Dog Sitting and Boarding Rates in Charlotte (2026): What Local Sitters Actually Charge
Short answer: in Charlotte, a pet sitter who comes to your home costs about $14 to $22 an hour. Overnight kennel boarding runs $45 to $70 a night for a standard room (most charge $54 to $60), with a few budget kennels from $28 and luxury suites at $75 and up. Boarding in a sitter's own home is $60 to $85 a night. Daycare is $32 to $45 a day, a 30-minute drop-in visit or walk is $23 to $30, and an overnight sitter who sleeps at your place is $75 to $150 a night. We checked the published price lists of 29 Charlotte-area businesses, plus Care.com, in October 2026.
Leaving your dog? Hand your sitter one page with everything they need.
$17The price is the easy part. Your dog has 47 little rules. Your sitter probably knows 4. That gap is where trips go wrong, and it's why we built The Paw Brief (more below).
Charlotte dog care prices at a glance
| Type of care | Typical Charlotte price | Where the number comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Pet sitter in your home | $14.16 to $21.81 an hour | Care.com Charlotte rates, October 2026 |
| Kennel boarding, standard room | $54 to $60 a night | Animal People, Pet Paradise, NoDa Bark & Board, Hounds Town NoDa, Central Bark, Carolina Doggie Playland |
| Kennel boarding, by dog size | $45.50 (standard), $48.50 (25 to 100 lbs), $52 (over 100 lbs) a night | Pet Palace South Charlotte price list |
| Boarding with daycare included | $60 to $70 a night | Carolina Doggie Playland, Canine Corner pricing |
| Boarding, budget kennels | $28 to $35 a night | Freemore Boarding, Dottie Doggies (Concord) |
| Boarding, luxury suite | $75 to $136 a night | Hounds Town NoDa, Planet Pup, Canine Corner, Pet Paradise |
| Boarding, extra dog in the same room | $38 to $45 a night | Pet Paradise, NoDa Bark & Board, Carolina Doggie Playland, Hounds Town NoDa |
| Boarding in a sitter's home | $60 to $85 a night | Wooftastic Pet Care |
| Doggy daycare, full day | $32 to $45 a day | Animal People, Pet Paradise, Carolina Doggie Playland, Pet Palace, NoDa Bark & Board, Hounds Town, Canine Corner |
| Drop-in visit or walk, 30 minutes | $23 to $30 | Wags N' Kisses, Animal People walks, Good Bubbas, Paws Up, K9 to 5, Paws on Pine, Nana's |
| Short check-in, 15 minutes | $18 to $20 | Animal People, Creature Comforts, Wags N' Kisses, K9 to 5 |
| Overnight sitter in your home | $75 to $150 a night | Good Bubbas, Creature Comforts, K9 to 5, Wags N' Kisses, Charlotte City Pets, Nana's |
Charlotte's hourly rate sits just above the North Carolina average ($13.91 to $20.50 an hour) and below the national average of $16.68 to $22.57, according to Care.com.
Rates in the suburbs
Union County towns to the southeast (Monroe, Matthews, Indian Trail) pay a little more than the city; towns to the west and north pay less:
| Area | Starting rate | Top rate |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe | $16.05/hr | $27.05/hr |
| Matthews | $15.17/hr | $21.91/hr |
| Indian Trail | $15.08/hr | $19.31/hr |
| Fort Mill, SC | $14.66/hr | $18.78/hr |
| Waxhaw | $14.59/hr | $21.41/hr |
| Mooresville | $12.58/hr | $17.67/hr |
| Kannapolis | $12.50/hr | $17.63/hr |
| Gastonia | $12.47/hr | $17.53/hr |
| Belmont | $12.40/hr | $17.60/hr |
Source: Care.com, October 2026.
What pushes the price up in Charlotte
- Big dogs. Pet Palace charges $45.50 a night for a standard villa, $48.50 for a dog of 25 to 100 lbs and $52 for a dog over 100 lbs. Baths cost more for big dogs too (Lucky Dog Bark & Brew charges $20 under 40 lbs and $30 at 80 lbs or more).
- More than one dog. Most kennels take money off the second dog (NoDa Bark & Board charges $55 for the first dog and $40 for the next), but not all: Animal People charges $108 for two dogs sharing a room, the same as two single nights.
