Your mate insists kennels are brilliant. His Labrador loves them, comes back exhausted and happy, costs half what a pet sitter charges.
Your sister swears by her cat sitter. Says her cats would be traumatised by a cattery, absolutely refuses to use one.
They’re both right. And both wrong. Because the question isn’t “which is better” – it’s “which is better for your specific pet, situation, and budget.”
A confident young Labrador who loves other dogs? Kennels might genuinely be perfect. An anxious rescue cat who hides when strangers visit? Pet sitter is the only humane option.
This guide breaks down pet sitter vs cattery/kennels with actual London costs, real stress analysis, and honest assessment of when each makes sense.
What This Guide Covers
We’re examining:
- Real cost comparisons: London pet sitter vs cattery/kennels with everything included
- Stress analysis: Impact on different pet personalities
- Quality of care comparison: What you actually get
- Hidden factors: Insurance, medical emergencies, behavioural changes
- When each option wins: Scenario-by-scenario recommendations
- Hybrid approaches: Combining both for best results
Plus an interactive tool that recommends the right option based on your pet, situation, and priorities.
London Quick Cost Comparison
One Dog, 7 Days:
- Pet Sitter (2 visits daily): £240-350
- Pet Sitter (overnight): £595-910
- Kennels: £245-420
- Your home + twice-daily walks: Similar to kennels but pet stays home
One Cat, 7 Days:
- Pet Sitter (daily visit): £105-182
- Pet Sitter (2 visits daily): £210-364
- Cattery: £105-168
- Pet sitter slightly more expensive but cat stays home
Two Pets, 7 Days:
- Pet Sitter: £280-490
- Kennels/Cattery: £350-588 (double rate)
- Multiple pets = pet sitter becomes better value
London: Pet Sitter vs Kennel/Cattery Decision Tool
- Your pet’s confident personality suits either option
- Cost is priority – kennels cheaper for single pets
- Weekend duration = not too stressful for boarding
- Consider trial visit to assess comfort
Real Cost Comparison: London Numbers
One Dog, One Week
Pet Sitter (2 Daily Visits):
- Morning walk (30 min): £22
- Evening walk (30 min): £22
- Daily total: £44
- 7 days: £308
Pet Sitter (Overnight Stay):
- Per night: £85-130
- 7 nights: £595-910
Kennels:
- Zone 3-4 kennels: £35-45/night
- 7 nights: £245-315
Winner: Kennels by £63-90 (for two visits) or £280-595 (vs overnight)
But consider: Travel to/from kennels (£15-30 petrol + 2-4 hours your time)
One Cat, One Week
Pet Sitter (Daily Visit):
- 30 minutes: £15-26
- 7 days: £105-182
Pet Sitter (2 Daily Visits):
- Morning + evening: £30-52
- 7 days: £210-364
Cattery:
- Standard pen: £15-18/night
- Better accommodation: £20-24/night
- 7 nights: £105-168
Winner: Nearly identical cost. Cattery £5-15 cheaper for single daily visit.
Consider: Cat stress (most cats prefer home)
Two Dogs, One Week
Pet Sitter (2 Daily Visits):
- Two dogs: £50-65/day
- 7 days: £350-455
Pet Sitter (Overnight):
- Two dogs: £105-150/night
- 7 nights: £735-1050
Kennels:
- Two dogs: £70-90/night (full double rate)
- 7 nights: £490-630
Winner: Pet sitter (visits) by £35-175. Nearly identical to kennels.
