Cat Boarding Prices UK: How Much It Costs in 2026

Cat boarding prices in the UK depend far more on how your cat is cared for than on the cat itself. A place in a boarding cattery is one price; a private cat sitter making daily drop-in visits to your home is another; and where you live can move the bill more than anything else. As a rough starting point, most catteries charge around £10 to £20 per cat per day, while private cat sitters run about £12 to £20 for a drop-in visit or roughly £25 to £40 a night to stay over, with London and school holidays pushing rates higher. This guide breaks down cat boarding prices by option, shows what you are really paying for, and points out where the extras hide.

Cat boarding prices at a glance

These are indicative UK ranges for 2026. Use them to sanity-check a quote rather than as a fixed tariff, because rates vary a lot by region, facility and season.

For context, private cat sitters in London average around £32 a night, which works out at roughly £225 for a week. A local cattery in a quieter part of the country can be less than half that.

Cattery vs cat sitter: the real choice

Most owners are really choosing between two very different services.

A boarding cattery houses your cat in a dedicated pen or chalet, usually with a covered run, and staff feed, clean and check on the cats through the day. It tends to be the cheaper option per day, food is normally included, and a good cattery is secure and used to nervous cats. The trade-off is that your cat leaves home, which some cats hate.

A cat sitter keeps your cat in its own home, either popping in once or twice a day for feeding, litter and company, or staying overnight. Cats are territorial and most settle far better in familiar surroundings, so many owners pay the premium for this. Overnight sitting costs more because the sitter is giving up their evening, but a single daily drop-in can work out similar to, or cheaper than, a cattery for one relaxed cat.

If you are weighing this up, our guide to what to look for in a good doggy daycare covers the same vetting principles that apply to any pet-care provider.

What drives cat boarding prices up or down

Several things move the number:

• Number of cats. Most catteries and sitters discount the second cat when they share a pen or the same home, so two cats rarely costs double.
• Location. London and the South East sit well above the national average; rural areas are cheaper.
• Season. Christmas, Easter and the summer holidays are peak. Rates rise and the best places book out months ahead.
• Type of care. Overnight and live-in sitting cost more than drop-in visits or a standard cattery pen.
• Extras. Some catteries add a winter heating surcharge, and a few add VAT on top of the quoted rate. Others give a small discount if you bring your cat’s own food.
• Medical needs. Giving medication or caring for an older or unwell cat can carry a higher rate.

The hidden extras to check before you book

A quoted day rate is not always the final bill. Ask specifically whether the price includes food, whether there is a heating or energy surcharge in colder months, and whether VAT is added, because a rate quoted excluding VAT is a fifth higher than it looks. Check how the cattery counts days too: many charge for both the drop-off day and the collection day, so a “five night” stay can be billed as six days.

One requirement that catches people out is vaccination. Reputable catteries will not accept a cat without an up-to-date vaccination record, so factor in a booster if yours has lapsed. Cats Protection explains what boarding catteries typically require.

How to keep the cost down

You have more control than you might think. Book early to avoid peak scarcity, and ask about multi-cat and multi-night discounts. For a single, confident cat, a once-daily sitter visit is often cheaper than a cattery and less stressful for the cat. If you use a cattery, providing your own food can trim a small daily discount, and travelling with a cat that is already vaccinated avoids a last-minute vet bill. Above all, compare two or three local providers on a like-for-like basis, because “per day” and “per night”, and “including VAT” or not, are not always the same thing between quotes.

Frequently asked questions

How much does cat boarding cost in the UK? Most boarding catteries charge around £10 to £20 per cat per day in 2026, while private cat sitters charge roughly £12 to £20 for a drop-in visit or about £25 to £40 a night to stay over. London and school holidays push rates towards the top of these ranges or beyond.

Is a cattery or a cat sitter cheaper? A boarding cattery is usually the cheaper option per day, and food is normally included. A cat sitter costs more for overnight stays, but a single daily drop-in visit can be similar in price, and most cats settle better staying in their own home.

Do catteries charge more for two cats? Not usually double. Most catteries and sitters offer a reduced rate when two cats share a pen or the same home, so boarding a pair costs less per cat than boarding one on its own. Always confirm the multi-cat rate when you book.

Why is cat boarding more expensive at Christmas and in summer? School holidays and Christmas are peak demand, when spaces are scarce and rates rise. The best catteries and sitters book out months in advance for these periods, so booking early is the main way to secure a place and avoid the highest prices.

What extra costs should I check for? Ask whether the rate includes food, whether VAT is added, and whether there is a winter heating surcharge. Check how days are counted, since many catteries bill both the drop-off and collection day. Also budget for an up-to-date vaccination, which catteries require before boarding.