Pet Boarding & Daycare in UAE Guide

Leaving your pet behind when you travel is one of the most stressful aspects of pet ownership in the UAE, where many residents travel frequently for work, holidays, and family visits back home. Whether you are away for a weekend business trip or a three-week summer holiday, your pet needs reliable care in your absence. The UAE's pet boarding and daycare industry has expanded significantly to meet this demand, offering options from basic kennel facilities to luxury pet hotels with webcam monitoring, individual suites, and daily enrichment programmes. The quality and pricing vary enormously between facilities, and choosing the wrong one can leave your pet stressed, unhealthy, or even injured. This guide covers every boarding and daycare option available in the UAE, helps you evaluate facilities, and gives practical advice on preparing your pet for a comfortable stay while you are away.

Types of Pet Boarding in the UAE

Understanding the different boarding formats available helps you match the right option to your pet's temperament, needs, and your budget.

Traditional Boarding Kennels

Traditional boarding kennels house dogs in individual or shared runs — enclosed spaces with a covered sleeping area and an attached outdoor exercise yard. This is the most common and typically most affordable boarding format. Dogs are let out for group play sessions or individual exercise periods several times a day, fed according to their regular schedule, and housed in their run overnight. Quality varies enormously between kennels, with the best facilities offering climate-controlled indoor areas, spacious runs with solid dividers (not just chain link), soft bedding, and multiple daily exercise periods. Budget kennels may have smaller enclosures, minimal air conditioning, and limited exercise time. Rates for kennel boarding in Dubai range from AED 80 to AED 150 per night for standard accommodation and AED 150 to AED 300 per night for premium facilities with larger enclosures and more individual attention.

Pet Hotels and Luxury Boarding

The luxury end of the boarding market has flourished in Dubai, catering to pet owners who want their animals to experience hotel-level comfort during their stay. Pet hotels offer individual suites (some with actual beds, furniture, and televisions), personalised meal plans, daily grooming brushouts, one-on-one play sessions with trained handlers, webcam access so you can check on your pet remotely, and even bedtime stories read by staff. Some luxury facilities offer pickup and drop-off in branded vehicles and send daily photo and video updates via WhatsApp. Rates for luxury pet boarding range from AED 200 to AED 500 per night, with premium suites at top-end facilities commanding AED 500 to AED 800 per night. While the price premium is substantial, the level of individual attention and the reduced stress environment make these facilities genuinely better for anxious or sensitive pets.

Home Pet Sitting

Home pet sitting involves a professional sitter staying in your home with your pet or visiting multiple times daily while you are away. This option is ideal for pets that become extremely stressed in unfamiliar environments — particularly cats, which are territorial and often suffer significant anxiety in boarding facilities. Home sitters maintain your pet's normal routine, including feeding times, walk routes, and sleeping arrangements, which minimises disruption and stress. Live-in pet sitting costs AED 100 to AED 250 per day in Dubai, while visit-based sitting (two to three visits of 30 to 60 minutes each) costs AED 80 to AED 180 per day. The advantage of home sitting is that your pet stays in their familiar environment. The disadvantage is that you must trust someone with access to your home and all its contents. Browse pet service providers on GoProfiled to find vetted pet sitters in your area.

Host Family Boarding

Host family boarding is a relatively new concept in the UAE, where your pet stays with an experienced pet owner in their home rather than in a commercial facility. Platforms connect pet owners with vetted hosts who have suitable homes, pet experience, and availability to care for boarding guests. This model works particularly well for dogs that thrive in a home environment but cannot stay in their own home due to building restrictions or the owner's travel. Rates typically range from AED 100 to AED 200 per night, positioning host family boarding between traditional kennels and luxury hotels in terms of price.

Top Boarding Facilities in Dubai

The following facilities are consistently recommended by Dubai pet owners for their standards, reliability, and animal welfare practices.

My Second Home

My Second Home in Al Quoz is one of Dubai's most established and respected boarding facilities. The facility offers both daycare and overnight boarding, with separate areas for different dog sizes and temperaments. Dogs are assessed during an initial trial day to evaluate their socialisation skills and compatibility with other boarders. The facility features climate-controlled indoor areas, outdoor exercise yards, a splash pool for warm days, and a dedicated team of handlers who supervise play groups throughout the day. Overnight boarding rates start at AED 120 per night for standard accommodation and AED 180 per night for premium suites. Daycare rates are AED 80 to AED 100 per day, with monthly packages available at AED 1,500 to AED 2,000 for 20 days.

