Pricing your dog boarding services correctly balances profitability with competitiveness. This guide covers proven pricing strategies for boarding facilities.
📊 Crunch your numbers: Use our free Pet Business Revenue Calculator to model your facility’s income and profit across all your services — with seasonal demand and capacity planning included.
Dog Boarding Pricing Models
Per-Night Pricing
The most common model. Charge a flat rate for each night of boarding.
Typical rates (UK):
- Basic kennel: £20-35/night
- Premium kennel: £35-50/night
- Luxury suite: £50-80+/night
Pros: Simple to understand, easy to quote Cons: Doesn’t account for variable costs
Tiered Pricing
Different rates based on accommodation type:
| Tier | Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Basic kennel, shared outdoor time | £20-30/night |
| Comfort | Larger space, more outdoor time | £30-40/night |
| Premium | Private suite, enrichment included | £40-55/night |
| Luxury | XL suite, webcam, premium add-ons | £55-80+/night |
Multi-Pet Discounts
Common discount structures:
- Second pet from same household: 10-20% off
- Third pet and beyond: 15-25% off
Creating Profitable Packages
Stay Packages
Bundle multiple nights at a discount:
- Weekend Package (Fri-Sun): 5-10% off
- Week Package (7 nights): 10-15% off
- Extended Stay (14+ nights): 15-20% off
Add-On Services
Increase revenue per booking with extras:
- Extra walks/playtime: £5-15/session
- Bath on departure: £15-35
- Nail trim: £10-15
- One-on-one enrichment: £10-20/session
- Photo/video updates: £5-10 (or included in premium)
- Late pickup: £15-25
Seasonal Pricing
Adjust for demand:
- Peak season (Christmas, summer holidays): 15-25% higher
- Off-peak (January, September): Regular or discounted
- Last-minute bookings: Premium for same-week bookings
Setting Your Prices
1. Calculate Your Costs
Know your true costs per boarding:
- Staff wages per occupied kennel
- Food and supplies
- Facility overhead (rent, utilities, insurance)
- Equipment depreciation
- Software and admin
2. Research Competitors
Check what others charge in your area:
- What’s the average rate?
- What’s included at each price point?
- Where does your facility fit?
3. Position Your Value
Don’t just compete on price. Highlight what makes you different:
- Staff-to-pet ratios
- Facility features
- Training and certifications
- Extras included in base rate
Common Pricing Mistakes
Undercharging: The most common mistake. Covering costs isn’t enough—you need profit margin.
Ignoring occupancy: High occupancy at low prices isn’t profitable. Sometimes fewer bookings at higher rates works better.
No deposit policy: Deposits reduce no-shows and improve cash flow.
Confusing pricing: Complex structures frustrate customers. Keep it clear.
Not raising prices: Costs increase annually. Your prices should too.
Deposits and Cancellations
Deposit Policies
- Require 25-50% deposit at booking
- Non-refundable for cancellations within 7-14 days
- Applies to final bill
Cancellation Fees
- 14+ days notice: Full refund
- 7-14 days: 50% fee
- Less than 7 days: Full charge
- No-show: Full charge, lose future booking privileges
Software for Pricing
Modern boarding software helps manage pricing:
- Automatic seasonal rate adjustments
- Package and discount calculations
- Add-on management
- Deposit collection at booking Explore Cattery Software for Cat Boarding Facilities solutions. Learn more about Dog Daycare Software. Check out Pet Grooming Software. See how Pet Sitting Software can help.
Related: Dog Boarding Software Guide | Kennel Software
