As a pet owner with cats or dogs, there are times when you can’t bring your pet along on extended trips or business travel. While we can easily book a flight and hotel for ourselves, what about our dogs and cats?
What’s the going rate for a pet hotel? How do you choose a trustworthy one? Where can you find reviews and recommendations? Did you know there are now services that look after your pet at home without putting them in a cage?
This time, we’ll walk you through how to choose between pet hotels and pet sitters!
Which option is best for your pet?
If you don’t have relatives or friends nearby who can look after your pet, you’ll need to use a pet hotel — but how much does it cost? While it’s hard to generalize, research shows that depending on the location, your pet’s size, and the services offered, pet hotel rates range from ¥5,000 to ¥20,000 per night. As a pet owner, it’s very important to figure out which option is the best fit for your cat or dog.
What factors affect pet hotel pricing?
Several key factors influence pet hotel pricing.
First, location. If you live in a major city or tourist area, nearby pet hotels and boarding facilities tend to charge more due to higher demand. Conversely, even if you live in a rural area or small town outside a major city, pet hotel rates may still be on the higher side due to fewer options. With less competition, boarding providers can more easily set higher prices.
Next, your pet’s size also affects the price. Cats are relatively consistent in size, but for medium-sized and large dogs in particular, size impacts the rate.
However, the most important factor is the type of boarding you choose. Depending on your pet’s situation and how much you’re willing to spend, the type of service you select will have the biggest impact on the overall cost.
- Prices tend to be higher in urban areas. For example, rates are higher in central Tokyo.
- Prices also vary by your pet’s size and build — larger pets cost more.
- The boarding style also affects the price. Options include caged, free-roaming, one-on-one, and one-to-many arrangements.
What types of pet boarding are available?
Pet boarding services generally fall into three main categories.
1. Standard cage-style pet hotels
Image source: Hirakata Pet (Hotel)
Cage-style pet hotels are the most common and basic form of pet boarding. Many pet hotels operate this way, and it’s the most well-known option. Cage-style pet hotels provide basic care: meals, water, 1–2 walks or play sessions per day, and sometimes time to interact with other dogs and cats. At bedtime, pets are typically placed in a cage or small enclosed space. If you need extra walks or play time, there’s usually an additional fee.
Price: While rates vary slightly, most cage-style pet hotels charge between ¥3,000 and ¥7,000 per night.
What kind of pets and owners are suited to cage-style pet hotels?
- Pets that get along well with other dogs, are healthy, don’t need constant supervision, are spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and aren’t anxious or timid.
- Pets that are crate-trained.
- Pets with low activity levels that don’t need a lot of space.
- Owners on a budget who want a more affordable boarding option.
2. Cage-free luxury pet hotels
Image source: THE KENNELS TOKYO
If you’re looking for a high-end, luxurious experience, a premium pet hotel is the way to go. These are specially designed for sociable dogs that don’t do well in cages. Typically, these pet hotels provide dogs with their own room, bed, and air conditioning — some even have TVs. Many luxury pet hotels also feature 24-hour surveillance cameras, pools, and exercise areas, making it feel like your dog is enjoying a vacation more comfortable than your own.
Price: Luxury pet hotel rates start from ¥16,000 per night.
These pet hotels tend to fill up quickly, so you’ll need to book at least 1–2 months in advance.
What kind of pets and owners are suited to luxury pet hotels?
- Pets that get along with other dogs, are healthy, don’t need constant supervision, are neutered, vaccinated, and aren’t anxious or timid.
- Pets that are comfortable sleeping in a crate and used to sleeping alone in a small space at a pet hotel.
- Owners with a generous budget who can book in advance and arrange drop-off/pick-up. Owners who want to check on their pet via 24-hour surveillance cameras.
Many animal hospitals also offer pet boarding services.
Image source: Seki Animal Hospital
For pet owners, boarding at an animal hospital might seem like a good option since your pet is already familiar with the vet — especially for pets on medication. However, American veterinarian Dr. Ken Tudor notes that this isn’t always the best care for dogs.
“Many animal hospital boarding facilities primarily use traditional, cold metal cages. For animal hospitals, medication administration and surgery are the top priorities, and these facilities are better suited for short-term care.”