Paws Resort Dubai

Paws Resort positions itself as a luxury boarding destination with hotel-style suites for dogs and cats. Each suite is individually air-conditioned, furnished with raised beds and soft bedding, and fitted with webcams for remote monitoring. The resort offers optional add-on services including daily grooming brushouts (AED 30), personalised training sessions (AED 100), extra one-on-one play time (AED 50), and spa treatments. Cat boarding is offered in a separate, quiet wing with individual condos. Dog boarding rates range from AED 180 to AED 350 per night. Cat boarding costs AED 120 to AED 200 per night. The facility requires all animals to be up to date on vaccinations and to have a veterinary health certificate dated within seven days of check-in.

K9 Friends Boarding

K9 Friends is a well-known animal rescue organisation in Dubai that also operates a boarding facility. Revenue from the boarding service supports their rescue and adoption programme, making it a popular choice for pet owners who want their boarding fees to contribute to animal welfare. The facility in Al Quoz offers standard kennel-style boarding with group play sessions, exercise runs, and basic grooming during the stay. Rates are competitive at AED 100 to AED 130 per night for dogs, and the staff are experienced in handling a wide range of breeds and temperaments. Booking well in advance is essential during peak travel periods like Eid, Christmas, and summer holidays. Visit Dubai pet services on GoProfiled for more boarding facility details and reviews.

Pet Boarding in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah

Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have fewer boarding options than Dubai but several reliable facilities serve pet owners in these emirates.

Abu Dhabi Boarding Options

Abu Dhabi's boarding market is smaller than Dubai's but includes several quality facilities. The Pet Shop in Al Khalidiya offers both retail and boarding services, with a small but well-maintained boarding section that handles dogs and cats. The British Veterinary Hospital provides medical boarding for pets recovering from surgery or managing health conditions, with rates of AED 150 to AED 300 per night including veterinary monitoring. Several home pet sitting services also operate across Abu Dhabi, with platforms connecting pet owners with vetted sitters in Saadiyat, Yas Island, Reem Island, and the city centre. Explore Abu Dhabi pet services on GoProfiled for facility comparisons.

Sharjah Boarding Options

Boarding options in Sharjah are more limited, and many Sharjah pet owners use facilities in Dubai, particularly those located in Al Quoz and Jebel Ali which are relatively accessible from Sharjah via Sheikh Zayed Road. However, a few local boarding services have emerged to serve the Sharjah market, typically operating from smaller facilities or home-based setups. Rates in Sharjah tend to be 15 to 25 percent lower than comparable Dubai facilities, with standard boarding starting at AED 70 to AED 100 per night. Check Sharjah pet services on GoProfiled for current boarding facility listings.

Pet Daycare Services

Daycare provides daytime supervision, exercise, and socialisation for pets while their owners are at work, offering an alternative to leaving a dog alone at home for eight to ten hours.

Dog Daycare Benefits

Dogs are social animals that can develop behavioural problems when left alone for extended periods. Separation anxiety, destructive chewing, excessive barking, and inappropriate elimination are all common in dogs that spend long hours alone. Daycare addresses these issues by providing structured socialisation with other dogs, physical exercise, mental stimulation through play and interaction, and a predictable routine that reduces anxiety. Dogs attending regular daycare are typically calmer at home in the evenings, sleep better, and display fewer behavioural issues than dogs left alone all day.

Daycare Pricing and Packages

Daily daycare rates in Dubai range from AED 60 to AED 120 per day depending on the facility's quality and location. Most daycare operators offer monthly packages that significantly reduce the per-day cost. A typical monthly package of 20 daycare days costs AED 1,200 to AED 2,000, representing a 15 to 25 percent discount over the daily rate. Some facilities offer half-day rates of AED 40 to AED 80 for owners who only need four to five hours of coverage. Pickup and drop-off services are available at most daycare facilities for an additional AED 30 to AED 80 per trip depending on your location. When choosing a daycare, visit the facility unannounced during operating hours to observe how dogs are supervised, how play groups are managed, and how staff handle any conflicts between dogs.

Cat Daycare

Cat daycare is much less common than dog daycare, reflecting the fact that most cats are content to spend the day alone at home sleeping, grooming, and entertaining themselves. However, some cat boarding facilities offer daycare options for kittens or social cats that benefit from interaction and stimulation during the day. Cat daycare costs AED 50 to AED 80 per day and typically involves a private room or condo with toys, climbing structures, and scheduled interaction with handlers rather than group socialisation with other cats.

How to Choose a Boarding Facility

Selecting the right boarding facility requires more than reading online reviews. A personal inspection is essential before entrusting your pet to any facility.