- Holidays and busy weeks. Canine Corner raises its standard suite from $65 to $70 a night during its 2026 peak dates, which include Easter, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day and Thanksgiving through New Year's. Home sitters add holiday fees too: $5 a visit at Animal People, Creature Comforts and Nana's, $10 a visit at K9 to 5, and $25 for a holiday overnight at Nana's. Memorial Day weekend is also Coca-Cola 600 weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, so book early if you're traveling then.
- Late pick-up. Hounds Town NoDa charges $30 after 2pm, Canine Corner adds a $35 daycare fee for boarders picked up after noon, and Animal People charges $15 after 6:30pm. Plan your flight home from Charlotte Douglas with checkout times in mind.
- Extras. Exit baths ($30 to $32), nail trims ($16 to $20), medication ($2 to $8) and short-notice bookings ($5 to $10 at several sitters) are usually add-ons.
Sitter at home, sitter's home, or kennel?
| Option | Charlotte price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sitter in your home | $14 to $22 an hour, $23 to $30 a visit, or $75 to $150 overnight | Dogs who are anxious away from home, older dogs, homes with other pets |
| Boarding in a sitter's home | About $60 to $85 a night | Social dogs who like a quiet house and one person |
| Kennel or pet resort | $45 to $70 a night (luxury suites more) | Dogs who love other dogs and a busy day of play |
Charlotte weather matters too. From June to September the heat and humidity mean walks have to happen early in the morning or after dark, and hot pavement is hard on paws. Whoever you pick needs to know your dog's limits.
The part no price covers
The walk is rarely what goes wrong. It's the text at 9pm.
"How much food again?" "Is the white pill the morning one?" "Who's your vet?"
You're paying $23 to $70 a day for someone to look after your dog. Then you hand them the most important information out loud, at the door, in a rush, and hope it sticks. Or you write a 10-page Word document they skim once.
Whether it's a friend, a $22-an-hour pro or a $70-a-night resort, they all need the same things from you, and most owners forget at least one:
- Exactly how much your dog eats, and when (not "morning-ish")
- Every medication, the dose, and how to give it
- The quirks: the gate that doesn't latch, the bolt at the front door, the toy that can't be left out
- When to call you, and when to skip you and go straight to the emergency vet
- Your vet, the nearest 24-hour clinic, and a backup contact who isn't you
The Paw Brief: one handbook your sitter can scan in seconds
The Paw Brief asks you the questions you'd forget, then turns your answers into one clear care guide. Fill it in once, update it before each trip, and hand it to whoever is watching your dog: a sitter, a boarding kennel, or your neighbor.
What's inside:
- Who is who: photos and markings for each pet, so meds and food never get mixed up
- Precise times: real times for meals, walks and meds, not "evening"
- Little rituals: the bedtime toy, the water-bowl trick, the things only you know
- Behavior, honestly: checkboxes for reactivity, separation anxiety and resource guarding, so your sitter isn't surprised
- Emergency thresholds: exactly when to call you and when to go straight to the vet
- House details: alarm, fuse box, spare key, and neighbor boundaries
What you get: a fillable PDF that works on any device, plus an editable Canva version. Instant download, no subscription.
The math is easy. One night of Charlotte boarding costs $45 to $70. The Paw Brief costs $17, once, and you reuse it for every trip after this one.
No risk: if it doesn't help, you get your money back within 30 days.
The Paw Brief is made by the team behind this guide. The prices and local listings above are researched separately and nobody paid to be included.
Charlotte dog sitters, kennels and daycares
Real local options with their Google rating. Where a business publishes its prices, we list them with a link so you can check.