Two Cats, One Week
Pet Sitter (Daily Visit):
- Two cats: £19-30
- 7 days: £133-210
Cattery:
- Two cats: £30-42/night
- 7 nights: £210-294
Winner: Pet sitter by £77-84
Three+ Pets, One Week
Pet Sitter:
- Scales well: £280-450/week
- Multiple pets = modest increments
Kennels/Cattery:
- Three pets: £630-945/week
- Each additional = full rate
Winner: Pet sitter by £180-495
Multiple pets = pet sitter becomes significantly better value
Hidden Costs Comparison
Pet Sitter Hidden Costs
Premium Timing:
- Bank holidays: +30-50%
- Christmas: +60-100%
- Last-minute: +25-50%
Additional Services:
- Medications: +£3-10/visit
- Extra walk: +£15-25
- Plant watering: Usually included
- Mail collection: Usually included
Key Replacement:
- If lost: £50-150
- Key safe: £30-60 (one-off)
Total Hidden Costs: £50-200 depending on circumstances
Kennels/Cattery Hidden Costs
Transport:
- Petrol: £10-30 round trip
- Your time: 2-4 hours total
- Time value: £20-100 (at £10-25/hr)
Vaccinations:
- Required: £40-80 if not current
- Kennel cough: £25-40 additional
Collection Fees:
- Late collection: £20-50
- Bank holiday collection: £30-60
Extras:
- Premium accommodation: +£10-25/night
- Individual walks: +£5-15/day
- Special diet: +£3-8/day
- Medication administration: +£5-12/day
Total Hidden Costs: £75-350 depending on pet needs
Stress Analysis: Impact on Your Pet
Confident, Sociable Dogs
Kennels:
- Stress level: Low-Moderate
- Enjoys other dogs
- Active environment stimulating
- Professional care
- Returns tired and happy
Pet Sitter:
- Stress level: Minimal
- Familiar environment
- Normal routine
- Less stimulation (could be boring for high-energy)
Winner: Either works. Confident dogs adapt well.
Anxious/Nervous Dogs
Kennels:
- Stress level: High-Severe
- New environment overwhelming
- Other dogs frightening
- Noise stressful
- Possible behavioural regression
Pet Sitter:
- Stress level: Low-Moderate
- Familiar home
- Normal routine maintained
- No scary dogs
- Gradual adjustment to sitter
Winner: Pet sitter absolutely. Kennels inappropriate for anxious dogs.
Senior Dogs
Kennels:
- Stress level: Moderate-High
- Routine disruption difficult
- Medical needs harder to monitor
- Mobility challenges with unfamiliar space
- Recovery from boarding can take days
Pet Sitter:
- Stress level: Low
- Routine maintained
- Medical schedule precise
- Familiar environment easier to navigate
- No recovery period needed
Winner: Pet sitter strongly recommended for seniors.
Confident Cats
Cattery:
- Stress level: Moderate
- Confined space (even spacious pens)
- Unfamiliar sounds/smells
- No hiding spots
- Toilet in same space as sleeping
Pet Sitter:
- Stress level: Low-Moderate
- Own territory
- Hiding spots available
- Normal toilet arrangement
- Familiar routine
Winner: Pet sitter. Most cats prefer home.
Anxious Cats
Cattery:
- Stress level: Severe
- Can cause serious distress
- Stop eating (common)
- Hide constantly
- Possible illness from stress
Pet Sitter:
- Stress level: Low-Moderate
- Familiar territory crucial
- Can hide in safe spots
- Gradual adjustment to sitter
- Much less traumatic
Winner: Pet sitter essential. Cattery inappropriate.
Quality of Care Comparison
Daily Routine
Kennels/Cattery:
- Set schedule (not yours)
- Group walks (dogs) typically 2-3 times daily
- Feeding at set times
- Limited individual attention
- Professional but institutional
Pet Sitter:
- Your exact routine maintained
- Your usual walking routes
- Your feeding schedule
- Individual attention
- Personalized but varies by sitter
Winner: Pet sitter for routine maintenance
Medical Care
Kennels/Cattery:
- Experienced with medications
- Vet relationships established
- Can handle emergencies
- 24-hour monitoring
- Professional protocols
Pet Sitter:
- Administers medications as instructed
- Takes to your vet if needed
- Less monitoring than kennels
- Relies on your emergency plan
- Variable experience
Winner: Kennels for complex medical needs, pet sitter for simple medications
Socialization
Kennels:
- Dogs get extensive socialization
- Supervised play groups
- Multiple daily interactions
- Good for sociable dogs
- Can be overwhelming for shy dogs
Pet Sitter:
- Minimal socialization (just sitter)
- Possible other dogs on group walks
- Your usual dog park friends
- Better for dogs with specific friends
- Not suitable for dogs needing extensive social
Winner: Kennels for social dogs needing interaction
When Pet Sitter Wins
Clear Pet Sitter Situations
Anxious/Nervous Pets: No question. Pet sitter only humane option.
Senior Pets: Routine and familiarity essential. Pet sitter strongly recommended.
