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This calculator multiplies your facility's daily boarding rate by the number of nights to price the first pet at full rate, then prices each additional pet at a discounted nightly rate based on the extra pet discount you enter. The two subtotals are added together and the holiday surcharge is applied as a percentage multiplier on the combined amount, matching how most kennels and pet hotels bill peak season stays. The final total is then divided by nights for your cost per night and by the number of pets for your cost per pet, so you can compare quotes across kennels, pet hotels, luxury resorts and in-home sitters on equal terms.
The calculator uses a simple itemized formula. Start with the first pet: daily boarding rate multiplied by the number of nights. Each extra pet usually costs less, so their nightly rate is reduced by the extra pet discount percentage you enter, then multiplied by nights. Add the first pet subtotal and the extra pet subtotal together, then apply the holiday surcharge percentage as a multiplier on the combined amount. Finally, the total is divided by nights to show your cost per night and by the number of pets to show the cost per pet.
Enter the daily boarding rate your kennel, pet hotel or sitter quotes, then the number of nights your pet will stay. Add how many pets are boarding and any extra pet discount the facility offers. If your trip falls on a holiday or peak season week, add the holiday surcharge percentage. The calculator instantly shows the total boarding cost, the average cost per night, and the cost per pet. Try different inputs to compare facilities: a cheaper nightly rate with a high holiday surcharge can end up costing more than a premium pet hotel with no surcharge.
Basic kennels are the cheapest option, typically USD 25 to 60 per night for dogs and USD 20 to 45 per night for cats, best for social pets and short stays. Pet hotels charge USD 55 to 150 per night for private suites, webcams and more playtime. Luxury dog boarding resorts run USD 100 to 200 or more per night with pools and spa style extras. In-home sitters typically charge USD 40 to 120 per night, a good fit for anxious or senior pets. Dog boarding prices also vary by location: urban facilities cost 30 to 50 percent more than suburban ones, while rural boarding can be about 10 percent cheaper. This kennel vs pet sitter cost comparison reflects typical 2026 pricing, so always confirm your local quotes before booking.
Boarding two or more dogs or cats together usually earns a discount on the extra pets. Many kennels charge the first pet at full rate and each additional pet at 10 to 20 percent off, which is the extra pet discount field in this calculator. Longer stays can unlock savings too: many facilities offer weekly discounts of 10 to 20 percent after seven nights, and veterinary boarding facilities sometimes price weekly stays more keenly. Sitters often charge a flat extra per additional dog of USD 10 to 20 rather than full rate. Always ask how discounts combine, because holiday surcharges are usually applied after discounts, which is exactly how this calculator handles them.
Pet boarding costs spike on holidays because demand far exceeds kennel capacity. Holiday surcharges of 10 to 50 percent are common on Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving and peak school break weeks, with some UK catteries adding GBP 12 to 25 per day around Christmas. Facilities also add supplements for single nights, peak season weekends and winter heating. That is why it pays to book early: many kennels raise rates or sell out completely for holiday boarding. Enter the surcharge percentage from your quote into the calculator to see the true holiday total before you commit.
Book holiday boarding weeks or months in advance to lock in base rates and avoid last minute premiums of 20 to 50 percent. Ask about weekly rates instead of paying the nightly price for a seven day stay. Check how the facility counts days: most charge by night, so picking up in the morning rather than the afternoon can save a full day, and late checkout fees of up to USD 25 apply at some facilities. Bring your own food and medication to avoid add on fees for medication administration, which can run USD 5 to 30 per dose. For multi pet households, compare in-home pet sitting, since one flat sitting rate can beat per pet kennel pricing.
This calculator estimates the boarding stay itself and does not include every possible add on. Grooming, extra playtime, training sessions, medication administration, food upgrades and taxes are not part of the formula unless you roll them into the daily rate. Rates vary widely by region, pet size and facility type, and large dog boarding or luxury resort pricing can run well above typical inputs. Treat the result as a planning budget and confirm the final itemized quote, including the holiday surcharge policy, with your kennel or sitter before booking.
In the US, dog boarding typically costs USD 25 to 60 per night at a basic kennel, USD 55 to 150 per night at a pet hotel, and USD 100 to 200 or more at a luxury resort. Vet boarding averages USD 60 to 75 per night. Your final price depends on dog size, location, add on services and holiday surcharges. Use the calculator above with your facility's quoted nightly rate and trip length for an exact estimate.
Cat boarding usually costs USD 20 to 45 per night at a standard cattery, with luxury cat condos and pet hotels charging more. In the UK, cattery rates run about GBP 15 to 25 per day for one cat, with discounts for multiple cats sharing. Holiday supplements, medication fees and single night charges can add up. Enter the cattery's daily rate and your trip length in the calculator for a precise total.
It depends on the trip. For one pet and short stays, a basic kennel at USD 30 to 55 per night often beats an overnight sitter at USD 50 to 100. For two or more pets, an in-home sitter's flat rate can be cheaper than per pet kennel fees. Drop-in visits at USD 18 to 35 each work for independent pets on short trips. Watch for platform booking fees of 11 to 20 percent on apps like Rover and Wag, which can flip the answer.
Boarding facilities fill up on holidays while staff costs rise, so they add surcharges of 10 to 50 percent on nights around Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving and peak school breaks. Some also add single night supplements and peak season daily fees. Booking early locks in lower rates before holiday pricing kicks in. Add your facility's holiday surcharge percentage to the calculator to see the real holiday total.
Most do. Kennels commonly charge USD 5 to 30 per dose or per day to administer pills, insulin or other medication, and some require a vet form first. Grooming baths at checkout typically cost USD 20 to 80 on top of boarding. If your pet needs daily medication, roll the daily fee into the daily boarding rate field so your estimate reflects the true cost.
Book holiday boarding as early as possible, ideally several weeks to months ahead for Christmas, New Year and Thanksgiving weeks. Popular kennels and luxury resorts sell out, and late bookings face last minute premiums of 20 to 50 percent. For regular weekends, a week or two is usually enough. Early booking also gives you time to complete vaccination paperwork and trial stays.
Almost all reputable kennels, pet hotels and sitters require current rabies, distemper and bordetella vaccinations, and many ask for proof before check in. Some also require a recent vet health check and flea treatment. These requirements protect every animal in the facility. Keep vaccination records ready when you book, because facilities can turn away pets without them, especially during busy holiday periods.
Most facilities charge by night, similar to a hotel: you pay for each night your pet stays, not each calendar day. Morning pickup usually avoids an extra day charge, while afternoon pickup can trigger a late checkout fee. A few charge by 24 hour periods. Always confirm the counting method and pickup cutoff time, because it can change a five night quote by a full day.
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