As 2025 winds down, many people are looking back over various statistics from the past 12 months, and analyzing trends and changes. That applies to doggy daycare, too! This sector has been growing in leaps and bounds, all accompanied by enthusiastic pants and tail wags from our canine pals. Read on for some basic info on this ‘pawsome’ service. In this article from Valley Pet Hotel, your Rialto, CA pet kennel, also serving Bloomington, CA, we answer some common questions about Fido’s daycare.
What Are The Statistics On Doggy Daycare?
According to numbers from Grand View Research, America’s pet daycare market was about 1.73 billion in 2024. It’s also expected to grow at roughly 9 percent a year between 2025 and 2030. That’s pretty impressive growth!
The study also delved into the reasons for this growth. Some of the key factors include the following:
- Growth in the overall number of household pets
- Pet Humanization/Awareness of pets’ needs
- Increases In Pet-Related Spending
- More Service Providers
- Initiatives/Marketing
Overall, this reflects some trends in pet ownership overall. As we learn more and more about what our animal companions really need to stay happy and healthy, people are beginning to view services such as pet daycare not as frivolous extras, but as beneficial and, in some cases, quite necessary. Increases in spending on things like high-quality food, grooming products, toys, and even veterinary care also reflect these changing attitudes.
How Long Should Fido Stay In Doggy Daycare?
The answer here is actually in the name doggy daycare. Ideally, Fido’s day should be similar to that of a child in regular (human) daycare. Typically, most pooches will come in for between 8 and 10 hours, usually while their humans are at work. Others do best with half days.
Here at Valley Pet Hotel, we have both morning and evening sessions. We also offer packages, ensuring that we have something for everyone. You can choose from 5, 10, and 20-day packages, depending on what works best for you and your pooch.
Should My Dog Come To Daycare 5 Days A Week?
That may work for some dogs, but the standard is usually about two or three times a week. There are a few reasons for this. For one thing, it is important for Fido to be both accustomed to and comfortable with staying home. It also gives your pooch time to rest and relax between sessions. After a busy, high-energy day of playing and socializing, your pooch may very well need a day to just chill on his doggy bed. Also, for some dogs, five days a week is too much.
You’ll want to talk to the staff at your pet’s daycare, and find out how he did. You ‘ll also be able to get some clues based on how Fido acts when you get him home. If he’s tired for a day or so after daycare, then starts to get zoomy after a few days, you’ll be able to adjust accordingly.
Keep in mind that the frequency may change over time. Fido may need to come in more often when he is a puppy and young adult than he will as a senior.
Do Dogs Miss You At Daycare?
Our canine companions get very, very attached to their humans, which is one of the best things about them. Fido can’t call you to tell you that he misses you, but it’s safe to say that he does. However, it’s also important and healthy for him to be able to amuse himself even when you aren’t with him. After all, we can’t be with our furry besties 24/7 … even if we wanted to.
Do Dogs Get Stressed At Doggy Daycare?
Some dogs do. It’s important to realize that, while doggy daycare can be great, it isn’t the right option for all of our canine pals. Some pups are just too nervous to enjoy it. Others simply don’t enjoy playing with other dogs. Your pet’s history, breed, age, and temperament will all factor in here.
Keep an eye out for signs that your furry buddy is feeling stressed at his daycare. These include the following:
- Excessive Barking
- Pacing
- Shedding
- Drooling
- Aggression
- Yawning
- Ear Position
- Tucked Tail
- Unusual Posturing
- Self-Destructive Behavior (Chewing self, for instance.)
- Lip Licking
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Escape Attempts
- Whale Eye
- Panting
- Shaking
- Loss Of Appetite
You may notice these things when you drop Fido off, or perhaps when you pick him up. Keep in mind that many of these issues can be indicative of medical issues, and so are not solely associated with stress. Your best bet is to play it safe and schedule an exam with your vet. It’s important to rule out physical problems.
Do Dogs Get Tired At Doggy Daycare?
Hopefully, yes! You don’t want Fido to be completely exhausted after a day at dog daycare, but he should have been able to burn off his excess zoomies. In fact, that’s one of the biggest benefits of doggy daycare. It’s important for your canine buddy to be able to burn off those zoomies. Otherwise, he may turn that extra energy into destructive behaviors, such as digging, chewing, or chasing the cat all over the place. Man’s Best Friend is always calmer and better behaved after he’s run off those zoomies!
What Are The Benefits Of Doggy Daycare?
We may be tooting our own horns a bit here, but with good reason. We see firsthand every day the ‘pawsitive’ effects that daycare has on our furry wards!
- Exercise
- Reduce separation anxiety
- Socialization
- Routine
- Peace of mind for humans
- Mental stimulation
- Socialization opportunities
- Safety
- Decreases boredom
- Attention
- Introduces dogs to new environments
- Prevents Loneliness
- Professional Care
- Burns off excess energy
- Grooming Add On
- Comfort/Not Having To Hold It
That said, every dog is different. A pooch that is frightened or anxious of other dogs may not benefit from the experience. And, hopefully this goes without saying, but a dog that is aggressive also isn’t going to be a good fit for pet daycare.
What Dogs Are Best Suited For Doggy Daycare?
At the end of the day, this really is going to vary from pooch to pooch. Dogs all have their own unique personalities, just as people do. This is why we carefully evaluate each dog: to ensure not only that the dog is a good fit for our Rialto, CA dog daycare, but that daycare is a good fit for the dog.
Here are some signs that Fido may or may not do well:
Green Flags:
- Puppies
- Young adult dogs (tweens and teens)
- High-energy Pups
- Super friendly pooches
- Dogs that need lots of stimulation.
Red Flags:
- Anxious Dogs
- Dogs that weren’t socialized
- Fearful Dogs
- Aggressive Dogs
- Dogs with serious medical concerns
Of course, there are also requirements. For instance, we do not accept dogs that are younger than 16 weeks, nor will we take pooches that aren’t fixed.
Make An Appointment At Our Rialto, CA Doggy Daycare
Are you curious about seeing how your dog would do at daycare? Are you interested in boarding? Contact us here at Valley Pet Hotel, your Rialto, CA pet kennel, also serving Bloomington, CA.
