Pet Sitter vs Boarding Calculator
Enter days away, pet count and your local rates. The calculator totals both roads - the sitter visit math and the per-night kennel bill - and names the hidden costs each one hides.
The comparison trips everyone up because the two options price differently: sitters charge per visit and give multi-pet discounts, kennels charge per animal per night with no discounts and vaccine paperwork. One pet for a weekend tips one way; two pets for a week tips the other - and the crossing point is arithmetic, not guesswork.
How to use
- Days away first, travel days included - kennels charge them all.
- Pet count: sitters add about 30 percent per extra pet, kennels add 100 percent.
- Local day rates: sitter per visit, boarding per night - both fit in one field as sitter/boarding. The verdict updates live.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pet sitter cost per visit?
National norms run 20-30 dollars for a 30-minute visit, with about 30 percent added per additional pet in the same home. A standard two-visits-a-day week for one pet lands near 350 dollars - the calculator converts your local rate and trip length into the real total.
How much does boarding a dog cost?
About 40-50 dollars per animal per night at mainstream kennels, more in big cities, plus required vaccines and sometimes pickup fees. Two pets for a week runs 560-700 dollars before extras - which is why multi-pet homes usually tip back to sitters.
When is boarding actually the better choice?
Short trips with one social dog: the per-night rate undercuts a three-visit sitting schedule, and some dogs genuinely enjoy the play yard. Under about four days with one pet, boarding usually wins on price alone - the calculator finds the crossover for your rates.
What hidden costs does each option hide?
Sitters add holiday surcharges of 20-40 percent around Christmas and New Year; kennels require vaccine records, charge medication-administration fees, and some bill pickup days. Cats pay a stress tax in boarding that shows up as vet bills later - the note on this page prices what it can and flags what it cannot.