Price: Prices for boarding at an animal hospital vary widely by location, but generally start from ¥3,500.
3. In-home pet sitters
Image source: Fluv’s home-based pet boarding
In recent years, the most popular pet boarding option is “home-based pet boarding services“ found through platforms. This concept has been popular in Western countries for about 10 years. Your pet stays at an individual pet sitter’s home, is treated like their own pet, and can relax on the furniture and cuddle freely. This boarding style is ideal for pets that feel anxious being confined with many other dogs and cats, and for owners who want customized one-on-one care for their pet.
For pets, their own home is the most comfortable place — and the next most comfortable is someone else’s home.
About Fluv’s home-based pet boarding service
What kind of pets and owners are a good fit for “home-based cage-free pet boarding“?
- Timid, sensitive, anxious, affectionate dogs that feel most secure sleeping near people.
- Pets with special care needs: raw food diets, heart conditions, epilepsy, arthritis, unvaccinated, senior dogs, puppies, etc.
- Pets that don’t do well in cages: healthy, active, playful dogs that need frequent walks or lots of space.
- Owners who value great cost-performance: those who want regular updates on their pet’s condition.
Additional options for pet boarding
Many facilities offer add-on services such as pick-up/drop-off, walks, playtime, and grooming. However, the following types of pets may be declined:
・Pets that don’t get along with other animals
・Unvaccinated or unneutered pets
・Very old or very young pets
・Pets that bark excessively or have separation anxiety
With home-based pet boarding services, most services other than pick-up/drop-off are included in the base rate, and drop-off/pick-up times can be flexibly arranged.
Pet boarding service comparison chart
We’ve prepared an easy-to-understand comparison chart showing the differences between cage-style pet hotels, luxury cage-free pet hotels, animal hospitals, and home-based cage-free pet boarding. Use it to find the best option for you and your pet based on your needs.
| Feature | Standard cage-style pet hotel | Luxury cage-free or private room pet hotel | Animal hospital | Pet sitter or home-based cage-free boarding |
| Boarding environment | Pets must stay in a cage or small confined space | Offers more spacious boarding areas, some with suite-style rooms | Cage or hospital room-style facilities focused on medical care and treatment | Free-roaming environment within a home, no cages |
| Price | Relatively affordable and budget-friendly | Expensive but offers luxurious options | Prices vary depending on services and treatments (usually expensive) | Flexible pricing based on services and duration |
| Cleanliness | Cages and areas are cleaned regularly | High standards of cleanliness and hygiene, with regular cleaning of boarding areas | Medical-grade cleanliness and hygiene, managed by professional cleaning staff | Cleanliness depends on the individual home environment. Sitters take careful care |
| Individual attention | Often limited, as one staff member cares for multiple pets | Relatively more individual attention, though one person may care for around 5 pets | Focus is on medical care, with individual attention limited to treatment | One-on-one care with close, personal attention and the ability to accommodate special needs |
| Service hours | Fixed opening and closing hours in most cases | Extended service hours, some offer 24-hour service | Fixed business hours, but emergency treatment available 24 hours | Flexible scheduling based on client needs, 24-hour service also available |
| Medical services | No medical services provided, but basic care is available | Medical services are usually not provided, but basic first aid is possible | Comprehensive veterinary services including diagnosis and treatment | No medical services provided, but basic care is available. Quick response in emergencies |
| Best suited for | Short trips or outings on a limited budget | Short or long trips requiring high-quality service | Pets needing health check-ups, vaccinations, or emergency treatment | Pets that need individual care or have special needs, affectionate or introverted pets, owners away for travel or work |
How to choose the best pet boarding service
No matter which option you choose, the most important thing is feeling confident that your pet is in trustworthy hands.
If you have time, visit the Fluv website to check ratings and reviews for each service, or easily book a free online consultation. You can also arrange a free meet-and-greet with a sitter to try the experience firsthand.
If possible, try leaving your pet for a trial stay a few days before the actual boarding to help them adjust, or take advantage of a free home visit. If it’s not a good fit, you’ll still have time to explore other boarding options.
🐾 Protecting the bond between you and your cat
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That’s why your beloved family member deserves a trustworthy cat sitter.
With the Fluv app, you can make a choice that brings peace of mind and love to both you and your cat.
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