Multiple Pets (3+): Cost becomes better with sitter. Pets stay together.
Medical Needs: Simple medications better at home with sitter. Complex needs = consider vet boarding.
Cats: Most cats significantly less stressed at home. Pet sitter recommended unless cat has positive cattery history.
Home Security Concern: Pet sitter provides occupied home benefit. Kennels don’t.
Routine Critical: Sitter maintains exact routine. Kennels can’t match your specific schedule.
When Kennels/Cattery Wins
Clear Kennels Situations
Confident, Sociable Dogs: May genuinely enjoy kennels. Professional care, socialization, stimulation.
Cost Priority (Single Pet, Extended Trip): Kennels 30-50% cheaper for 2+ weeks with one pet.
No Suitable Pet Sitter Available: Christmas, last-minute, peak season – sometimes kennels only option.
Complex Medical Needs: 24-hour monitoring + immediate vet access. Kennels (or vet boarding) safer.
No Home Access: Building restrictions, no key access, unsafe area. Kennels solves problem.
Young, High-Energy Dogs: Constant activity and stimulation. Kennels provide this, sitter might not match energy level.
Hybrid Approaches
Best of Both Worlds
Trial Period:
- Week 1: Pet sitter
- Week 2: Kennels
Different care types. If extended trip, mix approaches.
Alternating Care:
- Regular holidays: Pet sitter
- Christmas (expensive): Kennels
Saves money during peak pricing.
Split Duration:
- Week 1-2: Pet sitter (ease pet in)
- Week 3-4: Kennels (cost saving)
Gradual transition less stressful.
Emergency Scenarios
Unexpected Medical Emergency
Pet Sitter:
- Takes to vet as instructed
- You pay vet bills
- Pet insurance covers (check policy)
- Sitter follows your emergency plan
Kennels:
- Immediate vet access
- Established relationships
- 24-hour monitoring
- Professional emergency protocol
Winner: Kennels for serious emergencies (better monitoring)
Last-Minute Cancellation
Pet Sitter:
- Might have backup network
- Can often accommodate changes
- More flexible generally
Kennels:
- Strict booking policies
- Cancellation fees common
- Less flexibility
Winner: Pet sitter (more flexible)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit my pet at kennels during stay? Some allow, most discourage. Disrupts settling, causes stress when you leave again.
Do pet sitters send updates? Most send daily photos/videos. Ask upfront. TraderStreet sitters typically very communicative.
What if my pet hates kennels? Don’t force it. Find pet sitter. Traumatizing pets for cost savings isn’t worth it.
Can kennels handle special diets? Yes, if you provide food. Discuss thoroughly beforehand.
What if pet sitter can’t handle emergency? Sitter should have plan (take to vet, contact you). Check this before booking.
Are catteries cruel? Not inherently, but cats are territorial. Most prefer home. Good catteries better than bad ones, but home usually best.
Final Thoughts: Making the Right Choice
There’s no universally “better” option. It depends entirely on your specific situation:
Choose Pet Sitter If:
- Anxious/nervous pet
- Senior pet
- Multiple pets (3+)
- Cat (almost always)
- Routine absolutely critical
- Home security benefit wanted
- Simple medical needs
- Budget allows premium for peace of mind
Choose Kennels/Cattery If:
- Confident, sociable dog
- Cost priority with single pet on extended trip
- Complex medical needs requiring 24hr monitoring
- No suitable pet sitter available
- Dog genuinely enjoys boarding
- Need professional environment
Consider Hybrid If:
- Extended trip (2+ weeks)
- Want balance of cost and care
- Trial both to see what works
- Different pets have different needs
Most Important: Your pet’s wellbeing trumps cost savings. Traumatizing an anxious dog to save £200 isn’t worth it. But equally, a confident Labrador who loves kennels doesn’t need expensive pet sitter if you can’t afford it.
Know your pet. Choose what works for them, your situation, and your budget.
Ready to find the right care for your London pet? Search TraderStreet for zero-commission pet sitters, or ask for kennel/cattery recommendations in your area.
Related Guides:
- What Pet Sitters Actually Cost in London: Complete Pricing Guide
- Finding a Reliable Pet Sitter in London: Complete Area Guide
Regularly updated with current London pet care landscape