The Question Nobody Asks
Most comparisons focus on price and convenience. But there's a harder question: what happens when things go wrong?
Both options have risks. Kennels can traumatise dogs. Sitters can cancel. Dogs can refuse to bond. Understanding these risks — not just the best-case scenarios — is how you make the right choice for your pet.
The Quick Comparison
For detailed pricing, see our housesitter rates guide.
| Factor | Kennels | Housesitter |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (2 weeks, 1 dog) | $400–900 | $0–900* |
| Your dog's environment | Unfamiliar, shared | Their own home |
| Attention level | Shared between many dogs | One-to-one |
| Stress for dog | Often high | Usually low |
| Your home | Empty | Occupied and secure |
| Multiple pets | Charged per pet | Often one rate |
| Cancellation risk | Low (business) | Higher (individual) |
| Stranger in your home | No | Yes |
*Free via exchange platforms, or paid directly. Exchange sits aren't truly “free” — they're a reciprocal arrangement where your home provides accommodation.
What Can Go Wrong: Kennels
Kennels are a known quantity. That's their advantage. But “known” doesn't mean “good for every dog.”
Kennel Stress Syndrome
Some dogs come back changed. Excessive barking, anxiety, destructive behaviour, regression in training. For anxious dogs, the experience can be genuinely traumatic.
This isn't the kennel's fault — it's that some dogs simply can't handle the environment.
Kennel Cough and Illness
Dogs housed together spread illness. Even with vaccinations, kennel cough is common. For elderly dogs or those with compromised immune systems, this is a real risk.
Minimal Individual Attention
Staff are caring for many animals. Your dog won't get the walks, playtime, and one-to-one attention they get at home. For high-energy or attention-dependent dogs, this creates problems.
What Can Go Wrong: Housesitters
Housesitting sounds ideal. Your dog stays home, routine maintained, one-to-one attention. But things can go wrong here too.
Last-Minute Cancellations
“Canceling sits after sitters book expensive international flights” — and it works both ways.
— House Sitting Magazine
Individual sitters can cancel. Family emergencies, illness, better opportunities. Unlike a kennel (which is a business), a sitter is one person. If they cancel a week before your trip, you're scrambling.
The Bonding Problem
Sometimes it just doesn't work. Your dog doesn't take to the sitter. The sitter doesn't understand your dog's quirks. Chemistry matters — and you can't always predict it.
A good meet-and-greet reduces this risk, but doesn't eliminate it.
Stranger in Your Home
You're trusting someone with your house, possessions, and pets. Most sitters are wonderful. But verification matters. Reviews matter. References matter. Don't skip these steps.
Undisclosed Pet Behaviour
“I felt very cheated because the HO didn't tell all the truth about the pets.”
— Sitter, THS Forum
This cuts both ways. If you hide your dog's behavioural issues, the sit will go badly. Sitters talk. Your reputation matters if you want good sitters in future.
When Kennels Make Sense
- Your dog is sociable, adaptable, and unbothered by chaos
- You need guaranteed availability (kennel is a business)
- Short trips where stress impact is minimal
- Your dog has no complex medical needs
- You don't want a stranger in your home
- You've used this kennel before and know your dog handles it
When a Housesitter Makes More Sense
- Your dog is anxious, elderly, or doesn't handle change well
- You have multiple pets (one rate vs per-animal kennel fees)
- Complex medical needs requiring individual attention
- You want your home occupied and secure
- Longer trips where kennel stress compounds
- Your dog doesn't like other dogs
- You've found a verified, experienced sitter with good reviews
The Stress Factor: What Research Shows
Dogs are creatures of routine. Kennels disrupt everything — new place, new smells, constant barking, no familiar furniture, different food times.
At home with a housesitter: same bed, same toys, same garden, same walk routes. Routine maintained. One-to-one attention.
For anxious dogs, elderly dogs, or dogs with health conditions, the difference is significant. But it only works if the sitter is competent and your dog accepts them.
Signs Your Dog Struggles with Kennels
- • Excessive barking or whining when left anywhere
- • Fear-based behaviours around other dogs
- • Previous kennel experience caused regression
- • Medical conditions requiring specific care timing
- • Elderly with mobility or cognitive issues
- • History of separation anxiety
If You Choose a Housesitter: Do It Right
- 1.Verify their experience — Someone with 20+ reviews from verified sources. Don't take their word for it.
- 2.Read the reviews — What do other pet owners say? Look for specifics, not just stars.
- 3.Video call first — Before committing. Ask about their experience with your type of pet.
- 4.In-person meet — Let the sitter meet your dog before confirming. Chemistry matters.
- 5.Have a backup — Understand what happens if the sitter cancels. Have a fallback plan.
- 6.Be honest about your dog — Don't hide behavioural issues. It doesn't help anyone.
The Third Option: Repeat Sitters
The best of both worlds: a housesitter who knows your dog, your home, and your routines. No stranger-in-your-home anxiety. No kennel stress. Just someone your dog already loves.
This takes time to build. But experienced pet owners often say it's worth it. Once you find a sitter who works, you don't go back to the kennel debate.
The Bottom Line
There's no universal “best” answer. It depends on your dog, your circumstances, and your risk tolerance.
Choose kennels if:
- • Dog handles change well
- • Short trips
- • Need guaranteed availability
- • Don't want stranger in home
Choose housesitter if:
- • Dog is anxious/elderly/complex needs
- • Multiple pets
- • Longer trips
- • Want home occupied
Either way, do your homework. Know the risks. Have a backup plan.