What is a dog kennel & what are the alternatives?

Updated 30 Aug 2024

Going on vacation and not sure what’s best for your four-legged friend? Stick with us as we crack the questions - what is a dog kennel, what is dog boarding, (what are the key differences), and is welcoming a pet sitter a better option?

What’s the difference between dog kennels and boarding? A quick summary

Dog kenneling facilities and dog boarding facilities vary greatly in quality, care and price. See below for a few key differences you might notice in dog boarding and kennels near you.

• Accommodation. Kennel space tends to be smaller and more cramped, whereas boarding facilities can have more space and be more comfortable for pets.
• Pet care and attention. Kennel care tends to be very basic - feeding and adequate exercise, whereas dog boarding tends to be more varied, with some providing a personalized care plan with more exercise, socialization and TLC.
• Exercise and mental stimulation. Dog kennels can be boring for dogs, only getting the bare minimum amount of exercise. Some boarding facilities provide activities and play that helps to keep dogs mentally and physically active.
• Boarding can be in-home. Dog boarding can be like a dog hotel, but it can also refer to in-home dog boarders, where dogs are looked after by a pet care professional in the sitter’s home.

What is a dog kennel?

What are kennels? A boarding kennel is a facility that houses dogs, providing shelter, food and exercise for a period of time, at a cost to pet parents. 

Dog kennels are a boarding facility that meet dogs’ very basic needs, such as feeding, watering, and going to the toilet. 

Outdoor play and personal affection isn’t always guaranteed with pet kenneling, but some kennels provide one walk per day.

Care to expect in a dog kennel:

• A separate kennel unit to sleep in, and spend most of the day in
• An enclosed, confined space to sit, stand up, and wag their tail
• Scheduled feeding
• Scheduled exercise - at least one walk per day

With only the very basic needs being met, we’re sure you’re interested in hearing about the alternatives to kennels - take a look below to learn more.

What is dog boarding?

Dog boarding services house dogs for a period of time while pet owners are away. The dog boarding meaning varies, because boarding facilities are found in a few different settings, including:

• Kennel boarding facilities. Basic needs including feeding, watering, toileting and exercise are met.
• Dog hotels. These cover basic care, as well as additional comforts, such as cage-free rooms, play patios and extra time with care staff. These facilities tend to be much more expensive than traditional dog boarding.
• In-home boarding. Your dog stays in a professional pet sitter’s home while you’re away, getting attention in an unfamiliar environment.

Care to expect in a dog boarding facility:

• Basic needs are met, including feeding, watering, toileting and walks
• Some boarding facilities provide outdoor play areas
• Cage-free rooms
• Toys

So, what is boarding pets, exactly? Think about dog boarding as leaving your pet somewhere other than your own home, where your dog will be given varying levels of care and attention, depending on the dog boarding facility you choose.

What’s the alternative to dog kennel facilities?

• Dog boarding kennels
• Dog hotels
• In-home dog boarding
• Drop-ins from nearby family and friends
• Dog sitters

Another option for your furry friend is to welcome a dog sitter into your own home - where vets agree pets are happiest. Let’s take a look at what’s involved in finding a dog sitter, and how you can connect with trustworthy dog lovers to care for your pets.

What’s involved in welcoming a dog sitter?

A dog sitter cares for dogs while owners are away from home. This can be in the pet parents’ home, or as part of a dog boarding service, in the home of a professional pet sitter.

At TrustedHousesitters, all sitters stay in the pet parents’ home, because vets agree pets are happiest when they’re in the place they love the most - home.

Care to expect from a dog sitter:

• In-home, 24/7, 1:1 pet care
• Feeding, watering, toileting
• Walkies and exercise - as much as your dog needs
• Mental stimulation - games, play and outdoor fun, til your pup’s heart is content
• Administering medication
• Giving your dog love, attention and affection
• Grooming your dog
• Taking your dog to any urgent appointments, such as the vet or groomer
• Collecting the mail 
• Watering plants and tending to the garden
• Keeping your house safe and secure while you’re away

Benefits of a dog sitter

Welcoming a pet sitter is a great alternative to kennels - while dogs in kennels are given minimal care, love or attention, dogs cared for at home by a sitter have 1:1 attention, around the clock. Take a look below for some of the key benefits of welcoming a dog sitter with TrustedHousesitters.

• Vets agree pets are happier at home. Surrounded by the sights, smells and sounds that make them happy and comfortable, dogs are kept calm and content when cared for in their own home.
• Dogs are kept in the same routine. With a dog sitter, not much has to change for your pup, but the person who’s caring for them. Staying in the same routine avoids canine anxiety, and helps them feel safe.
• Unlimited play time. With an in-home dog sitter, dogs can have all the exercise, play and mental stimulation they need, unlike the very limited amount they get at some boarding facilities and kennels.
• Sitters care for other pets, too. Rather than finding separate pet care solutions for each pet species, TrustedHousesitters’ sitters care for animals of many species - whether it’s a goat, flock of chickens, dog, or cat.
• Sitters do it for love, not money. All sitters with TrustedHousesitters are here for the love of pets and travel. With nothing exchanged between sitters and owners but trust, dog care and a place to stay, pet owners can be sure sitters are in it for the right reasons.

If you’re swaying towards finding a dog sitter to keep your pets cared for, happy and calm in their favorite place (home), you probably want to know a bit more about how it all works. 

To get you started, head to our page on how finding a sitter works, and explore the sitters you could be connecting with below.

How to find a dog sitter

At TrustedHousesitters, connecting with a loving dog (or cat, or other pet!) sitter is simple. With an annual membership, pet owners can connect with as many verified sitters as they like. 

By simply creating a listing and posting your dates, sitters will apply who you can choose from. You then have the option to set up phone or video calls to make sure your sitter is right for you. 

With a trusted dog sitter, pet owners have peace of mind that their pups are getting all the care they need. It’s up to pet parents to state in their listing (and welcome guide) the care that their dogs require (like grooming, attention for anxiety, behavior monitoring), and the schedule they’d like pet sitters to stick to. 

That way, you can attract sitters who can truly fulfill all your dog’s needs - from mental stimulation and play, to keeping up with the training you’ve worked so hard to build.

So, what are you waiting for? If leaving your pet in the hands of a pet lover who sits for the right reasons sounds like the best bet for your pooch, explore TrustedHousesitters’ membership plans below.

What do TrustedHousesitters owner members have to say?

“I have a small hobby farm with a variety of animals, a garden and two dogs and every sitter I've had has been absolutely wonderful. Being able to have sitters apply, a background check done, provide references and conduct a video interview is beyond valuable. A truly great service.” - @Skae Fitz

“Genius concept providing a perfect opportunity to match people who need loving pet-sitters to care for their furry friends and people who are looking to travel to new places” - @Jeanne Braswell

Useful resources

• How to create the perfect owner listing
• House sitting guidelines for pet parents
• Bird sitting vs. bird boarding