Everyone deserves a break, but for pet owners, planning a holiday comes with extra emotional and financial strain. Leaving your beloved dog behind, whether in a kennel or with a trusted sitter, can be distressing. The worry, guilt, and rising pet care costs add unexpected pressure to what should be a time to relax and recharge.
According to recent research from TrustedHousesitters, the average cost of a week’s overnight care for a dog in the UK is approx. £204.61 per week, with luxury kennels charging as much as £560.77. Even if you choose to hire a sitter, overnight rates typically range from £60 to £75 per night, almost as much as a luxury spa treatment.
While many holidaymakers budget for their flights, hotels, and spending money, most don’t expect to have to fork out hundreds of pounds to ensure their pets are cared for while they’re away, but this is an additional expense that needs to be factored into their overall holiday budget. Particularly in the summer holiday months, as pet care costs can skyrocket due to high demand for kennel space.
Another consideration is that if your return journey home from your holiday is struck by unavoidable delays and disruptions, its likely you’ll be charged extra kennel fees to keep your pet for any unexpected additional nights.
A money expert has revealed an easy ‘hack’ that pet owners should look out for to overcome these last-minute extra kennel fees if delays were to occur. The key is to buy the right travel insurance policy. Depending on their travel insurance, travellers can usually claim back any unexpected kennel fees for their furry companions if they have this travel delay benefit.
Hannah Mayfield, a money expert working with specialist travel insurance comparison company PayingTooMuch, says, “With the right policy the cost of pet care is covered in the form of additional kennel or cattery fees if you are delayed on your return home.
“It’s a small additional cover benefit but for anyone who travels and boards their pet, it’s reassuring to know you can recoup some of the cost if you were stuck abroad longer than anticipated,” she advises.
Not all policies include this benefit, but those that do gives you that extra peace of mind— not just from a financial point of view but also that your fury friends can continue to be looked after and remain in a safe place until you return.
“If you have pets, it’s best practice to check if your travel insurance policy covers unplanned additional boarding fees due to travel delays. It’s likely that certain policies will account for delays and disruptions and cover an extra day’s cost of taking care of your pet. Just remember to look under the ‘delayed return’ or ‘additional expenses’ section of your policy,” she advises.
Hannah also reminds travellers to have a contingency plan in place. It’s a good idea to discuss a possible delayed return with their pet sitter or kennel and provide additional contact details, for a family member in the UK should a delay occur.
“To get the most out of your cover, compare the daily limit, as some insurers may offer more than others. Keep all official documentation of any delays – as you’ll need this to send to your insurer to claim for the extra kennel or cattery costs. Travellers should also check what counts as a valid delay; it’s usually something outside of your control, like a medical emergency, severe weather, airline cancellations, or air traffic control strikes,” she says.
Lastly, Hannah shares, “It’s a good idea to always compare travel insurance to see which policies offer cover for last minute kennel and pet sitting fees. The right policy can help you recover these unexpected expenses, so it’s important to choose one that matches your needs. With many options available, look for insurance that offers the right level of protection for what matters most to you. That way, you can travel with greater peace of mind.”
