suite does not tell you how the day is organised.

Visit where possible. Look at the actual sleeping and exercise areas, discuss cleaning and infection control, and ask how the team recognises a dog that is not settling. A trial stay can provide useful information, but it needs a plan for what happens if the dog struggles.

When to consider home boarding

A dog accustomed to a household routine may appreciate an appropriate home environment, but check the whole household. Ask about children, visitors, resident dogs and the number of paying boarders. Discuss feeding, rest and how dogs can be separated safely.

Find out whether your dog will sleep where expected and whether it may be left alone. Some dogs find another household’s routines or animals difficult. Do not assume that every dog enjoys group play or sharing a sofa with unfamiliar dogs.

Meet the actual host where possible. If an agency arranges the service, establish which premises and people will provide care, what happens if the host changes and how the licence covers the arrangement.

When a sitter in your home may be useful

Remaining in familiar surroundings can avoid a change of accommodation, particularly where a dog needs a specific routine. Agree attendance hours, walks, toileting, feeding, medication and any permitted absences. Ask what other bookings the sitter has.

Discuss keys, visitors, alarms, cameras and privacy openly. Leave clear emergency instructions and identify who can help if the sitter becomes ill. A written agreement should explain both dog care and responsibility for the property.

Match care to health and behaviour

Tell the provider about separation-related distress, reactivity, escape attempts, resource guarding and handling concerns. These details help decide whether the setting can work; withholding them can create avoidable problems.

Explain medication and health needs before paying. Ask who will administer treatment, what experience they have and whether the routine can actually be met. Older dogs may need easier access, more toileting and quiet rest. Puppies have different supervision and vaccination needs.

If your dog has significant anxiety, discuss holiday care with your vet or behaviour professional. A different building or a reassuring marketing description does not establish that the dog will settle.

Check the licence appropriate to the service

Commercial kennels and home boarding require relevant licensing where the rules apply. In England, sitting in the dog’s normal home falls outside the home-boarding licensing activity. Other UK nations have their own arrangements. Use our licence-checking guide and confirm the actual premises and activity with the responsible authority.

Insurance, references and a marketplace profile are separate checks. Do not assume that a directory entry confirms current availability, licensing or the suitability of the provider for your dog.

Make the final comparison in writing

List the care your dog needs and send the same information to each shortlisted provider. Compare the answers on rest, supervision, exercise, medical care, compatibility and emergency cover. Then compare the total price for the exact dates and times.

Read deposits, cancellation, delayed collection and early-return terms before booking. Agree an emergency contact who can act if you cannot be reached. Keep the care instructions and the provider’s written confirmation together.

Further guidance: Battersea on sitters, day care and home boarding and Blue Cross on kennel alternatives.