Boarding and kennels
- Charlotte Kennels, Indian Trail · 4.9★ (301 Google reviews) · Website
- Social Pet at Charlotte, East Charlotte · 4.8★ (369 Google reviews) · Website · Their prices: Dog daycare (with a package): as low as $44 per day
- Camp Bow Wow Charlotte Metro, Southwest Charlotte · 4.7★ (318 Google reviews) · Website
- Skiptown Charlotte, South End · 4.6★ (1100 Google reviews) · Website
- Dogs All Day, Southwest Charlotte · 4.6★ (420 Google reviews) · Website
- Lucky Dog Bark & Brew - Charlotte, West Charlotte · 4.5★ (1179 Google reviews) · Website · Their prices: Dog bath, 39 lbs or less: $20 per bath; Dog bath, 80 lbs or more: $30 per bath; Medication: $2 per medication per day
- Pet Paradise Charlotte, Airport area · 4.5★ (892 Google reviews) · Website · Their prices: Boarding, 1st dog: $54 per day; Boarding, 2nd dog: $38 per day; Day camp full day pass, 1st dog: $35 per day
- Social Pet at Northlake, Northlake · 4.8★ (248 Google reviews) · Website · Their prices: Dog daycare (with a package): as low as $44 per day
- The Barker Lounge, Montford · 4.6★ (254 Google reviews) · Website
- Pet Palace - Charlotte, Wilkinson Blvd · 4.4★ (263 Google reviews) · Website · Their prices: Dog boarding: starts at $45.50 per day; Dog daycare: starts at $37.50 per day
- Club Fetch, South End · 4.7★ (230 Google reviews) · Website
- One Lucky Pup, South Charlotte · 4.8★ (214 Google reviews) · Website
Daycare
- The Dog Knowledge, Wendover · 4.7★ (242 Google reviews) · Website
Sitters and walkers (they come to you)
- Queen City Pet Sitting, South Charlotte · 4.8★ (214 Google reviews) · Website
- Little Friends Pet Sitting & Dog Walking, Charlotte · 4.8★ (131 Google reviews) · Website
- Wags N' Kisses Pet Sitting & Dog Walking, Charlotte · 4.9★ (123 Google reviews) · Website · Their prices: 30 Minute Visit / Walk: $23 per visit; 60 Minute Visit / Walk: $38 per visit; Overnight Pet sitting: $100 per night
- Vetsitting, Charlotte · 5★ (100 Google reviews) · Website
- Fluffs of Luv Pet Sitting, Pineville · 4.7★ (95 Google reviews) · Website
- For Pet Sake Pet Sitting & Dog Walking, South Charlotte · 5★ (51 Google reviews) · Website
- Paws on Pine, Plaza Midwood · 4.9★ (49 Google reviews) · Website · Their prices: 20 minute dog walk: $20 per walk; 30 minute dog walk: $30 per walk; Cat sitting: $20 per visit
- Pit Stop Pet Services, Northeast Charlotte · 5★ (44 Google reviews) · Website
- Good Bubbas Pets, Charlotte · 5★ (33 Google reviews) · Website · Their prices: Overnight, one dog: $75 per night; Dog walk, 30 min.: $25 per walk; Dog walk, 60 min.: $45 per walk
- Midwood Pet Sitting, East Charlotte · 5★ (33 Google reviews) · Website
- Swifto Dog Walking & Pet Sitting, South End · 4.9★ (27 Google reviews) · Website
- Pet Sitters of Charlotte, South Charlotte · 4.5★ (26 Google reviews) · Website
Listings come from Google Maps and each business's own website, checked October 2026. Nobody paid to be listed. Prices change, so confirm before you book. Own one of these businesses? Ask us about a featured spot.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I pay a dog sitter in Charlotte?
Most Charlotte pet sitters charge about $14 to $22 an hour. Local pet sitting companies charge by the visit instead: $23 to $30 for a 30-minute visit or walk, and $75 to $150 for a sitter to stay overnight. For a friend or neighbor, many owners pay close to the same rate, plus a thank-you.
How much is dog boarding in Charlotte per night?
Kennel boarding is $45 to $70 a night for a standard room; most Charlotte kennels charge $54 to $60. Budget kennels start at $28, luxury suites run $75 and up, and boarding in a sitter's own home is about $60 to $85.
Is it cheaper to board my dog or have a sitter come over?
For a full day and night, a kennel ($45 to $70) usually costs less than an overnight sitter in your home ($75 to $150). For a few short visits a day, an in-home sitter at $23 to $30 a visit can cost less and keeps your dog in its own routine.
Do Charlotte sitters charge more on holidays?
Often, yes. Expect $5 to $10 extra per visit or $25 for a holiday overnight from home sitters, and peak rates at some kennels (Canine Corner adds $5 a night). Book early for Thanksgiving through New Year's and Memorial Day weekend.
What should I leave for my dog sitter?
Feeding amounts and times, medications with doses, your vet and the nearest emergency clinic, a backup contact, and house rules. The Paw Brief walks you through all of it and turns it into one guide your sitter can scan in seconds.