Facility Inspection Checklist

When visiting a potential boarding facility, assess the following. Cleanliness: the facility should smell clean, not of urine or strong chemical cleaners that mask odours. Enclosure size: each animal should have enough space to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, with additional space for exercise. Ventilation and temperature: the facility must be air-conditioned (this is non-negotiable in the UAE), with proper ventilation to prevent respiratory issues. Noise level: excessive barking indicates stressed animals or inadequate management. Staff ratio: ask how many animals each handler supervises — a ratio of no more than 10 dogs to one handler during play periods is the maximum for safe supervision. Safety measures: fencing should be secure, gates should have double-latch or airlock systems, and there should be no exposed wires, sharp edges, or small gaps where animals could get stuck or escape.

Questions to Ask Before Booking

Essential questions for any boarding facility include: What vaccinations are required (reputable facilities require current rabies, DHPP for dogs, FVRCP for cats, and kennel cough for dogs)? What happens in a medical emergency (they should have a veterinary relationship and a protocol for emergency care)? Are dogs grouped by size and temperament during play? Can you bring your pet's own food, bedding, and toys? What is the daily routine including feeding times, exercise periods, and rest times? How do they handle medication administration if your pet takes daily medication? What is the cancellation policy and are deposits refundable? What updates will you receive during your pet's stay?

Preparing Your Pet for Boarding

Proper preparation significantly reduces the stress your pet experiences during boarding and helps ensure a smooth stay for both the animal and the facility staff.

Before the Stay

Schedule a trial day or overnight stay before your actual trip so your pet can experience the facility in a low-pressure situation while you are still available if problems arise. Update all vaccinations at least two weeks before the boarding date to allow immunity to develop and any mild vaccine reactions to resolve. Prepare a written instruction sheet covering feeding amounts and times, medication schedules, behavioural quirks (resource guarding, noise anxiety, separation anxiety triggers), emergency contact numbers, and your veterinarian's details. Pack familiar items including your pet's regular food (enough for the entire stay plus two extra days in case of travel delays), a worn item of your clothing for scent comfort, their favourite toy, and any medications in original packaging with dosing instructions clearly written on each item.

At Drop-Off

Keep the drop-off brief and calm. Prolonged emotional goodbyes increase your pet's anxiety. Hand over your pet's belongings, confirm the written instructions with the staff, and leave confidently. Most pets settle within the first hour after their owner departs, and staff are experienced in managing the transition period. If you are worried, ask the facility to send you a photo or update a few hours after drop-off to reassure you that your pet is settling in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does pet boarding cost in Dubai?

Standard kennel boarding in Dubai costs AED 80 to AED 150 per night. Premium and luxury pet hotels charge AED 200 to AED 500 per night for standard suites and AED 500 to AED 800 for top-tier suites. Cat boarding typically costs AED 80 to AED 200 per night. Home pet sitting ranges from AED 100 to AED 250 per day for live-in service. Daycare costs AED 60 to AED 120 per day, with monthly packages of 20 days priced at AED 1,200 to AED 2,000. Peak period surcharges of 20 to 50 percent apply during Eid, Christmas, and summer holidays at most facilities.

How far in advance should I book pet boarding for holidays?

For peak travel periods (Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Christmas, New Year, and summer school holidays from mid-June to August), book at least four to six weeks in advance. Popular facilities fill up eight to twelve weeks ahead during these periods. For regular weekends and off-peak travel, one to two weeks advance booking is usually sufficient. Some luxury pet hotels maintain waitlists for peak periods, so getting on the waitlist early gives you a backup option even if your preferred dates are initially unavailable.

Can I board my pet if they have a medical condition?

Yes, but you need to choose the facility carefully. Standard boarding kennels may not be equipped to manage pets requiring medication, special diets, or monitoring. Veterinary boarding at a clinic or animal hospital is the safest option for pets with medical conditions, as trained veterinary staff can administer medications, monitor symptoms, and respond to emergencies. Veterinary boarding rates are higher (AED 150 to AED 300 per night) but include the medical oversight that gives peace of mind. Alternatively, home pet sitting allows your pet to stay in their familiar environment while the sitter follows the medical routine you specify.

What if my pet does not cope well with boarding?

Some pets, particularly older dogs, cats, and animals with anxiety disorders, struggle in boarding environments despite best efforts. If your pet has had a negative boarding experience — refusing food, showing signs of distress, or developing stress-related illness during their stay — consider alternatives for future trips. Home pet sitting eliminates the unfamiliar environment variable. Host family boarding provides a home setting. For cats, a visit-based sitter who comes to your home two to three times daily is usually less stressful than any out-of-home option. Discuss the situation with your veterinarian, who may recommend calming supplements or short-term anti-anxiety medication for travel periods.