How much does pet daycare cost? A complete guide to pricing and choosing the right service

There are more situations than you might expect where you can’t bring your dog along — sudden errands, medical appointments, weddings, and funerals, to name a few. Pet daycare services are a lifesaver in these moments, but many pet owners find themselves wondering, “How much does it actually cost?” and “Where can I safely leave my pet?” In this article, we cover everything you need to know, from typical dog daycare pricing to how to choose the service that’s right for you. Use this as a reference to help you feel confident when entrusting your beloved family member to someone else’s care.

If you’re looking for a trustworthy pet sitter, start by checking out a professional service.

🐾 What are the typical pet hotel rates?

Pet daycare rates vary significantly depending on where you board your pet and their size. As a general guide, small dogs cost around ¥500 to ¥1,500 per hour, medium-sized dogs around ¥800 to ¥2,000 per hour, and large dogs around ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 per hour. Many facilities also offer half-day and full-day plans, with half-day rates (4–5 hours) typically ranging from ¥2,000 to ¥4,000, and full-day rates from ¥3,500 to ¥7,000.

Here are the main factors that affect pricing:

• Dog size: Rates increase incrementally across small, medium-sized, and large dog categories
• Duration of care: Facilities offer hourly and daily rates, with longer stays generally having a lower per-hour cost
• Services included: Whether walks, meals, grooming, and other extras are part of the package
• Location and facility grade: Urban areas and well-equipped facilities tend to charge more
• Peak season surcharges: Many facilities add extra fees during New Year holidays and Golden Week

Understanding these factors will help you find a facility that fits your budget.

🐾 Pet sitters as an alternative: a detailed comparison with pet hotels

More and more people are choosing in-home pet sitters these days.

With benefits like less stress for your pet in their familiar surroundings and no need for drop-off and pick-up trips, it’s a service that’s getting a lot of attention.

Consider your pet’s personality and your own needs to decide which option is the best fit.

🐾 What to look for when comparing pet daycare prices

When comparing pet daycare prices, it’s important to look beyond the numbers and carefully review what’s actually included. Even services labeled “daycare” can vary widely in what they offer from one facility to the next. Use the checklist below to make a well-rounded decision.

1. What’s included in the base rate: Does it cover food, water refills, and basic playtime?
2. Additional fees: Are there extra charges for walks, treats, or bringing your own care supplies?
3. Cancellation policy: When do same-day cancellation fees kick in?
4. Vaccination records: Is proof of vaccination required?
5. Emergency procedures: What’s the communication plan if your pet feels unwell, and is there a partnered animal hospital?

Beyond pet shops, there are also daycare services attached to animal hospitals, dedicated pet hotels, and independent pet sitters to choose from. Understanding the strengths of each will help you pick the service that best suits your dog’s personality and health needs. For dogs with chronic conditions or senior dogs in particular, choosing a facility affiliated with an animal hospital can provide extra peace of mind in case of emergencies.

🐾 How to prepare before using a daycare service

A little preparation goes a long way before dropping your dog off at daycare. The most important thing is to have your rabies vaccination certificate and combination vaccine records ready. Almost every facility will ask to see these, so make sure they’re up to date. Bringing your dog’s regular food and treats can also help reduce the stress of being in a new environment.

Here’s a handy packing list to help you get ready:

• Vaccination certificates (rabies and combination vaccines)
• Your dog’s usual food and treats (pre-portioned into individual servings for convenience)
• A favorite toy or blanket (items with a familiar scent can be comforting)
• Leash and collar (having a spare set is a good idea)
• Any current medications along with dosage instructions
• Emergency contact information and your regular animal hospital details

If it’s your first time using a facility, we recommend scheduling a tour in advance. Being able to see the staff’s approach, the cleanliness of the facility, and how other dogs are managed with your own eyes will give you the confidence to make a good decision.

If you’d like to get started with pet care the easy way, try an online booking service.

🐾 Facility-based vs. in-home: which should you choose?

When weighing pet daycare costs and services, choosing between “dropping off at a facility” or “having someone come to your home” is also an important consideration. Facility-based services offer the advantage of well-equipped environments with trained staff and socialization opportunities with other dogs. On the other hand, in-home services (pet sitters) let your dog stay comfortably in their familiar home environment with no travel stress.

In-home services are especially well-suited if:

• Your pet is sensitive to environmental changes and gets stressed easily when going out
• Your pet is elderly or has a medical condition, making travel itself a risk
• You have a multi-pet household and boarding all of them at a facility would be costly
• You have cats or other pets that strongly dislike travel and need simultaneous care

Services like Fluv, a pet sitter matching platform, connect you with vetted sitters who visit your home and send real-time photo reports. Some platforms even offer quality guarantees, making them a reassuring alternative on par with — or even better than — facility-based options.

🐾 6 recommended pet sitters

Here are some recommended pet sitters available mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Keep these in mind when you need daycare for your beloved pet.

訪問シッター

あすか🐶Asuka🐱English ok🐶🐱

わんちゃんねこちゃんお留守番サポート

5.0 (46)

詳細を見る

訪問シッター

ざき🐾

【訪問シッター】ご自宅お留守番サポート

5.0 (13)

詳細を見る

訪問シッター

れいな🐶Reyna | English ok

Pet Sitter🐶🐱

5.0 (69)

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訪問シッター

Tsuki

わんにゃんお留守番サポート（渋谷区・世田谷区・中野区）

5.0 (11)

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訪問シッター

yuzuペットシッター(English OK)

Pet sitter

5.0 (4)

詳細を見る

お散歩代行

koko🐾

【世田谷区】お散歩代行🐶

5.0 (18)

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🔍 Frequently asked questions

Q: What is the average cost for dog daycare?

A: For small dogs, the typical rate is around ¥500 to ¥1,500 per hour. Rates increase with size — large dogs generally cost between ¥1,000 and ¥3,000 per hour. Many facilities offer half-day and full-day plans, so choosing the right plan based on your needs can help keep costs down.

Q: What happens if my pet gets sick during daycare?

A: Most facilities will contact the owner as soon as any health concerns are noticed and arrange a visit to a partnered animal hospital if needed. Since emergency procedures vary by facility, be sure to confirm them before leaving your pet. It’s also important to provide the facility with your regular animal hospital’s contact information.

Q: Are there ways to save on pet daycare costs?

A: Using facilities that offer multi-visit passes or membership discounts is a great strategy. Some facilities also offer weekday discounts, so if your schedule is flexible, weekday visits can save you money. Compare rates across multiple facilities and check what’s included in the base price to get the best overall value.

Q: Are there age restrictions for daycare?

A: Most facilities do not accept puppies under 4 months old whose vaccinations are not yet complete. Policies for senior dogs vary by facility. If your dog has a chronic condition or requires special care, consider a facility affiliated with an animal hospital or an in-home pet sitter service that offers personalized attention.

Q: Can cats and other small animals use daycare services too?

A: While there are fewer options compared to dogs, some facilities do accept cats, rabbits, ferrets, and other small animals. For cats, choosing a facility where they’re kept in a separate space from dogs can help reduce stress. Small animals may need specialized care, so it’s important to pick a facility with relevant experience.