Dog boarding in Reading: the nightly price and what should come with it

In short: Petme sitters in Reading typically charge £30 to £48 a night for home boarding, among the higher rates outside London. Four nights cost £120 to £192, or £156 at the £39 midpoint. At those prices it is fair to ask exactly what a night includes, so most of this guide is the list of questions that tells you. Platform data as of October 2026. Reading is a commuter and business town. Its Wikipedia entry describes more people arriving for work in the morning peak than leaving, and a large tech employer base. If your boarding is booked around a work trip rather than a family holiday, what you need from it shifts: reliable updates, clear collection times and flexibility if a meeting overruns.

What a night of boarding should cover

Each sitter sets their own nightly rate, shown on their profile before you book. Kennels set their own prices too, often per dog per day. Either way, before you agree a figure, get clear answers on each of these. The baseline comes from the RSPCA's advice on boarding kennels and the PDSA's guidance on holiday care.

• Sleeping: does your dog get its own space, and who else sleeps in the house or block?
• Exercise: the RSPCA expects at least one walk a day outside the kennel. How many walks does this rate include, how long, and where?
• Time alone: if it is a home boarder who also works, how many hours a day will your dog be on its own?
• Food: will they use your dog's own food at its usual times?
• Medication: who gives it, when, and does it change the price?
• Updates: how often will you hear from them while you are away, and by what route?
• Handover: what are the drop-off and collection times, and what happens if your train is late?
• Paperwork: a vaccination record (the PDSA says unvaccinated pets will not usually be accepted) and the boarder's own licence.

If two quotes are £8 apart and one ticks every box while the other leaves out walks or updates, the dearer one is the better buy.

A four-night work trip, priced

You are away Monday to Friday for work, four nights, and book a home boarder at the £39 midpoint.

• 4 nights at £39 comes to £156.
• At the low end, 4 x £30 is £120. At the high end, 4 x £48 is £192.
• Owners pay a 0% booking fee on Petme, so the sitter's total is the bill.
• Cashback of £4.68 is credited after the completed booking.
• Typical platforms add a booking fee of about £17.16 on the same stay.

Drop your dog off the evening before you leave, and agree a Friday collection time with some slack in it.

Compare sitters on dog boarding in the UK. If you only need daytime help on office days, dog sitters in Reading cover walks and visits.

Where your dog will walk

Ask the sitter. A home boarder in Caversham or Tilehurst will have a regular route, and Reading has Christchurch Meadows and King's Meadow along the Thames, plus Forbury Gardens in the centre. If a sitter is just over the borough line in Earley or Woodley, note that those areas sit in Wokingham Borough, so their licence comes from a different council.

Checking the licence in Reading

In England, boarding dogs in kennels and providing home boarding for dogs as a business are both licensable under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. In the town, licences come from Reading Borough Council, which explains the scheme on its animal welfare licensing page. Each licence carries a star rating, five being the highest. Ask to see it. Petme also has the Protection Plan for eligible vet costs.

Reading dog boarding: FAQ

How much do dog kennels in Reading cost?

Kennels in and around Reading set their own prices, often per dog per day, so ask for a written total for your exact dates. Home boarding with a Petme sitter in Reading typically costs £30 to £48 a night for comparison.

How much is dog boarding in Reading per night?

Petme sitters in Reading typically charge £30 to £48 a night for home boarding, with £39 as the midpoint. Four nights cost £120 to £192. Each sitter's rate is shown on their profile before you book.

Are there boarding kennels in Reading, Berkshire?

Yes, there are licensed kennels and home boarders in and around Reading. Check the council licence and star rating, visit before you book, and ask what the price includes, especially walks and updates.

Is pet boarding in Reading licensed?

Boarding dogs as a business needs a licence in England, issued in the town by Reading Borough Council with a star rating where five is the highest. Sitters in Earley or Woodley are licensed by Wokingham Borough Council instead.