Dog Boarding in Philadelphia, PA: Real Prices, Top Kennels & What to Expect in 2026

Dog boarding in Philadelphia runs $50–$83 per night depending on whether you go with a private in-home sitter or a facility. The median on Rover is $52.55/night as of March 2026 — above the national average of $30–$50 — which reflects Philly’s cost of living more than anything else. This guide breaks down exactly what you’ll pay at the city’s top kennels, what’s included, and how to pick the right option for your dog.

What Dog Boarding Actually Costs in Philadelphia

Philadelphia boarding prices sit above the national average. Here’s the honest breakdown for 2026:

The national kennel average is $30–$50/night. Philadelphia runs 10–30% higher. That’s not a surprise for a major Northeast metro — expect similar pricing to Baltimore and DC, though lower than NYC or Boston. For a broader picture of what dog boarding costs across the US, see our guide to how much dog boarding costs nationally in 2026.

A few things push your price up:

• Holiday bookings — expect rates near $63–$75/night around Thanksgiving, Christmas, July 4th
• Large breeds — some facilities charge a size premium of $5–$15/night for dogs over 60 lbs
• Last-minute booking — top-rated Rover sitters in Philly fill up 2–3 weeks out in busy seasons
• Add-on services — extra walks, one-on-one playtime, grooming can add $5–$25/day

Top Kennels & Facilities in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has real options — from classic kennels to hotel-style suites. Here’s what’s worth knowing about each.

Groom & Board PHL

Price: $70/night (second dog in shared kennel: $45/night)

One of the more straightforward facilities in the city. Your $70 includes two 15-minute walks and two 15-minute one-on-one visits with a handler each day. That’s meaningful — a lot of boarding facilities charge extra for any individual attention. Add-ons: house meal ($5/meal), special handling ($15/night). No charge for medication administration (except injectables). Flexible drop-off and pick-up during business hours. Good option for owners who want scheduled human contact without the full resort markup.

Website: groomandboardphl.com

Philadelphia Pet Hotel & Villas

Price: Starting ~$50/night (room rates vary)

Address: 7401 Holstein Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153 | Phone: (215) 365-4555

This is the closest thing to a dog hotel in the city proper. The facility has 16 plush villas equipped with full-size beds and 32″ LCD TVs, plus standard suites at lower price points. All rooms are priced per guest per night, and each full day requires at least one interactive service. Four-point-three stars on Yelp across 96 reviews (March 2026). Requires advance booking — this place fills up. Good for dogs that need a calm, structured environment rather than open play all day.

Wag Watch Philadelphia

Price: $83/night (includes one day of daycare + overnight until 9am)

Wag Watch bills itself as Philadelphia’s luxury dog daycare, and boarding is essentially a daycare-plus-overnight package. The $83 rate includes full-day play, which makes it competitive with facilities that charge daycare separately on top of boarding. Best suited for high-energy dogs that need more than kenneled downtime — your dog will be tired by pick-up time.

Website: wagwatchusa.com

Camp Bow Wow Philadelphia Northeast

Phone: (215) 261-5387

Camp Bow Wow is a national chain with a consistently run location in Northeast Philly. Dogs stay in cabins with cots and fleece blankets, get a “Campfire Treat” each night, and access supervised group play during the day. Pricing isn’t posted publicly — you’ll need to call or book online for current rates. The Northeast location serves a large part of the city and Bucks County. Nationally, Camp Bow Wow facilities run $45–$60/night for their cabin-style stays.

Website: campbowwow.com/philadelphia-northeast

Wagsworth Manor (Philadelphia Main Line)

Phone: (610) 251-9247 | Located in Malvern, PA

Wagsworth Manor is technically in the Philadelphia suburbs (Malvern, on the Main Line), but it’s worth mentioning if you live in West Philly, Ardmore, or anywhere near the Paoli/Thorndale line. Award-winning facility with luxury suite options. Pricing is quote-based — call or submit online. Best for owners who want a true resort experience and don’t mind a short drive.

Website: wagsworthmanor.com

Provider Comparison

In-Home Sitters vs. Kennels: Which Is Right for Your Dog?

