How to use the pet boarding cost calculator
- Enter the nights and the nightly rate for the first pet.
- Add daily extras per pet, such as a walk or play time, and the number of pets.
- In More options, set a different rate for each extra pet, any one-time fees and a tax rate if your invoice shows one.
- Read the headline for the total, and the stats for the cost per night and per pet.
Formula
lodging = nights x (first pet rate + extra pets x their rate)
extras = nights x daily extras x pets
total = lodging + extras + one-time fees + tax, with tax = subtotal x rate, rounded half up
If you leave the extra pet rate empty, every pet is charged the first pet's rate. Per-night and per-pet figures divide the total, so they include fees and tax.
5 nights at $45 with $10 a day in extras
Lodging is 5 x $45 = $225 and extras are 5 x $10 = $50, so the total is $275.00, which is $55.00 a night.
With two pets at the same rate, a $15 one-time fee and 7% tax: lodging is 5 x ($45 + $45) = $450, extras are 5 x $10 x 2 = $100, and with the fee the subtotal is $565.00. Tax is $39.55, so the total is $604.55, which is $120.91 a night and $302.28 per pet. If the second pet has a $38 rate, lodging is $415 and the subtotal is $530.
What to ask the facility
Boarding prices are rarely just a nightly rate. Ask how nights are counted (by the calendar day or by 24 hours), whether there is a checkout time after which another day is charged, and whether holidays cost more. Also ask what the daily extras include and whether medication, special food or a bath are separate charges.
Entering each charge as its own number lets you compare facilities fairly. A lower nightly rate with high add-ons can cost more than a higher rate that includes the extras.
Planning the rest of the trip
Boarding is one line of a trip budget. See the Trip Budget Planner for the others, the Annual Pet Cost Calculator for what a pet costs across a year, and the Babysitter and Pet Sitter Info Sheet if you would rather have someone come to the house.
Assumptions and limits
- Every night is charged at the rate you enter. Holiday rates, peak-season surcharges and late pickup fees are not modeled.
- Daily extras are charged per pet for every night.
- No tax rate is built in. Enter the rate on your invoice, or leave it at 0.
- Money is rounded to the cent, half up.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to board a dog?
It depends on where you live and the facility, so this page does not assume a price. Enter the quoted nightly rate, the nights and any extras. At $45 a night for 5 nights with $10 daily extras, the total is $275.
How do I work out the cost of boarding two pets?
Add the first pet's rate and the second pet's rate for each night, and charge daily extras for each pet. If the facility gives a discount for the second pet, enter its rate in the extra pet field.
Are nights or days charged?
It depends on the facility. Some charge by the night, and some by the calendar day with a checkout time. Ask before you book, and enter the number of billed units as the nights here.
Does the calculator include a deposit?
Only if you enter it in one-time fees. A deposit that is returned is not a cost of the stay, so leave it out unless it is kept. The total shows what you pay for the stay, not what you pay up front.