How Much Does Dog Boarding Cost in the UK in 2026?
If you've never booked dog boarding before, the first question you'll probably Google is some version of "how much is this actually going to cost me?" It's a fair question, and the honest answer is: it depends. Where you live, the type of boarding you choose, the size of your dog and the time of year all play a role. But that's not a particularly useful answer when you're trying to work out a budget, so here's a proper breakdown of what you can realistically expect to pay across the UK in 2026.
The Quick Answer
For most dog owners in the UK, boarding costs somewhere between £15 and £50 per night, depending on where you are and what kind of facility you choose. London and the South East sit at the higher end of that range, while rural areas and parts of the North tend to be cheaper.
Types of Dog Boarding and What Each One Costs
There's more than one way to board your dog, and the type of care you choose makes a bigger difference to the price than almost anything else.
Traditional Boarding Kennels
A licensed kennel is usually the most affordable option. Your dog will have their own space, regular feeding, access to outdoor runs and daily walks. It's not glamorous, but a good kennel is well-staffed, secure and properly regulated. Expect to pay roughly £15 to £30 per night for a standard kennel stay. Larger breeds sometimes attract a small premium, and many kennels offer a slight discount if you're booking a week or more.
Home Boarding
This is where a licensed host takes your dog into their own home and cares for them alongside their family. It's a more personal option, particularly good for dogs that get anxious in a kennel environment. Prices are similar to kennels or slightly higher, typically £20 to £35 per night. The extra cost reflects the one-on-one attention your dog gets.
Luxury Dog Hotels
Think upgraded suites, webcam access, grooming add-ons, structured play sessions and sometimes even training programmes. These facilities sit at the premium end and can cost £40 to £75 or more per night, particularly in cities. If your dog is used to being spoiled at home, this might be worth it for peace of mind.
Doggy Day Care with Overnight Boarding
Some daycare centres also offer overnight stays. Your dog will have spent the day socialising and running around, which tends to mean they sleep soundly. Overnight day care usually costs £30 to £55 per night. It's a good fit for energetic dogs who need more stimulation than a standard kennel provides.
In-Home Pet Sitting
A sitter comes to your home, either staying overnight or visiting a few times a day. Your dog never has to leave their own environment, which suits anxious or elderly pets well. Overnight in-home sitting averages £40 to £75 per night, though drop-in visits during the day typically cost £10 to £15 per hour.
How Location Affects the Price
There's a significant gap between what you'll pay in London compared to a rural area in the North or Scotland. Here's a rough idea of average nightly rates by region:
London - around £34 to £45 per night on average
Manchester and the North West - around £25 to £34 per night
Bristol and the South West - around £25 to £34 per night
Birmingham and the Midlands - around £20 to £28 per night
Leeds and Yorkshire - around £20 to £28 per night
Edinburgh and Scotland - around £20 to £26 per night
Rural areas - often £15 to £25 per night
These are averages and individual facilities vary a lot, so always check the specific kennel or sitter rather than assuming the regional rate applies everywhere.
What Affects the Final Bill
Beyond the base nightly rate, a few things can push the cost up (or down):
Dog size. Many kennels price by size category. A small dog might be £22 per night while a large breed is £30. It's worth checking in advance if you have a bigger dog.
Peak periods. School holidays, bank holidays, Christmas and New Year all attract premium rates. Some kennels charge 25% to 50% more over peak periods, and the best ones book up months in advance. If you're planning to go away over summer or Christmas, sorting your dog's boarding early is genuinely worth doing.
Extra services. Additional walks, one-on-one playtime, grooming, medication administration and collection or drop-off services all tend to carry extra charges. Ask what the base rate actually includes before assuming everything is covered.
Multiple dogs. If you have more than one dog from the same household, many kennels and home boarders offer a discounted rate for the second or third dog. Two dogs sharing a kennel unit is often cheaper per dog than booking them separately.
Length of stay. Week-long stays often come with a small discount compared to paying the nightly rate multiplied by seven. If you're going away for two weeks or more, it's always worth asking if there's a longer-stay rate.
A Week Away: What Should You Budget?
To give you a concrete idea, here's what a seven-night stay might cost for one dog at each service level, roughly:
Standard kennel: £105 to £210
Home boarding: £140 to £245
Luxury hotel: £280 to £525+
Overnight day care: £210 to £385
In-home sitter: £280 to £525+
These figures don't include extras like additional walks or grooming. For peak travel periods, budget on the higher end of those ranges.
How to Find the Right Boarding for Your Dog
Price is one thing, but it shouldn't be the only thing you look at. A few things worth checking before you book:
Is the facility properly licensed? In England, kennels and home boarders must be licensed by the local council under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018. Ask to see their licence number, or check it yourself.
What's included in the nightly rate? Food, walks, socialisation?
What are the vaccination requirements? Most reputable facilities require up-to-date vaccinations for kennel cough, distemper and parvovirus as a minimum.
Can you visit before you book? Any good kennel or home boarder should be happy to show you around.
Are there reviews from other dog owners?
Find Dog Boarding Near You
PetPortal is a free directory of pet boarding businesses across the UK, including kennels, catteries, home boarders and more. You can search by location, read about each facility and send a booking request directly through the listing. With over 300 businesses already listed, it's a good starting point whether you're looking for something local or trying to get a sense of what's available in your area.