How much does dog boarding cost in the UK in 2026?

Dog-boarding prices in the UK have crept up steadily over the last three years. In 2026, expect to pay £25–£55 a night with a licensed home boarder, depending on where you live and what your dog needs. Here's what those numbers actually break down to, and where the real variation comes from.

Average price ranges by area (2026)

London and the South East are most expensive: £40–£55 a night is normal in central London, £35–£45 in commuter towns like Reading, St Albans or Brighton. Most of the Midlands, the North and Scotland sit between £28 and £38. Wales, the North East and rural areas are cheapest, with £22–£32 the norm. These are home-boarding figures — kennels are usually £18–£28 a night anywhere, but the experience is very different.

What pushes a price up

Five things shift a quote: the dog's size (XL breeds are often +£5–£10/night), special needs (puppies under six months and dogs on medication usually cost more), holiday-season surcharges (Christmas and August are typically +20%), how close the boarder is to a high-demand area, and whether the licence is a 4 or 5-star rating from the council. Boarders rated 5 stars by their council can normally charge £5–£10/night more than a 3-star equivalent.

What's normally included

A standard home-boarding night should include two walks, all meals (you provide the food), constant company, and a sleeping arrangement inside the home. Anything beyond that — administering medication, solo walks for reactive dogs, transport to and from drop-off, grooming — is normally a small per-day add-on.

How to avoid overpaying

Book outside school holidays when you can — same boarder, often £8–£10/night cheaper. Ask if there's a multi-night discount (5+ nights usually saves 10%). And don't assume the cheapest is bad: a licensed 5-star boarder charging £30 in Sunderland is often a better choice than an unlicensed sitter charging £45 in Camden.

Booking direct vs through a platform

Marketplace platforms typically add 15–20% commission on top of the boarder's quoted rate, which is why the same boarder is cheaper if you find them directly. Directories like RogersPets list boarders for free and never take a cut, so the price you see is the price you pay your sitter.