Lifestyle
Dog Boarding vs Pet Sitter in Australia: How to Choose (and Book Before Christmas)
Christmas and New Year spots fill fast. Here is how kennels and in-home sitters really compare, what they cost, and the questions to ask before you hand over the lead
10 min read
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There is a particular kind of December panic reserved for dog owners. The flights are booked, the family is expecting you, and someone points out that the kennel you always use has had no vacancies since October. Christmas and New Year are the busiest boarding weeks of the year in Australia, and the owners who get their first choice are the ones who booked months earlier.
It is late September, which is exactly the right time to sort this. This guide compares the two main options, boarding kennels and in-home pet sitting, on the things that matter for your particular dog, and gives you the questions to ask so you find out the important details before the booking, not after.
Boarding Kennels: Structure, Staff and Company
A good kennel offers routine, trained staff and, in some cases, vets on site or on call, which matters if your dog has a medical condition. Dogs who are social, confident and enjoy other dogs often do well, and a busy environment suits some dogs better than a quiet house.
The downsides are the flip side of the same features. Kennels can be loud and unfamiliar, some dogs find group settings stressful, and anxious dogs or dogs who do not get along with strangers may struggle. Ask how many dogs each staff member looks after, particularly over the busy Christmas period.
In-Home Pet Sitting: Familiar Surroundings
A pet sitter cares for your dog in your own home, or sometimes theirs, while you are away. For older dogs it is often the better option, because they stay with what they know best. It also suits dogs with anxiety, dogs who dislike group settings, and dogs on medication that needs to be given on a schedule.
Sitters range from professional services to house-sitting platforms where someone stays for free in exchange for care. The quality varies more than with regulated kennels, so this is where checking references, background checks and insurance matters most. Sitters also tend to charge a premium at peak times.
Side by Side
Environment
- Boarding kennel
- Unfamiliar, other dogs around
- In-home sitter
- Your home, or the sitter's
Best for
- Boarding kennel
- Social, healthy, confident dogs
- In-home sitter
- Anxious dogs, seniors, dogs needing medication
Supervision
- Boarding kennel
- Staff and sometimes vets on site
- In-home sitter
- One person, sometimes overnight
Vaccination
- Boarding kennel
- Proof of up-to-date vaccinations required
- In-home sitter
- Sitters may or may not ask, so raise it
Risk to weigh
- Boarding kennel
- Stress, disease spread in group settings
- In-home sitter
- Reliability of a single person, escapes in unfamiliar homes
Peak-season availability
- Boarding kennel
- Fills quickly, book early
- In-home sitter
- Fills quickly, and prices rise
| Boarding kennel | In-home sitter | |
|---|---|---|
| Environment | Unfamiliar, other dogs around | Your home, or the sitter's |
| Best for | Social, healthy, confident dogs | Anxious dogs, seniors, dogs needing medication |
| Supervision | Staff and sometimes vets on site | One person, sometimes overnight |
| Vaccination | Proof of up-to-date vaccinations required | Sitters may or may not ask, so raise it |
| Risk to weigh | Stress, disease spread in group settings | Reliability of a single person, escapes in unfamiliar homes |
| Peak-season availability | Fills quickly, book early | Fills quickly, and prices rise |
What It Costs
Prices vary a lot by city, season and service, so treat these as rough guides and get local quotes. One Australian sitter platform's 2025 guide put average boarding at around $30 to $70 a night, in-home overnight sitting at $45 to $90 a night, and drop-in visits at $20 to $35 each. Dog-specific overnight sitting was listed at $60 to $90 a night, with $10 to $20 a visit or night extra for special needs such as medication.
Questions to Ask a Kennel
Boarding Kennel Questions
- Which vaccinations do you require, including kennel cough, and how far in advance must they be given?
- Do you require flea, tick and worm treatment to be current?
- Is a vet on site or on call, and which vet do you use in an emergency?
- How is heat managed in an Australian summer, with shade, cooling and airflow?
- How much time does each dog get out of its run, and is it alone or with other dogs?
- Can I see where my dog will sleep, and can I bring their own bed?
- What is your cancellation policy over the holiday period?
- How do you handle a dog who is stressed, unwell or not eating?
Questions to Ask a Sitter
Pet Sitter Questions
- Do you have a current police check, references and insurance?
