In this guide, we will take you through the costs of using a licensed boarding kennel in the UK, using a dog sitter or dog sitting service and/or home boarders. We'll take you through each of your options, what that means and the pros and cons of each. Our key concern is that you pick the right option for you and your dog. The right option for one person or dog won't be right for another.

Having someone else look after your dog: the basics

There's essentially four ways that you can have your dog looked after when you're away: through a licensed kennel, through a dog sitting service, a home boarder or having a friend or family member look after your dog.

The key difference between a dog boarding kennel and a home boarder is that the home boarder will look after your pet in their own home. The plus side to this is that your dog stays in a home setting without having someone stay in your own home, as you would with pet sitting. You will need to consider how many dogs are in their care (i.e will your dog get the attention it is accustomed to at home), their experience of looking after different types of dogs, your dogs' experience of being around other dogs that it doesn't know, whether they're licensed and whether they're insured. As a minimum you should ensure that you choose a dog home boarder who is licensed by a local authority.

The area where you live, and more specifically, the number of boarding establishments in your local area will have some influence over the cost that you should expect to pay to board your pet. For example, if there is only one boarding establishment in the area there will be no competition and so prices may be higher as a result. You should also expect to pay more if land/property prices are higher in your area as the boarding establishment owner will need to cover their own costs. 

Boarding licences are issued on the basis of how the establishment meets the Animal Welfare Regulations introduced in 2018 and takes into account the suitability of the accommodation and whether the animals are well fed, exercised and protected from disease and fire as well as other factors including risk. An establishment may be quite basic and still be granted a licence if it is deemed as safe and suitable for the number of animals it is housing. Others may be more luxurious and charge a higher price as a result. The ratings introduced by the Animal Welfare Regulations in 2018 should help to guide you as to the standard of accommodation to expect.

Some establishments offer different classes of room this can include a more spacious room or more luxurious bedding materials. You may be asked to indicate which standard of accommodation is required, or you may need to book purely based on what is available.

UK Dog Boarding Costs (2024–2026)

Dog boarding rates in the UK vary widely by location, service level and pet needs. As of early 2025, basic kennel stays average around £20–£30 per night. For example, Airtasker reports an average UK boarding cost of £30 per night (median), with a low end of ~£20 and high end ~£60. Weekly stays can range from ~£120–£250 (20–30% off nightly rates) depending on the facility. These figures include standard kennels; prices in a dog’s own home or “luxury” pet hotels tend to be higher. Nationwide averages conceal big regional differences (see below), and many providers charge extra for large breeds or special care. Pet owners should compare local kennels and home boarders (search terms like “boarding kennels near me” often yield local price lists) to budget accurately.

Breakdown by Boarding Type

• Traditional Kennels: Licensed kennels (similar to pet hotels) typically charge about £15–£25 per night per dog for standard accommodations. (For example, Bodowen Kennels lists small dogs at £26.40 and large dogs at £31.20 per night.) Weekly rates usually work out to around £100–£150 per week (5–7 nights) for one dog. Extras like premium bedding, multiple daily walks or spa grooming are often extra. Many kennels offer multi-dog discounts: e.g. Bodowen charges £42 total for two small dogs (≈£21 each). Most kennels allow off-lead play and handle routine medication; some include medication administration free, while others (especially premium kennels) may add a small fee. During peak season (summer holidays and Christmas) kennel prices often spike, so early booking is advised.

Traditional boarding kennels provide secure, supervised lodging for dogs. Amenities range from basic heated runs to luxury suites with TV and cosy bedding.

• Home Boarding (Host Families): In-home boarding (where your dog stays in a licensed host’s home) is often slightly cheaper than kennels. Typical rates are £20–£30 per night per dog, or roughly £140–210 per week. Hosts offer one-on-one attention and social play with other dogs, which can reduce anxiety for sensitive pets. For example, Barking Mad (a UK home-boarding franchise) reports average home-boarding rates of ~£26–£32 per dog per day. Booking longer stays (10+ days) can earn further discounts. Home boarders usually allow same-family dogs to stay together (often with a small per-dog reduction). As with kennels, extra services (collection service, grooming, special diets) may cost more.

Dogs in home boarding stay with a host family in a home environment. This can be ideal for anxious or elderly dogs, and often costs about the same or slightly less than kennels.

Luxury Dog Hotels / Pet Resorts: These high-end facilities (sometimes called pet hotels) offer premium suites, heating/air-con, camera access and even training or spa services. Prices are much higher: typically starting around £30–35 per night for a standard “deluxe” room and rising to £50+ for top-tier suites. For example, Posh Paws Luxury Hotel charges ~£28.50/day (standard) or £32.50 (deluxe) per dog. Audley Lodge’s “Deluxe” suites run about £49/night for one dog, and “Super Deluxe” suites ~£56. These rates often include multiple daily play sessions, webcam viewing and complimentary extras (and double charges on holidays). In essence, expect pet hotel prices ~2–3× higher than basic kennels, with weekly bills easily >£300 for a single dog in peak season.

