Boarding and daycare are already a big chunk of the pet budget. Average dog boarding runs around $40 per night, with a range from $25 to $85. Doggy daycare is often $25-$40 per day, and "pet hotels" and luxury services go even higher.
Where people really get burned is in the add-ons and fine print.
1. Late checkout charges
Many places treat pickup after a certain time (often mid-day) as another full day of boarding or daycare.
That's fine if you expect it. It's rough when you thought you were paying for three nights and get billed like you stayed four. Ask for the exact cutoff time and build your travel around it when you can.
2. "Peak holiday" or weekend surcharges
Holidays, spring break, and weekends often come with higher nightly rates. Some facilities add a flat "holiday fee" per stay.
Before you book Christmas or Thanksgiving boarding, ask how prices change for peak dates and get the total for the whole stay in writing.
3. Required "evaluation days" that aren't really optional
Daycares often require a trial day to make sure your dog can handle group play. That makes sense. The catch is when that day is full price, plus extra "assessment" fees on top.
When you're shopping around, ask:
- "What does the eval day cost?"
- "Is it applied to future visits or separate?"
That alone might help you pick between several similar places.
4. Playtime and human interaction add-ons
Some kennels keep the base rate low but charge extra for:
- Group play
- One-on-one time
- Extra fetch or walks
So your $35-a-night stay quietly turns into $50-$60 once you add the things that keep your dog from sitting in a run all day. Look for places where reasonable exercise and attention are baked into the normal rate.
5. Medication administration fees
It's reasonable for them to charge something to give meds, especially complicated ones. Where it gets pricey is per-dose fees on simple pills that go on for days.
Ask early:
- "Do you charge for meds?"
- "Is it per day or per dose?"
If it's steep, see if you can simplify your dog's schedule with your vet before boarding.
6. Special handling or temperament fees
Dogs who are fearful, reactive, or need solo play often get charged more. Some facilities list $20-$30 per day on top of normal rates for "special handling."
If your dog fits this category, ask for those fees up front so you're not shocked at pickup.
7. Extra charges for bringing your own food
A lot of kennels encourage you to bring your own food. Some, though, charge a prep or storage fee if your dog has a special diet or multiple containers.
If your dog eats anything, their house kibble may be fine. If not, ask how they handle owner-supplied food and what, if anything, it costs.
8. Bathing and grooming tacked onto the bill
"Do you want a bath before pickup?" sounds harmless. At many places, that's another $30-$90 depending on size and coat.
If you like them coming home clean, go for it-but get the price first and treat it like the add-on it is, not something you automatically say yes to.
9. Extra charges for early drop-off or after-hours pickup
Some facilities offer extended hours for a fee. Others quietly charge if you roll in before or after their main window, even if the door is open.
When you book, confirm:
- Normal drop-off/pickup window
- Fees for outside those hours
That's especially important if your flights tend to be early or late.
10. "All-inclusive" packages that don't match your dog
Some places bundle everything-premium suite, TV, lots of extras-into one big nightly rate. That can be fine if you actually want all of that. If your dog would be just as happy in a simpler setup with staff attention and group play, you're paying for features you don't use.
Ask what's in the base rate, then add only what truly matters to you and your dog instead of jumping straight to the deluxe package.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
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