This is the real decision for most Philly dog owners. Both options work — the difference is in your dog’s temperament and your budget.

Choose a kennel if:

• Your dog is social and does well around other dogs
• You want professional staff on-site 24/7
• You need structured feeding and medication schedules
• You’re traveling for more than a week and want consistent routine

Choose an in-home sitter if:

• Your dog gets anxious in new environments or around other dogs
• You have a dog with health issues that needs close monitoring
• You prefer your dog to sleep in a home setting (couch, bed)
• You’re working with a tighter budget — Rover sitters in Philly start at $28/night

One honest note: Philly’s housing stock is mostly rowhouses and apartments. In-home sitters don’t always have yards. If your dog needs outdoor space, ask specifically about yard access before booking. For a deeper comparison of these two options, our guide to boarding vs pet sitting covers what matters most for different dog types.

Apps & Platforms: Rover, Wag, and Care.com in Philly

As of March 2026, 3,161 sitters offer dog boarding through Rover in Philadelphia. That’s a large, active marketplace. Here’s how the main platforms compare:

Rover dominates the in-home market in Philadelphia. Wag has fewer Philly sitters. Care.com skews toward less-vetted listings but can surface cheaper options. All three platforms charge a service fee on top of the sitter’s listed rate — factor that into your budget.

Holiday tip: Rover sitters in Philly often raise rates by $10–$15/night during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the July 4th weekend. Book 3–4 weeks out minimum for those periods.

What to Ask Before You Book

Whether you’re calling a kennel or messaging a Rover sitter, these questions matter:

• What’s the dog-to-staff ratio during the day? At night? — Overnight supervision varies widely between facilities
• Is group play mandatory or optional? — Not every dog wants or tolerates it
• How do you handle a dog that won’t eat? — Stress eating is real; good boarders notice and flag it
• What’s your emergency protocol? — Which vet do they call? Do they have a relationship with an emergency clinic?
• What vaccines are required? — Most Philly kennels require bordetella, rabies, and DHPP at minimum
• What’s included in the nightly rate? — Walks, meals, and potty breaks aren’t always included

For in-home sitters on Rover: request a meet-and-greet before committing, especially for a first booking. Most sitters in Philadelphia will do a short free meet. This tells you how the sitter interacts with your dog and whether the home is a good fit.

Boarding by Philly Neighborhood

Philadelphia’s neighborhoods have very different vibes when it comes to finding nearby boarding options:

Center City / Rittenhouse Square: Dense population, fewer facilities in-neighborhood — most residents use Rover in-home sitters or commute to facilities in Northeast Philly or the Main Line. Expect to pay toward the higher end of the Rover range ($55–$69/night) for sitters in this area.

Fishtown / Northern Liberties: Growing dog-owner population with active Rover sitter community. In-home boarding is common. Local groomers (including Groom & Board PHL, a short drive away) serve this corridor.

South Philly: Dense, rowhouse-heavy — yards are small or nonexistent. In-home sitters work well here, but confirm outdoor access. Multiple Care.com sitters in Bella Vista, Point Breeze, and East Passyunk.

Northeast Philadelphia: Best served by Camp Bow Wow’s Northeast location. More suburban feel means more kennels and facilities with yard space. Often a 15–20% lower price than Center City sitters.

West Philadelphia / University City: Active Rover market near Penn and Drexel. Prices are competitive. Wagsworth Manor in Malvern is a reasonable drive from West Philly if you need a resort-style option.

Manayunk / Roxborough: Smaller in-home sitter pool; residents sometimes use kennels in nearby Montgomery County. Canine Country in Montgomery County (caninecountry.org) is a well-regarded option for this part of the city.

Does Dog Size Affect Boarding Prices in Philadelphia?

Yes, though not every facility breaks it out explicitly. Here’s how size typically factors into pricing:

If you have a large-breed dog (Great Dane, Saint Bernard, Newfoundland), be upfront about size when booking. Some private home sitters have genuine space constraints — a rowhouse in Fishtown is not the same as a house with a yard in Northeast Philly. For giant breeds, kennel facilities with dedicated large-run spaces (Camp Bow Wow NE Philly, Groom & Board PHL) are typically a better fit.