In-Home Pet Sitting: (A sitter stays at your home or visits to care for your dog.) This is generally calculated per hour or per night. Dog-sitters charge on average about £10–15 per hour or roughly £50–75 per night. PetBusinessInsurance notes UK sitters average ~£25 per overnight stay. In-home sitting avoids kennel stress, but typically lacks the play/social aspects of boarding kennels. It’s often used for short trips or senior pets. (For multi-day travel, booking a kennel or home boarder is usually more economical.)

Regional Variations

Boarding costs vary sharply by region. In general, London and the South are pricier, while many northern and rural areas are cheaper. For example, Airtasker’s January 2025 data shows London ~£34/night versus Birmingham ~£21/night. Other cities: Manchester ~£34, Liverpool ~£31; Leeds ~£25; Bristol ~£34; Nottingham ~£26; Edinburgh ~£23. In the South East (e.g. Southampton) rates are ~£30/night. Scotland’s major city (Edinburgh) is on the low side (~£23). These regional boarding prices align with living costs: e.g., London/Midlands contrast in Airtasker’s chart. Thus “boarding kennels near me” will yield very different quotes whether you’re in central London or rural Wales. Always check a local directory or comparison site to see current rates in your area.

Size, Health & Special Needs

Dog size often influences price. Kennels usually tier by small/medium/large. As one example, Bodowen Kennels’ 2025 list charges £26.40 for a small dog but £31.20 for a large dog per night. (Other kennels cite similar differences – e.g. Elswick Kennels: ~£14/£15/£16 for small/medium/large.) In-home boarders may or may not vary by size; some charge flat rates. Shared kennels reduce cost: for instance Bodowen lets two small dogs share for £42 total (£21 each). Many providers offer further multi-dog discounts.

Special-needs dogs (old, sick or anxious) can incur extra fees. Medication: many kennels will administer meds – some include it free, others charge (e.g. Audley Lodge notes extra fees for complex med routines). Behavioural needs: dogs requiring anxiety management or training may be steered toward homes or pet hotels with expertise. (Some dog hotels even offer in-house behaviorists or training sessions, often at additional cost.) Inform any provider of your dog’s needs upfront, as truly special care can raise the price.

Seasonal Trends & Discounts

Boarding costs rise in peak seasons. Most UK kennels and sitters are busiest summer (May–Sept) and Christmas/New Year. Expect higher nightly rates or holiday surcharges at these times (e.g. double rates on Bank Holidays). Booking early is crucial: popular places can fill months in advance.

Conversely, off-peak (late autumn, winter excl. Xmas) may see lower or stable rates. Some facilities advertise off-season deals or waive holiday supplements for advanced booking.

Long-term stays often earn discounts. Many kennels and home-boarding services offer 10–20% off for multi-week bookings. For example, one guide notes a fortnight kennel stay may run ~£225–250 instead of 2×1-week rate.

Multiple dogs: Sharing a kennel or family room usually cuts per-dog costs. As noted, Bodowen’s two-dog rate is much cheaper per dog. Some home-boarders also lower fees for same-family dogs. (Be careful, though: some individual sitters may increase rates for more dogs due to extra work. Always clarify multi-dog pricing up front.)

Summary of Price Ranges

• Kennels (standard): ~£15–25 per night for one small/medium dog. (~£120–175 per week.) Large dogs ~£20–30/night.

• Home Boarding: ~£20–30 per night per dog. (Roughly £140–210 per week.) Often includes indoor stays and social play.

• Luxury Pet Hotels: £30–60+ per night for premium suites. (A week can easily exceed £300 per dog.) Amenities like webcams, grooming, heated beds drive up prices.

• Pet Sitting (in-home): ~£10–15/hour or £25–50 per night. Typically used for short trips or special cases, not usually cheapest for long holidays.

In all cases, always compare multiple providers. Prices can swing widely – a generic kennel in Midlands may be much cheaper than an upscale London “dog hotel.” Use local boards (e.g. Good Kennel Guide, Barking Mad, boarding directories) and ask about weekly rates, multi-pet discounts and any extra fees. Keeping travel dates flexible or booking early can also save money.

Key Takeaway: Plan for roughly £20–£40 per night per dog on average in 2025 UK, adjusting up or down for location, service level and pet needs. Confirm current rates and specials with providers, and budget extra for holidays or medical care.