Glossary

Dog boarding

Overnight care for a dog at a kennel, a pet hotel or a private home while its owners travel.

Also called: boarding kennel, dog kennel, pet hotel, dog hotel, home boarding, overnight boarding, kennel boarding, pet boarding

Dog boarding means paying someone to house and care for your dog while you are away. Options include a boarding kennel, a pet hotel with suites, a veterinary clinic and a private home where a host keeps a few dogs. Costs and the care provided differ widely.

Before you choose, visit and ask to see where the dog will sleep and play. Check that the staff are present overnight, how often dogs are walked, how dogs are separated and what happens in an emergency, and ask which vaccinations they require, since most places ask for proof. Look at cleanliness, ventilation and temperature, and check licensing, if your area requires it, as well as insurance.

Some dogs struggle in a group setting, and a quiet home boarder or a pet sitter may suit them better. Book early for holidays, and bring your dog's food, medicine, familiar bedding and your contact details. A trial stay first can help. For daytime care see dog daycare.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

In the index now

Related terms

Dog daycare A daytime service where dogs spend hours supervised in play groups or on their own, an option for owners who are at work. Pet sitter A person who looks after a dog in the owner's home, with drop-in visits or overnight stays, so the dog stays in a familiar setting. Dog walker A person paid to take a dog out for exercise and toilet breaks while the owner is away, either one-on-one or in a group. Dog groomer A professional who bathes, brushes, clips and trims dogs, in a salon, a mobile van or a clinic.