One more note: boarding a second dog at the same facility often comes with a discount. Groom & Board PHL, for example, charges $45/night for a second dog sharing a kennel — a meaningful savings if you have a multi-dog household.

What’s Typically Included (and What Costs Extra)

The nightly rate rarely covers everything. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what facilities in Philadelphia typically include or charge extra for:

The bottom line: always ask for a full breakdown before booking, not just the headline nightly rate. A $55/night facility that charges $15/day for walks and $20/day for group play quickly becomes $90/night. If you’re also looking to schedule grooming around your dog’s boarding stay, our Philadelphia dog grooming price guide covers what local salons and mobile groomers charge in 2026.

FAQ: Dog Boarding in Philadelphia

What’s the average cost of dog boarding in Philadelphia?

The median is $52.55/night through Rover as of March 2026. Kennels and facilities typically run $50–$83/night. A week of boarding averages around $350–$375.

Is Philadelphia more expensive than the national average for dog boarding?

Yes. The national average is $30–$50/night. Philadelphia runs 10–30% above that, consistent with other major Northeast cities. It’s less expensive than New York or Boston, but more than cities like Columbus, Nashville, or Charlotte.

How far in advance should I book dog boarding in Philadelphia?

For regular weekends, 1–2 weeks is usually fine for kennels. For holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, July 4th, Memorial Day, Labor Day), book 3–4 weeks out. Top-rated Rover sitters in Philly fill up even faster — some 4–6 weeks in advance for holiday periods.

What vaccines does my dog need for boarding in Philadelphia?

Most Philly facilities require rabies, DHPP (distemper/parvovirus/hepatitis), and bordetella (kennel cough). Some facilities also require canine influenza (H3N2 and H3N8). Rover sitters set their own requirements — check the sitter’s profile. Have vet records ready before booking.

Are there boarding options for dogs that don’t do well in kennels?

Yes — that’s exactly what Rover in-home sitters are best for. You can filter for sitters who board small numbers of dogs (some take 1–2 max), who don’t have resident dogs, or who keep your dog separate from other pets. Wag Watch’s daycare-inclusive model is also lower stress for many dogs compared to a traditional kennel run.

What should I pack for my dog’s boarding stay?

Bring your dog’s regular food (portion it into daily bags if possible — it makes the sitter’s job easier and reduces digestive upset from schedule changes), any medications with clear instructions, a worn t-shirt or blanket that smells like home, and vaccination records if the facility doesn’t already have them on file.

Is cage-free boarding available in Philadelphia?

Yes. Wag Watch’s overnight model is effectively cage-free since dogs are in daycare play spaces most of the day. In-home Rover sitters typically don’t crate dogs unless you request it. Search specifically for “cage-free dog boarding Philadelphia” on Rover to filter for sitters who offer open-roam stays.

How do I find a last-minute dog sitter in Philadelphia?

Rover and Wag both have last-minute availability filters. In Philadelphia, you’ll find the most options in Center City, Fishtown, South Philly, and University City — densely populated neighborhoods with high sitter density. If you’re searching within 48 hours, keep your price expectations flexible; lower-rated or newer sitters are more likely to be available on short notice. Facilities like Camp Bow Wow or Groom & Board PHL sometimes have walk-in availability during non-peak periods — call ahead to confirm.

What happens if my dog gets sick while boarding?

Licensed kennels in Pennsylvania are required to have an emergency protocol, which typically means a relationship with a nearby vet or emergency clinic. Ask the facility which vet they use before you board. For in-home Rover sitters, the platform’s Rover Guarantee covers up to $25,000 in vet bills for incidents during a booking — but file the claim through the app immediately, not after the fact. Philadelphia has several 24/7 emergency vet options including MedVet Philadelphia and Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital (3900 Delancey St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, open 24/7 for emergencies).

Not sure what to look for in a boarding facility? Our guide to how to choose a pet boarding facility walks through every question worth asking before you hand over the leash.