How much does dog daycare cost in Austin in 2026? Across the city, daily rates typically fall between $29 and $40, averaging around $37 a day, depending on the facility and what’s included in that price. At Barkingham Place, daycare is a flat $35 a day. Below is a full breakdown of what that rate covers, how it stacks up against the rest of the Austin market, and how it compares to boarding.
How Much Does Dog Daycare Cost in Austin, TX?
Full-day dog daycare in Austin runs $29 to $40 per day, according to Rover’s Austin pricing data, with the citywide average landing around $37 a day, slightly below the national average of roughly $40.
At Barkingham Place, daycare is priced simply:
- Daycare (any age dog): $35 per day, flat rate
- Up to 10 hours of supervised play and activity included
- Daily photo updates, minimum two per day, included
One flat rate, no per-service math required.
Calculate Your Dog’s Exact Boarding Cost
What’s Included in the $35 Daily Rate
The $35 rate covers a full day of supervised care in a home-like setting, not time spent sitting in a kennel run. Specifically, it includes:
- Up to 10 hours of supervised play and activity
- Dogs grouped by size and energy level for safe, comfortable play
- Feedings provided as needed throughout the day
- Daily photo updates, at least two per day, so you know how your dog’s day is going
- A home-like environment with spacious, climate-controlled play areas
Every dog needs a Meet & Greet before their first visit. It’s a short, no-commitment visit that lets the team see how your dog responds to the environment and other dogs before their first full day.
Does Barkingham Charge Extra for Puppies?
No. Puppies attend daycare at the same flat $35 rate as adult dogs, just with extra attention built in. That’s different from overnight boarding, where puppies under 1 year board at a higher flat rate to cover the additional overnight supervision they need. Daycare doesn’t carry that same add-on, since puppies are home each night rather than staying overnight.
See dog daycare for puppies in Austin for more on getting a young puppy started.
Full-Day Daycare Cost in Austin
Barkingham’s $35 rate covers a full day of supervised play, up to 10 hours. Some Austin facilities also offer half-day options at a lower price point, generally in the $15 to $20 range across the market, for dogs that don’t need a full day of activity. If you’re weighing a full day against a shorter visit for your dog, it’s worth asking any facility directly what’s available and what fits your schedule and your dog’s energy level best.
What Can Add to Your Dog Daycare Cost in Austin
Barkingham keeps daycare simple at one flat rate, but it’s worth knowing what tends to push daycare costs up elsewhere in the Austin market, since pricing varies a lot between facilities. According to Rover’s data, common add-ons across Austin daycare providers include:
- A second dog from the same household, typically an additional cost per day
- Late pickup fees if you’re running behind schedule
- Transport to and from daycare, if a facility offers pickup service
- Bathing or grooming add-ons at the end of the day
- Combining daycare with an overnight boarding stay
None of these are universal, and which ones apply (and how much they cost) depends entirely on the facility. It’s a good reason to ask directly about total cost rather than comparing headline daily rates alone.
How Daycare Cost Compares to Boarding in Austin
Daycare and boarding solve different problems, and the cost difference reflects that. Daycare covers a single day of supervised play while you’re at work or running errands, at $35 a day. Boarding covers an overnight stay, starting at $55 a night, since it includes 24/7 overnight supervision on top of daytime play.
If you’re trying to figure out which one your situation calls for, see how much does dog boarding cost in Austin for the full boarding breakdown, or is dog daycare worth it in Austin if you’re still deciding whether daycare makes sense for your dog’s routine.
Why Dog Daycare Is Worth It for Many Austin Dogs
Price is only part of the equation. Regular daycare gives dogs structured exercise and social time they might not otherwise get during a typical workday, and that matters more than it might seem.
According to the American Kennel Club, ongoing socialization plays a meaningful role in a dog’s long-term behavior and confidence, not just during puppyhood. Dogs that get regular, supervised interaction with other dogs tend to handle new situations more calmly. At Barkingham Place, dogs that arrive with restless energy often settle into a calmer routine after a few regular daycare visits, which is consistent with what the research suggests.
Pet care spending has grown faster than almost any other category of pet spending in recent years, according to the International Boarding & Pet Services Association, and daycare is a meaningful part of that growth as more owners look for structured options during the workday rather than leaving a dog home alone for eight or more hours.
For dogs with a lot of energy, or dogs that get anxious when left alone, a few regular daycare days a week can make a noticeable difference at home too, less pent-up energy at pickup time often means a calmer evening. That’s part of why many Austin pet parents treat daycare as a routine expense rather than an occasional splurge.
For guidance on what to look for beyond price, see how to choose the right doggy daycare in Austin.
Try the Dog Daycare Cost Calculator
If you’re weighing daycare against boarding, or trying to plan out a few days a week, the fastest way to get an exact number is to run it yourself. Barkingham’s price calculator factors in your dog’s schedule so you get a real total instead of a rough estimate.
Get Your Exact Quote With the Cost Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Daycare Cost in Austin
How much does dog daycare cost per day in Austin?
Dog daycare in Austin typically costs $29 to $40 per day depending on the facility. At Barkingham Place, the flat rate is $35 a day for any age dog.
Does Barkingham Place charge extra for puppies at daycare?
No. Puppies attend at the same $35 flat rate as adult dogs, with extra attention built in rather than an added fee.
Is dog daycare cheaper than boarding in Austin?
Yes, for a single day. Daycare is $35 a day compared to $55 a night for boarding, since boarding includes overnight supervision that daycare doesn’t need.
How many hours of care does the daycare rate include?
The $35 rate covers up to 10 hours of supervised play and activity in a single day.
Do I need a Meet & Greet before my dog’s first daycare visit?
Yes. Every dog needs a short, no-commitment Meet & Greet before their first full daycare day so the team can see how they do in the environment.
What’s included in the $35 daily rate?
The rate includes up to 10 hours of supervised play, feedings as needed, and at least two photo updates during the day, all in a home-like setting rather than a kennel.
Looking for Trusted Dog Daycare in Austin?
Looking for trusted dog daycare or boarding in Austin? Barkingham Place has been caring for Austin dogs for 8+ years, with 24/7 supervision, a 4.9 Google rating, and 9 out of 10 clients returning. 👉 Book a Meet & Greet or call (737) 373-4736 to get started.