- Will you stay overnight, or do drop-in visits, and how long is each visit?
- Have you looked after dogs of my dog's size, age and temperament?
- What is your plan if you are sick or something happens to you?
- How will you handle an escape, and is the yard secure?
- Will you send updates and photos, and how often?
- Are you comfortable giving medication and following a feeding routine?
- What are your peak-season rates and cancellation terms?
Getting Your Dog Ready
Your Pre-Trip Plan
- 1
Book now for Christmas and New Year
Do it as soon as your travel dates are confirmed, and get the booking in writing.
- 2
Check vaccinations and parasite treatments
Kennels require proof of up-to-date vaccinations, and many want kennel cough covered ahead of time. Book the vet early if any are due.
- 3
Do a meet-and-greet
Visit the kennel, or have the sitter meet your dog at home, and watch how your dog responds.
- 4
Try a short trial stay
A night or a weekend before the long trip shows you how your dog copes, and lets you fix problems while you can still change plans.
- 5
Write it all down
Feeding amounts and times, medication doses, routines, quirks, your vet's details, an emergency contact and your written authority to treat.
- 6
Pack familiar items
Their bed or a worn t-shirt, their usual food and a favourite toy help a dog settle.
Things That Help While You Are Away
Occupies a Nervous Dog
KONG Classic (Medium)
Stuffed with a portion of their dinner and frozen, a KONG keeps a dog occupied through the first unsettled hours in a new place, and gives a sitter something easy to hand over at quiet times. The listing is Medium, made for average chewers, so check the size guide for your dog.
- Stuffable red rubber, dishwasher safe
- Made for average chewing dogs
- Vet and trainer recommended, per the listing
- Sold by size, listing is Medium
Gentle Aid
ADAPTIL Calm Starter Kit
A plug-in diffuser that releases a calming pheromone for a dog, which the maker lists for new homes, anxious behaviour and noise fears. It covers a 50 to 70 square metre area for around four weeks. Evidence for pheromone products is mixed, so treat it as a gentle aid, not a fix for serious separation anxiety. Best used where a sitter is staying, such as your home.
- Covers 50 to 70 square metres
- Lasts around four weeks per refill
- Listed for new homes and anxious behaviour
- Plug-in, no medication
Escape Insurance
Tractive GPS Dog Tracker
Dogs are most likely to bolt in an unfamiliar yard or house they do not know, which is exactly where a sitter or kennel puts them. A tracker gives you and the sitter a chance of finding them fast. It needs a paid Tractive subscription for the built-in SIM and requires mobile coverage, so it is a backup to a microchip and tag, not a replacement.
- Real-time location, needs cellular coverage
- Escape alerts and virtual fences
- Up to 14 days battery life, per the listing
- Requires a subscription plan
Neither option is automatically better. The best choice is the one that matches your dog's temperament, health and age, arranged early enough that you are not stuck with whatever is left. Start with two phone calls this week, and book the meet-and-greet before the end of October.
Common questions
Is a kennel or a pet sitter better for my dog?
It depends on the dog. Social, healthy, confident dogs often do well in a good kennel with routine and staff on hand. Older dogs, anxious dogs and dogs on scheduled medication usually do better with an in-home sitter, since they stay in familiar surroundings.
How far ahead should I book boarding for Christmas in Australia?
As early as possible. Christmas, New Year and school holidays are peak periods when kennels and sitters fill up quickly and prices tend to rise. Booking in September or October, once your travel dates are set, gives you a real choice.
How much does dog boarding cost in Australia?
One 2025 sitter platform guide put average kennel boarding at roughly $30 to $70 per night and in-home overnight sitting at $45 to $90 per night, with peak-season rates higher. Prices vary by city and provider, so get local quotes and ask about holiday surcharges.
What vaccinations does my dog need for boarding?
Most kennels require proof of up-to-date vaccinations, and many also want kennel cough covered some time before your stay. Requirements differ, so ask the kennel what they need and how far ahead, then book your vet early.
How do I prepare my dog for their first stay?
Do a meet-and-greet, try a short trial stay, pack familiar bedding, food and a toy, and leave written instructions with your vet's details and an authority to treat. A short trial lets you find and fix problems before the long trip.