There are many reasons you may find yourself looking for doggy daycare. Maybe you have an unpredictable work schedule or an especially long workday coming up, or a dog who suffers from separation anxiety. Perhaps you have a young puppy who can’t be left alone for long, or a high-energy friend who needs more exercise. Daycare for pups can be a great solution. But how much does doggy daycare cost?
According to recent Rover data about the costs of pet parenthood, dog guardians can expect to pay around $40 a day for dog daycare. However, this number is just an average—actual costs can vary widely based on location, services provided, and your dog’s specific needs. We review the different costs and types of doggy daycare, so you can find the right fit for your pup and your wallet.
Cost of Dog Daycare by Service Type
| Daycare Type | Low-End Cost | High-End Cost |
| Dog daycare facilities | $35 | $50 |
| Private dog daycare | $40 | $65 |
| In-home dog daycare | $50 | $75 |
Dog daycare facilities
The average cost of doggy daycare at a traditional facility is $35 for a full day. This standard style of daycare often focuses on social activities and provides a large supervised (indoor or outdoor) environment where your dog can play with their friends or rest during the day.
Pros. Traditional dog daycare prices are usually the most affordable. Some doggy daycare providers will give discounts for weekly or monthly care. Sometimes, providers will also offer a small discount for half days rather than whole days—though it’s unlikely to be 50% less than full price.
These types of daycare facilities provide excellent opportunities for social butterflies to get their social needs met, and for high-energy pups to exercise and blow off some steam while their pet parents are gone during the day.
To consider. Some dogs will need more personalized care than what’s offered at traditional daycare providers. Depending on the vetting process and supervision at the facility, your pup could also pick up unwanted behaviors from other dogs. Some pups become overstimulated or hyper-aroused if break times aren’t enforced.
Dogs at these larger providers will also be at a higher risk of developing illnesses, like kennel cough, or a physical injury during play.
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Private dog daycare
The average cost of private dog daycare is $40 a day. This type of daycare takes place in a pet sitter’s home, usually with a small group of other dogs.
Pros. Private dog daycare can be great for social but selective dogs who prefer playing with just a few friends. Your pup is also more likely to get more attention and individualized care, since the playgroups will be much smaller.
To consider. This option can be more challenging to access, as sitters likely only take a handful of dogs at a time and space may be limited. They may also not be close to where you live, especially if you’re in the city and they provide more outdoor space to accommodate multiple dogs.
In-home dog daycare
The average cost of in-home doggy daycare is $50 a day. In this type of daycare, a private sitter comes to your home to watch your dog for a set amount of time.
Pros. With in-home dog daycare, your pup’s daily routine is the least disrupted. They’ll have the sitter’s full attention and undivided care, which can be especially helpful for high-needs and senior dogs that do best in their own environments.
To consider. This dog daycare option is the most expensive. Since you’ll be relying on the sitter to come to your home, you’ll also need to vet your options until you find someone you can trust to be in your personal space.
iStock/chayakorn lotongkum
What Does Dog Daycare Cost in My Area?
| City | State | Average Cost |
| Santa Monica | CA | $59 |
| Boston | MA | $51 |
| Bellevue | WA | $48 |
| New York | NY | $45 |
| Chicago | IL | $38 |
| Dallas | TX | $35 |
| Durham | NC | $32 |
| Saint Paul | MN | $30 |
| Omaha | NE | $28 |
Doggy daycare providers have bills to pay, too—so in desirable locations with higher living costs, expect the price of doggy daycare to be higher as well.
In our research, we found the highest cost for daycare in cities with the highest rent and cost of living. Our data also showed that the top 10 cities that paid the most in doggy daycare were located on the East or West Coast, while many cities that spent the least were in the Midwest and South. For example, Santa Monica, California, topped the list with an average cost of $59 per day, while Omaha, Nebraska, paid the least in doggy daycare at $28 a day.
Larger and major cities also tend to be more expensive than smaller cities and rural areas. But some of the most populated cities, like New York, Chicago, and Dallas, fell more in the mid-range price. That’s likely because the demand is lower since pet parents have many more choices and easier access to doggy daycares around where they live than, say, Durham, North Carolina.
When Dog Daycare Costs Extra
Doggy daycare can involve anything from a few hours of walking and attention to outdoor adventures and grooming. Doggy daycare providers often start with a base rate for the day. From there, they’ll charge additional fees when dogs need extra attention or when they’re caring for a very young or senior dog with special needs. Here are a few common factors that can increase the cost of doggy daycare.
