There are many reasons you may find yourself looking for dog day care. 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. Day care for pups can be a great solution. But how much does dog day care cost?
According to recent Rover data about the costs of pet parenthood, pet parents can expect to pay around £25 to £30 a day for dog day care. 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 dog day care, so you can find the right fit for your pup and your wallet.
Cost of Dog Day Care by Service Type
| Day care Type | Low-End Cost | High-End Cost | Puppy |
| Dog day care facilities | £25 | £30 | £57 |
Dog day care facilities
The average cost of dog day care at a traditional facility is £27.50 for a full day, ranging from around £25-£30. This standard style of day care 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 day care prices are usually the most affordable. Going by the standard daily rate (and accounting for the highest price), dog day care can cost £210 per week or £900 per month if you use the service every day.
However, some dog day care providers will give discounts for weekly or monthly care. Sometimes, providers will also offer a small discount for half days rather than full days, though it’s unlikely to be 50% off the full price.
These types of day care facilities provide excellent opportunities for social butterflies to meet their social needs and for high-energy dogs to exercise and blow off some steam with friends and fun equipment while their pet parents are away during the day.
To consider. Some dogs will need more personalised care than what’s offered at traditional day care providers. Depending on the facility’s vetting process and supervision, your dog could also pick up unwanted behaviours from others. Some pups become overstimulated or hyper-aroused if break times aren’t enforced.
Dogs at these larger providers will also be at higher risk of developing illnesses, such as kennel cough, or of sustaining physical injuries during play.
iStock/anothersteve
Private dog day care
Private dog day care takes place in a licensed pet sitter’s home, usually with a small group of other dogs.
Pros: Private dog day care can be great for social but selective dogs who prefer playing with just a few friends. It can also be a great form of day care for puppies who need socialisation. Your pup is also more likely to get more attention and individualised 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 day care
The average cost of in-home dog day care ranges from £31 to £55. In this type of day care, a private sitter comes to your home to watch your dog for a set amount of time.
Pros: In-home dog day care disrupts your dog’s daily routine the least. 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. They’ll also have all their own supplies and equipment right there.
To consider: This dog day care 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 Day Care Cost in My Area?
| City | Country | Average Cost |
| London | England | £28.59 |
| Birmingham | England | £25.00 |
| Reading | England | £25.00 |
| Leeds | England | £25.00 |
| Glasgow | Scotland | £24.00 |
| Cardiff | Wales | £25.00 |
| Sheffield | England | £25.00 |
| Liverpool | England | £24.00 |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | £25.00 |
| Nottingham | England | £25.00 |
| Leicester | England | £23.00 |
| Coventry | England | £24.00 |
| Southampton | England | £25.00 |
| Swansea | Wales | £25.00 |
| Portsmouth | England | £25.00 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | England | £24.00 |
Dog day care providers have bills to pay, too. In desirable locations with higher living costs, expect the price of dog day care to be higher as well.
Most cities across the UK charge £25, which is considered the “go-to” dog day care rate, although some cities like Leicester and Glasgow charge a little less.
However, as with many other services, London does poke above the others in terms of cost, clocking in at £28.59. Even so, when you consider how much being based in London can inflate the cost of products and services, it still sticks pretty close to the national average. For example, dog sitting is around 50% more expensive (£18) than in many other major cities (£12). Dog day care is just 14% more expensive in London than elsewhere.
This is good news if your dog is a fan of day care: it means that you can be pretty confident about what prices to expect and budget accordingly.
When Dog Day Care Costs Extra
Dog day care can involve anything from a few hours of walking and attention to outdoor adventures and grooming. 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 dog day care.
Additional services
Life can get busy, and if your dog day care provider can offer additional services while your dog is in their care, it could save you time.
For instance, some day care facilities or private sitters may also provide grooming services. Other day cares or sitters might require dogs in their care to have specific skills, such as politely walking on a lead or resting calmly in a crate. If your dog doesn’t have these skills and you’d like them to, you can choose specific day care services that include dog training as part of their daily fee or have it as an additional option.
Talk to your day care provider about behavioural expectations for your dog and the extra services they may be able to tack on.
Better ratio of humans to dogs
Expect to pay more for day care providers that offer a smaller ratio of humans to dogs. Fewer dogs per staff member usually means 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 behaviour 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 day care are generally £27 more per day.
For young puppies who haven’t had their full rounds of vaccines, private in-home day care services with sitters experienced with the struggles and joys of puppyhood are generally the best option if it’s within your budget.
Attending day care at a traditional facility might benefit older puppies and adolescents in terms of socialisation. But you’ll want to check that the dog-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 day care.
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 day care providers are best suited for these dogs, offering built-in access to amenities such as swimming pools, agility equipment, and specialised training sessions to keep their minds active.
Additional services for your energetic dog may incur an extra fee per activity. Ask your provider which activities are included and which are extra.
Anxious and reactive dogs
Not every dog will like traditional dog day care, and that’s okay. It just means your day care budget might need to be a little bigger. In general, you can expect to pay more for specialised care for anxious and reactive dogs.
Anxious and reactive dogs will likely do better with a private sitter than at a large facility, though some traditional day cares have trained staff on hand to care for high-needs dogs. They may also offer more one-on-one care through private rooms, solo walks, and separate dog runs and gardens 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 day care at a sitter’s house may also work if everyone’s on board and taking special care.
Seniors and dogs with medical needs
Specialised care for seniors and dogs with medical needs costs more than for younger, generally healthy dogs. Sweet seniors and dogs who require specific medical care will typically need more attention than traditional dog day cares provide.
For example, your dog may need a special diet, and since they may be fed at dog day care 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
Some day care providers will offer “taxi services” to and from their facilities. Likewise, private day cares 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 dog delivery costs can add to the daily rate.
You may also be especially pleased with the care your dog is receiving and want to show your appreciation. Generally, tipping isn’t expected, but giving a small token of appreciation or leaving a positive review are lovely ways to say thank you if a particular member of staff goes above and beyond, for example, during a medical emergency.
iStock/Daisia Grafton
Is Dog Day Care Worth It?
Dog day care 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 for high-energy, highly social dogs, while private day care and sitters can ease worried pet parents’ minds if they have a nervous or reactive dog that struggles with being home alone.
Still, your dog might not need or enjoy day care, 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, neighbour, 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 behaviours and skills.
So, final call: Is dog day care worth it? It can be, but your dog can also have their needs met and experience fulfilled days without it!
