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Cost of Dog Kennels, Dog Home Boarding and Dog Sitting

If you are going on holiday or away for work, there are many different dog care options for your pooch while you are away from home. You may be wondering how much you should pay for a dog sitting service? Which is the best option for my dog? Below we detail the different dog boarding options.

Service Price
Dog Home Boarding (per day)On average £26 - £32.50
Dog Sitting (per day) On average £26 - £32.50
Doggy Day Care From £20
Wedding Dog Care Bespoke Package From £289
Dog Walking (per hour) From £15
Pet Taxi POA

*Prices vary for each Barking Mad branch are dependent on several factors including age and location. Find your local dog sitting branch and their prices here.  

Find Local Prices Here

We’re all familiar with the saying ‘You get what you pay for’. This certainly applies to dog sitting rates. Rather than simply comparing prices pound-for-pound, we think it’s worth considering the value for money instead. After all, not all dog sitting services are equal.

Friends and family dog sitting cost – Small fee or free

When looking for a place for your dog to stay while you are on holiday, the first option to consider is friends and family. Your dog will be comfortable with them, making the transition much easier. Plus you know they will be in safe hands so you can enjoy your holidays.

Key factors to consider when asking a friend to dog sit:

  • Do they have any other pets?
  • Are they suitable for overnight dog sitting? 
  • Are there children in the house and will your dog be happy?
  • Are they prepared to take your dog on regular walks?

 

Dog Sitting (paying someone to stay at your house) – dependant on individual

Most dogs feel comfortable in their own home, so having an experienced dog sitter come by to feed the dog, take them on walks and play can be a good option. Decide whether you want a sitter to visit your home on a daily basis to spend some quality time with your dog, or have them stay in your home for the length of your trip. There are plenty of organisations that are trustworthy but there is a lot to cover regarding keys, alarm codes and general rules of the house.

How to find the right dog sitter:

  • Ask for recommendations from friends and the local dog-walking community.
  • Check their online reviews, website and business social channels.
  • Meet with potential dog sitters to see how your dog reacts to them.

 

Dog Kennels – average of £15 – £20 per dog, per day

Dog kennels are an option for your dog when you are away on holiday. However, it is important to make sure your dog would be comfortable in a kennel. Dog kennels can be isolating and lonely so if your dog suffers with separation anxiety, a dog kennel may not be the right service for them. If you are wondering how much do dog kennels cost, on average dog kennels cost between £15-20 per day, per dog. 

How to find a good dog boarding kennel:

  • Do you research, ask friends for recommendations and read online reviews.
  • Visit a couple of kennels, to check there is somewhere warm and dry for your dog to sleep.
  • Check the kennel is licensed by the local authority.
  • Find out how many staff there are per animal.
  • Ask about insurance cover and what the procedure is for contacting a vet and you, in case of a veterinary emergency.

 

Dog Home Boarding Price – average of £26 – £32 per dog, per day

An alternative to kennels where your dog stays with a loving host family in the family’s home. It is an alternative to pet sitting as your dog has companionship all of the time on a one on one basis with no need for anyone to have access to your home.

Lucy cares for dogs like Gabby with Barking Mad Chichester

Lucy loves caring for dogs like Gabby!

In-home boarding gives dogs the opportunity to socialise with other dogs under the supervision of a responsible pet lover,  as well as individualised attention and more daily interaction. In-home boarding can be more affordable than pet sitters that come to the home too, and there is the added security of not giving up your house keys. If you are looking for long term dog boarding, you could ask the sitter for a discount due to the length of time. 

Key factors to consider with dog home boarding service:

 

The cost of a dog sitting service can depend on a number of factors:

How many dogs you have?

If you have more than one dog, you may benefit from a reduced rate if they are boarded in the same space in a dog kennel. However, if you are using a dog sitter, they may charge more to care for more than one dog during the time you are away.

The length of the booking

Dog sitting services are normally calculated on the length of stay, so the longer the holiday, the higher the cost of dog sitting. However, if you are booking for a couple of weeks or even a month, some dog boarding services may offer a discount.

Whether the dog sitting is needed in peak or off-peak

Dog sitting and boarding services can get very busy in Summer between May – September and over the Christmas period. Dog boarding costs in peak times may be higher, so it’s important to book early and look out for potential early discounts.

Do you need any optional extras?

Some dog sitting and boarding services offer additional extras to ensure your dog has a pawfect day.

  • Food: the dog sitter provides all the food during the dog’s holiday.
  • Grooming: some dog kennels offer an optional grooming service.
  • Collection: the dog boarder will collect and return your dog to your home.

At Barking Mad, we believe in providing individual care so that dogs have the very best experience possible. 

Find out more

Choose the best!

The services provided and level of care your dog receives can vary greatly depending on which dog care company you choose. It’s important to look at what exactly you’re getting for your money so choose Barking Mad for guaranteed satisfaction.

  • Professional accredited business
  • Personal home checks every time
  • Trustpilot Rated 5-star
  • UK Best in category
  • Fully Insured and Licensed
 

What to consider when looking at prices

  • Is the dog sitter trustworthy?
  • Are they part of a larger network and subject to strict checks and guidelines?
  • How experienced is the dog sitting service? Make sure you read reviews from previous customers
  • How unique or bespoke is the care your dog will receive?
  • Will the service accommodate your dog’s needs and routine? This includes things like exercise, feeding, medical requirements and even their special likes and dislikes
  • Will you have full support and updates about how your dog is enjoying themselves?
  • Will you have to arrange your own transport to get your dog to and from your dog sitter?
  • How well will the dog sitter care for your dog?
  • Do you know if they will spend time properly caring for and fussing over your dog?
  • Will your dog be the only dog boarding at the time? Or if your dog prefers company, can they join other dogs?
  • Will your dog be happy with the sitter?

It’s important to get answers to these questions before comparing dog sitting rates.

How is Barking Mad different?

Barking Mad offers an extensive, caring dog sitting experience, from beginning to end.

We have invested a great deal in building a strong UK network of experienced, devoted dog sitters. All of our sitters are true dog lovers and will care for your dog as if it were their own.

Once a dog sitter joins our team, we don’t just leave it there and assume all will go well. For us it’s an ongoing process. All of our sitters are trusted, experienced and carefully checked in person by us each time we deliver and collect a dog. Through us maintaining this procedure, you can rest assured that our hosts are guaranteed to meet both yours and our high dog care standards.

We consistently receive wonderful, positive feedback from dog owners, which is testament to the excellent service we provide. We take the time to get to know you and your dog and do not believe in a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Our care doesn’t stop once you’ve placed a booking; you can trust us to personally take care of everything until your dog is safely returned to you.

With Barking Mad you are assured of individual, loving care for your dog from the beginning of the process to the end. We know our service offers exceptional value for money.

How much does Barking Mad dog sitting cost?

The rates for our dog sitting service depends on how long you’re going away and how many dogs you have. Find your local Barking Mad branch to get more detailed dog sitting prices.

Find out more

Thanks to dog lovers like you,
we're rated the UK's No.1 dog home boarder. Hurrah!