Additional services
Life can get busy, and if your doggy daycare provider can offer additional services while your dog is in their care, it could save you time.
For instance, some daycare facilities or private sitters may also provide grooming services. Expect to pay an additional $10-$15 for nail trims and anywhere between $25 to $75 for full grooms.
Other daycares or sitters might require dogs in their care to have specific skills, like politely walking on a leash or being able to rest calmly in a crate. If your dog doesn’t have these skills and you’d like them to, you can choose specific daycare services that include dog training as part of their daily fee or have it as an additional option. Training ranges from $25 to $35 for 30-minute sessions during daycare hours.
Better ratio of humans to dogs
Expect to pay between $5-$15 more for daycare providers that offer a smaller ratio of humans to dogs. Fewer dogs per staff usually looks like one member for every five or ten dogs. These smaller groups can be a fantastic way to ensure your dog is well-supervised and safe. They’re also better set up so sitters and staff can closely watch behavior and body language and intervene when play with other dogs gets sticky.
iStock/Foto Zlatko
Puppies
Puppies are adorable. They also require much more attention and care as they develop their big little brains and learn to interact with the world around them. Added costs for puppies at dog daycare are generally $5-$10 more per day.
For young puppies who haven’t had their complete rounds of vaccines, private daycare services in your home with sitters who have experience with the struggles and joys of puppyhood are generally the best way to go if it’s in your budget.
Attending daycare at a traditional facility might benefit older puppies and adolescents in terms of socialization. But you’ll want to check that the pup-to-human ratio is small and that staff are attentive and well-versed in body language. Puppies are highly impressionable, so you’ll want to ensure they have a positive experience during daycare.
High-energy dogs
Some dogs just have abundant energy. Along with playtime with their buddies, these pups will need more savvy solutions to burn off steam and meet their needs. Traditional daycare providers are best suited for these dogs, offering built-in access to amenities like swimming pools, agility equipment, and specialized training sessions to work their brains.
Additional services for your energetic dog run around $10 more for each activity.
Anxious and reactive dogs
Not every dog will like traditional doggy daycare, and that’s okay. It just means your daycare budget might need to be a little bigger. In general, you can expect to pay $10-$20 more a day for specialized care for anxious and reactive dogs.
Anxious and reactive dogs will likely do better with a private sitter than at a big facility, though some traditional daycares will have trained staff on hand to take care of high-needs dogs. They may also offer more one-on-one care in the form of private rooms, solo walks, and separate dog runs and yards for your sensitive pup.
Nervous pups, dogs with separation anxiety, and reactive dogs do better with routine, so staying on their home turf with a private sitter is generally the best option. Some reactive dogs, however, are still dog-friendly and selectively social, so private daycare at a sitter’s house may also work if everyone’s on board and taking special care.
Seniors and dogs with medical needs
Sweet seniors and dogs who require specific medical care will typically need more attention than what traditional doggy daycares provide. Specialized care for seniors and dogs with medical needs costs $5-$10 more a day.
For example, your dog may have to follow a special diet, and since they may get fed in doggy daycare or require specific treats, you’ll want extra attention during mealtime and activities. Your dog may also need to take daily medications, or you may have a senior with mobility issues who will be more comfortable in a home environment.
Taxi services and tips
Some daycare providers will offer “taxi services” to and from their facilities. Likewise, private daycares may also pick up or drop off your dog for an added fee. Pet sitters who come to your home have probably already built the travel costs into their daily fees. These extra doggy delivery costs can add about $10 to the daily rate. You may also be especially pleased with the care your dog is receiving and want to show your appreciation. Generally, the rule of thumb for tipping is to give 10-20% of the daily daycare fee.
iStock/Daisia Grafton
Is Dog Daycare Worth It?
Doggy daycare can be a great solution for busy pet parents who need extra help caring for their pups during the day. Traditional facilities work especially well to meet the needs of high-energy and highly social dogs, while private daycare and sitters can ease worried pet parents’ minds if they have a nervous or reactive dog who struggles being home alone.
Still, your dog might not need or enjoy daycare, and you might not have the budget for it. If your dog does well at home alone, consider hiring a dog walker or asking a friend, neighbor, or family member to drop in throughout the day instead. Some trainers also offer day training sessions, which involve coming to your house or taking your dog on outings to practice building specific behaviors and skills.
So, final call: Is dog daycare worth it? It can be, but your dog can also have their needs met and experience fulfilled days without it!
