Best Dog Daycare Software for Small Businesses (2025 Comparison)

Running a dog daycare is a nonstop juggling act — drop-offs, playgroup rotations, staff ratios, vaccination checks, and a flood of messages from pet parents. The right dog daycare software turns that chaos into a smooth, repeatable workflow. In this guide, we compare the best dog daycare software for small and medium businesses in 2025, explain which features matter most, and show why many daycares choose PetCare.Software as their all-in-one platform.

Last updated: December 17, 2025

To build full topical authority and cross-service consistency, explore our related hubs: kennel software, dog boarding software, and cattery software.

What Great Daycare Software Should Do (SMB Checklist)

Daycare operations are different to boarding: higher repeat frequency, tighter ratio rules, and quick turnarounds. Prioritize software that supports:

• 24/7 online booking for recurring daycare passes and credits
• Playgroup & capacity management with staff-to-dog ratios
• Vaccination tracking (uploads + automated expiry reminders)
• Owner portal for self-service profile updates, e-sign waivers, and payments
• Packages/punch cards with auto-decrement and renewal prompts
• Automated reminders (email/SMS) for bookings, renewals, and pickups
• Attendance & check-in tools for fast mornings
• Reporting on utilization, revenue, and repeat customers
• Mobile-first UX for staff and pet parents on the go

Best Dog Daycare Software for Small Businesses (2025)

We’ve curated a shortlist that balances ease, features, and value for small to medium daycares. PetCare.Software is our recommended all-rounder for growth-focused teams.

Software	Starting Price*	Free Trial	Online Booking	Packages/Credits	Playgroup & Ratios	Vaccines	Owner Portal	Reminders
PetCare.Software	Tailored to SMBs	Yes	✓ Deposits & recurring	✓ Auto-decrement passes	✓ Capacity + ratio rules	✓ Uploads + auto-expiry	✓ E-sign + payments	✓ Email & SMS
Gingr	From $59/mo	Yes	✓	✓ Packages	✓ Groups	✓	✓	✓
Revelation Pets	From $39/mo	Yes	✓	✗ Limited	✗ Basic	✓	✓ Basic	✓
ProPet	From $50/mo	Yes	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
PetExec	From $69/mo	Yes	✓	✓	✓ Advanced	✓	✓	✓

*Pricing snapshots as of September 2025; confirm current rates on vendor sites.

Why Daycare Needs Different Features Than Boarding

Boarding prioritizes runs/suites and overnight stays; daycare is fast-paced and repetitive. The biggest operational differences:

• Recurring attendance: Weekly routines demand packages/credits and bulk scheduling.
• Ratios over rooms: Safety depends on staff-to-dog ratios and compatible playgroups.
• Speed at check-in: Mornings are intense; scanning, tap-to-check-in, and portal prework are critical.
• Communication volume: More frequent reminders, renewals, and behavior notes.

Software built with daycare in mind reduces friction, protects safety, and keeps utilization high.

Feature Deep-Dive (What to Look For)

1) Packages, Passes & Auto-Decrement

Daycare success depends on recurring visits. Your system should sell and track 5-, 10-, or monthly passes; decrement automatically at check-in; and prompt renewal before credits run out.

2) Playgroup, Capacity & Ratios

Define groups (e.g., Puppies, Small, Large, Seniors), set maximums, and enforce staff-to-dog ratios. Bonus points for temperament tags and “only with sibling” pairing.

3) Vaccination Tracking & Reminders

Owners upload certificates; the system warns about expiries well before the next visit — preventing awkward denials at the door.

4) Owner Portal & Mobile Experience

Self-service profile updates, waiver e-sign, package balances, and payment history. Everything should work beautifully on a phone.

5) Fast Check-In & Attendance

Search, scan, tap-to-check-in, and bulk actions for the morning rush. Notes and behavior flags should be visible at a glance.

6) Reminders & Renewals

Automated SMS/email for upcoming bookings, package balances, and renewal prompts. Smart templates save staff time.

7) Upsells & Add-Ons

Offer nail trims, enrichment sessions, or training at checkout or check-in. These small add-ons compound into meaningful revenue.

8) Reporting That Matters

Utilization by group/hour, revenue by product, repeat rate, and top customers. Export to CSV for accounting or marketing.

Vendor Snapshots (Short & Honest)

PetCare.Software (Recommended)

Best for SMBs that need true daycare features without complexity. Recurring online booking, auto-decrement packages, ratio-aware playgroups, fast check-in, vaccination uploads with automated reminders, owner portal with e-sign and payments, and actionable utilization reports. Clean mobile-first UX your team and clients will actually enjoy.

Book a Demo with PetCare.Software

Gingr

Powerful, popular, and flexible. Excellent for larger or multi-location daycares. Smaller teams may find the breadth more than they need at first.

Revelation Pets

Simple, affordable, and easy to learn. Great for basics; packages and ratio tools are lighter than daycare-first platforms.

ProPet

Solid all-in-one covering daycare, boarding, grooming, and retail. Good reporting; UI continues to improve.

PetExec

Feature-rich with POS/retail strengths. Robust daycare capabilities; onboarding may take a little longer for very small teams.

Pricing & ROI (Daycare Edition)

Expect SMB-friendly plans around $39–$69/month. The real ROI drivers:

• Time saved: Faster check-ins, fewer phone calls, automated renewals
• Higher utilization: Ratio-aware scheduling keeps groups safely near capacity
• Recurring revenue: Packages auto-renew before credits run out
• Add-on lift: Enrichment/training upsells increase revenue per visit

How to Choose (A 5-Step Process)

1. Map your day: From 7:30 a.m. drop-offs to late pickups. Identify bottlenecks.
2. Shortlist 2–3 platforms: Ensure they support packages, ratios, and rapid check-in.
3. Trial real tasks: Create a recurring booking, sell a 10-pass, check in 10 dogs, and run a utilization report.
4. Check support: Response times matter when mornings are hectic.
5. Plan to grow: Choose software that scales into boarding or kennel without switching.

Bottom Line

Great dog daycare software isn’t just about taking bookings — it’s about running safe, full, repeatable playgroups with minimal admin. Competitors cover parts of the puzzle, but PetCare.Software stands out for combining recurring online booking, packages, ratio-aware groups, and a lightning-fast check-in workflow in a clean, SMB-friendly interface.

Get Your Free Demo

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FAQs: Best Dog Daycare Software (2025)

What features are unique to daycare vs. boarding?

Packages/passes with auto-decrement, playgroup capacity with ratio rules, and lightning-fast check-in are daycare essentials. Boarding focuses more on runs/suites and overnight scheduling.

How do passes increase revenue?

Passes create recurring attendance and predictable cash flow. Auto-renew prompts ensure owners top up before credits run out.

Can I manage behavior notes and compatibility?

Yes. Look for temperament tags, sibling linking, and quick notes visible at check-in.

Do clients really use the portal?

Absolutely — especially on mobile. They book, renew passes, upload vaccines, and pay without calling the desk.

Which platform is best overall for small daycares?

PetCare.Software offers the strongest blend of recurring booking, packages, ratio controls, and fast check-in in a clean, easy interface.

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