How Much Does Small Dog Boarding Cost? A 2026 Price & Value Guide
What you'll actually pay to board a small dog — kennels vs. in-home boarding, what's included, and how to judge value for toy breeds.
If you've started pricing out small dog boarding, you've probably seen a wide range — anywhere from $25 a night at a traditional kennel to $90+ for private, in-home care. The number alone doesn't tell the story; what matters for tiny breeds is what's bundled into that nightly rate and who else is in the building.
Traditional kennels typically run $30–$55 per night. That usually covers a run or crate, two basic feedings, and a handful of group potty breaks. Add-ons (medication, extra walks, playtime, bathing) are billed à la carte and can quietly double the bill by checkout.
Pet hotels and franchise daycares sit in the $50–$75 range. You get a cleaner facility and webcams, but small dogs are often grouped with much larger guests, and one-on-one attention is limited by staff ratios.
Private in-home boarding for small dogs — like our retreat — runs $65–$95 per night. The premium pays for a cage-free home environment, a hard 10-lb size cap so your dog is never overwhelmed by big-dog energy, all-day supervision, outdoor activities and walks, photo updates, and routine grooming touch-ups already included.
For toy breeds the value math is different than for a 60-lb Lab. Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Pomeranians, and Maltipoos are vulnerable to trachea injuries from rough play, hypoglycemia from skipped meals, and serious stress in loud kennel environments. A specialized small-dog setting reduces the risk of an emergency vet visit — which on its own usually costs more than an entire week of boarding.
When you compare quotes, ask four questions: What's the weight limit on other guests? Is play supervised and size-matched? Are meds, walks, and basic grooming included or extra? And how many dogs are on-site at one time? Those answers explain the price gap far better than the headline number does.
Our Small Dogs Resort rates start at $75/night for overnight stays and $55/day for daycare, with a 15%-off Mid-Week Residency package and a complimentary bath on Weekend Getaways. Everything tiny-breed specific — calm home setting, natural grass backyard, outdoor activities and walks, photo updates — is included, not an upsell.
