Boarding your dog for the holidays: kennel, foster family or pet-sitter?
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Boarding kennel, foster family or home pet-sitter: the best boarding option mainly depends on your dog's temperament — sociable in a group setting or calmer in familiar surroundings — even before budget comes into play. Find our other pointers in the travel and safety section.
Contents · 5 sections
Kennel, pet-sitter or foster family: what is the difference?
A boarding kennel houses the dog in a group facility, with a supervised setting but a full change of environment. A foster family, often found through a matching platform, hosts the dog at a private home, in a more domestic setting. A home pet-sitter comes to you: the dog keeps its bearings, its bowl and its bed, which limits stress for the most sensitive animals.
Which option suits which temperament?
A sociable, playful dog often does well in a kennel or a foster home with other animals. Conversely, an anxious, older or territorial dog usually adapts better to a home pet-sitter who does not disrupt its routine — worth cross-checking with our guide to separation anxiety in dogs. Whichever option you pick, check before booking:
- A prior visit to the premises or a meeting with the pet-sitter
- Up-to-date vaccinations required, including kennel cough for group settings
- An emergency vet contact set out in the contract
- Verifiable reviews or references from previous bookings
- A written contract stating rates, hours and cancellation terms
How much does each option cost?
Expect roughly 15 to 25 euros a day at a standard boarding kennel, 12 to 20 euros a day with a foster family, and 20 to 35 euros per visit or per day for a home pet-sitter depending on visit length. Prices rise in peak season: book several weeks ahead for school holiday periods.
How should you prepare for departure?
Always leave enough of the dog's usual food, an item carrying your scent, and your vet's precise contact details. Research on canine welfare during boarding confirms that keeping familiar food and scent cues noticeably reduces stress while owners are away.
Frequently asked questions
Should you do a trial run before a long stay?
It is strongly advised: a short first stay, one night or a weekend, checks that the dog settles well before a multi-week departure.
Is a kennel suitable for a puppy?
Yes, provided vaccinations are complete and suited to group living; ask your vet's advice before the first stay.
Is a pet-sitter enough for a dog that needs long walks?
It depends on the package chosen: check the number and length of visits included, as some pet-sitters offer extended-stay or walk-included options.
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This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Dogs universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.