In short: You have five realistic options: a friend or family member, home boarding with a sitter, a licensed boarding kennel, a house sitter who stays in your home, or taking your dog with you. The RSPCA says the best option is a friend or family member, then a pet sitter or a boarding establishment. In the UK, home boarding typically costs £25 to £55 a night and a house sitter £30 to £65. Whatever you choose, visit first and check the licence.
The right answer depends more on your dog than on the price. A confident, sociable dog may enjoy a busy kennel. A nervous or older dog, or one that has never spent a night away from you, will usually cope better in a home. This guide compares the options side by side, then covers the checks that matter for each.
Petme prices in this table come from our UK pet sitter cost guide. The kennel example is Old Station Kennels in Melton Mowbray, which publishes £30 per dog per night before winter and bank holiday extras.
Your options at a glance
| Option | Best for | Typical UK cost | Check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friend or family | Dogs that know the person well | Usually free or a thank-you | They can manage walks, feeding and any medication |
| Home boarding | Dogs that like company and a home routine | £25 to £55 a night, £40 to £70 in London | Council licence in England, other dogs in the home, a meet before the stay |
| Boarding kennel | Confident dogs used to kennels | Varies by kennel, for example £30 per dog per night at one Leicestershire kennel | Licence and star rating, vaccinations including kennel cough, a visit |
| House sitter | Nervous or older dogs, multi-pet homes | £30 to £65 a night | References, a handover of your dog's routine, who to call in an emergency |
| Take your dog | Dogs that travel well | Depends on the trip | Dog-friendly accommodation, travel rules and the journey itself |
Ask a friend or family member first
The RSPCA puts a friend or family member at the top of its list for a reason: your dog already knows them, and you know how they will look after your dog. It works best when the person can stay with your dog or have your dog stay with them, rather than popping in once a day. Write down feeding amounts, walk routes, your vet's details and anything your dog is scared of, even if they have looked after your dog before.Home boarding with a sitter
Home boarding means your dog stays in a sitter's own home. It feels closer to normal life than a kennel: one carer and a sofa rather than a run. It suits dogs that like company and settle well with new people. In England, providing home boarding for dogs as a business is a licensable activity under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, so ask a home boarder to show you their council licence. Ask how many other dogs will be there and whether your dog will be left alone at any point. Browse dog boarding in the UK on Petme, where each sitter shows their own nightly rate.Boarding kennels
A good kennel is a safe, structured option for a dog that is used to it. PDSA's advice is to research carefully, visit the premises in person before you book, and check the business is licensed by the local council. In England, look at the star rating on the licence: PDSA recommends five stars, the highest. Two practical points from PDSA catch owners out. Unvaccinated dogs will not be allowed to stay, and you should not leave vaccinations until the last minute, especially kennel cough. And good kennels fill up first over the summer and at Christmas, so book early. If you are travelling over the festive period, our guide to Christmas dog boarding lists real kennel holiday surcharges.A house sitter in your own home
With house sitting, the sitter moves into your home while you are away. Your dog keeps its own bed, garden and walks, which makes this the gentlest option for nervous or older dogs, dogs with medication, and homes with more than one pet. It typically costs £30 to £65 a night in the UK. See holiday pet sitting for sitters near you.Why drop-in visits are not enough for a dog
Drop-in visits work well for cats, but not for a dog left overnight. Dogs Trust's guidance is clear: dogs shouldn't be left alone for more than four hours. A dog left between visits all night and most of the day is alone far longer than that. If you are away overnight, your dog needs someone with them, whether that is a home boarder, a kennel or a house sitter.Dog sitter or kennels: how to decide
- Temperament. Nervous, noise-sensitive or very attached dogs usually do better in a home. Confident, sociable dogs can do well in either.
- Age and health. Older dogs and dogs on medication often cope better with one carer and a quiet routine.
- Other pets. If you also have a cat or other animals, a house sitter can cover everyone in one booking.
- Length of the trip. For a long trip, a trial night first tells you how your dog settles.
- Budget. Home boarding and kennels can cost a similar amount per night, so compare the total for your dates rather than assuming one is cheaper.
Before you go: a short checklist
- Vaccination record, including kennel cough, and your vet's name and number.
- Your dog's usual food, measured out, so their diet stays the same.
- A familiar bed, blanket or toy.
- Written routines: feeding times, walks, commands, fears and habits.
- A contact who can make decisions if you cannot be reached.
- A trial stay before a long trip. See our pet sitter trial run guide.
Frequently asked questions about leaving your dog when you go on holiday
What should I do with my dog when I go on holiday?
Ask a friend or family member first, then choose between home boarding, a licensed kennel and a house sitter. The RSPCA lists a friend or family member as the best option, followed by a pet sitter or a boarding establishment, and advises visiting any boarder before you choose.
Is a dog sitter better than kennels?
A dog sitter is usually better for nervous, older or very attached dogs, because they get one carer and a home routine. A good, licensed kennel suits confident dogs that are used to it. Visit either option before you book and check the council licence.
Is home boarding cheaper than kennels in the UK?
Not necessarily, because the two often cost a similar amount per night. Home boarding typically runs £25 to £55 a night across the UK, while kennel prices are set by each business, such as £30 per dog per night at Old Station Kennels in Leicestershire before extras.
Can I leave my dog alone overnight?
No. Dogs Trust's guidance is that dogs shouldn't be left alone for more than four hours, and an overnight absence is far longer. If you are away for a night or more, arrange a home boarder, a kennel, a house sitter or someone your dog knows to stay with them.
How far ahead should I book dog care for a holiday?
Book as soon as your dates are fixed, especially for the school summer holidays and Christmas. PDSA notes that good boarding places get fully booked at busy times, and kennels will not take unvaccinated dogs, so leave time to update vaccinations such as kennel cough.
