It’d be wonderful to take our dogs with us wherever we go, but sometimes, it’s not possible due to work commitments or hotels that aren’t pet-friendly. These circumstances can lead you to consider alternative options because your dog cannot be left alone while you’re away. Pet sitters and dog boarding kennels are designed to step in for you and give your pup the love, attention, and care they need while you’re out of town.
Unfortunately, nothing is free, and you’ll need to budget for these services. On average, you can expect to pay between £30 and £70 per night. We have all the information that you need to leave town feeling confident, along with the prices to consider before booking.
The Difference Between Dog Sitting and Dog Boarding
In truth, there are benefits to pet sitting and dog boarding. Regardless of the one you choose, their goal is the same: to care for your dog while you’re away. This can be during the day when you’re at work or when you’re traveling on holiday. However, as much as they have the same goal in common, they are two very different services.
Pet sitting services give your dog the benefit of staying in their own home while you’re away. They’ll be looked after, and you can feel comfortable knowing someone trustworthy is also looking after your home. Your dog will be given personalized care and attention instead of being one of many dogs.
However, pet sitters typically cost more, and you’ll have to do a bit of research to find one who is highly recommended. If you have an anxious or unvaccinated dog, you should consider a dog sitter.
Pet boarding requires you to drop your dog off at the facility while you’re away. It’s often cheaper than a pet sitter, but the employees are professionally trained, so your dog will be in good hands.
However, your dog will be one of many and won’t receive the individual attention that they’d get from a dog sitter. Dog boarding is great for social dogs, but they’ll only be welcomed in if you’re up to date with their vaccinations to prevent the potential spread of disease among the animals.
The Importance of Dog Sitting and Dog Boarding
Without dog sitters and boarding facilities, dog owners wouldn’t be able to travel for work or take a break and enjoy a holiday. They would have to rely solely on family and friends to look after their pets when they’re away, which aren’t reliable guardians because they’re not professionally trained and have responsibilities that could take them away from the dog for hours.
Dog sitters are important because they provide your dog with security and familiarity, as they can stay in their own home. It’s often stressful for pets when their owners go away for periods of time, but remaining in their environment can reduce some of their anxiety. If your dog has special needs, a dog sitter will also maintain their usual routine and give them the medication they need.
Dog boarding is a great solution for dogs that need to connect with other people and pets because they’ll be exposed to many of them in a safe environment. These facilities also often have an open spot when you have to leave quickly due to an emergency. Likely, your favorite dog sitters won’t be available when the unexpected strikes, as you’ll have to book them well in advance.
How Much Do Dog Sitters and Dog Boarding Facilities Cost?
To keep one dog overnight at a dog boarding facility, you’ll have to pay around £30. However, it can be as high as £60 or as low as £20, depending on a few factors. Pet sitters often charge £10 per hour that they’re with your dog during the day. However, you can expect to pay between £30 and £70 for an overnight stay.
Depending on where you live in the UK, dog sitting and boarding services have slightly different costs. If you live in a city area, you’ll be charged a higher price than someone who lives in a rural area.
You’ll also be charged according to how long you want the pet sitter to stay with your dog or how long you need your dog to stay at the dog boarding facility. The type of facility you choose and any extra requirements will also increase your cost.
Cost of a Standard Overnight Stay for One Dog Throughout the UK
| London | England | Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland | |
| Dog Sitting | £70 | £50 | £42 | £25 | £30 |
| Dog Boarding | £60 | £32 | £15 | £20–£23 | £12–£18 |
Additional Costs to Anticipate
When using pet-sitting or boarding services, you must factor in additional costs. Here are a few points to consider. Dog sitters come to your house to ensure your dog is okay, has water, and is fed. Depending on the pet-sitting company or person you’re dealing with, additional services cost more.
You’re likely to pay additional costs if you want your dog walked or want the pet sitter with your dog longer than the hour they charge for. You’ll also pay more if you want them to stay overnight with your dog or while you’re away on holiday. You may be expected to pay for the pet sitter’s travel to your house.
You can pay for extras with dog boarding, such as treats, grooming, training, and walks. They’re not always necessary, but if you’re going away on a long trip, your dog will benefit from these services.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Sitting and Dog Boarding?
Depending on your policy, your pet insurance may cover the cost of placing your dog into someone else’s care during a medical emergency, including hospital admittance. Although many people don’t know about this benefit, most pet insurance providers offer dog boarding coverage, which can be a financial help when you need it most.
However, they only pay out when you have a medical emergency and not when you want to place your dog in a boarding facility because you’re leaving on holiday. You should also know your policy’s regulations regarding dog boarding. Many insurance plans only cover it if you have been admitted to the hospital for at least 3 days. If you were hospitalized for 2 days or less, they might not cover the boarding fees.
If your hospital admission was pre-planned, such as during pregnancy, they could refuse to pay because you had time to budget for the boarding costs beforehand. The type of facility you go to may also not fall under your policy’s definition of a hospital and may not meet their guidelines for coverage.
How Often Should I Use a Dog Sitter or Dog Boarding Facility?
How often you get a pet sitter or take your dog to a boarding facility is up to you. You could book a pet sitter to pop into your home to check on your dog every day while you’re at work, or you could only book one when you’re working late or going away. You may take your dog to a boarding facility a weekend a month to socialize with the other pets, when you have guests coming over, or when you have to move into a new home.
Ensure your dog doesn’t feel fearful or uncomfortable at the dog boarding facilities or with your pet sitter. If you notice them acting strangely whenever your sitter comes over, consider trying a new sitter with your dog. If your dog doesn’t respond well at boarding facilities, try a pet sitter instead.
How to Find a Good Dog Sitter
You can use a private dog sitter or one who works for a pet-sitting company. The advantage of going through a pet-sitting company is that the individuals have already been vetted. If you find a private dog sitter, you’ll have to do more research into them yourself.
You can find a dog sitter through recommendations from your friends, family, and community. It’s safer to choose a dog sitter with many online reviews because you’ll read about other people’s experiences with them.
Before booking a dog sitter, meet up with the ones whose profiles stood out to you. Introduce your dog to them and watch how they interact. You can move on to the next candidate if your dog looks uncomfortable around them.
Good dog sitters will be obvious animal lovers who are comfortable around dogs. They’ll be experienced, friendly, trustworthy, reliable, fully insured, and CRB-checked.
Finding a Good Dog Boarding Facility
Good dog boarding kennels will have many recommendations and good reviews on their website. They’ll be licensed, have insurance coverage, have many staff members, and be happy to answer your questions and willingly show you around their facility. For their safety, they’ll require all dogs to be fully vaccinated before arriving at the kennel.
Before sending your dog off for an overnight stay at a dog boarding facility, check it out in person. Ask the employees to show you around and ask important questions. Although most dog boarding facilities are run by dog-loving people, the sad reality is that not all of them are. Avoid a bad experience for your dog and make sure the facility is everything that it claims to be.
Conclusion
The cost of a pet sitter in the UK for one dog is between £30 and £70, while an overnight stay at a dog boarding facility is £30. Your pet insurance may cover the boarding cost if you’ve been admitted to the hospital for more than 3 days, but it depends on the type of policy you have.
When looking for a pet sitter or boarding facility, ask for recommendations from people you trust, such as your vet, and be sure that they have all the required documentation.
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Featured Image Credit: Jayme Burrows, Shutterstock
