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Best Dog Boarding Facilities in Des Moines, IA

Our Recommended Top 13

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Des Moines Dog Boarding Facilities on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

59Reviewed

40Curated

13Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider
Rover logo

RoverExpertise.com

Des Moines, IA
$10 off first booking!

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Rover offers doggy daycare services for pet owners throughout the local area. Its network includes thousands of pet sitters that are available to care for dogs while their owners work or travel. The service connects sitters with clients online or through its app. Customers can meet with sitters prior to booking, and services are available for a range of dogs, including high-energy puppies and dogs with special needs.

  • Dog Boarding
  • Puppy Care

Des Moines, IA

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Dog Boarding Facility in Des Moines? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

2150 Delavan Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50265

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Since 2010, Canine Country Club has been serving dog owners in Des Moines and the surrounding areas. The locally owned and operated facility provides luxury suites with webcams, allowing clients to check on their pets. Its suites are designed with a homey overnight lodging experience in mind. It offers daycare and VIP playtime to all boarded dogs. Its staff members engage in mentally and physically stimulating activities with canines in a room with cushioned flooring.

  • Training
  • Daycare
  • Boarding

7502 Raccoon River Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.8 (10)
Yelp
3.5 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Raccoon River Kennels is a full-service facility that caters to clients in Des Moines and nearby metros. It offers overnight boarding and daycare services for dogs. Its team of professionals serves boarders with blankets, beds, leashes, and bowls. In addition, all dogs get a minimum of three exercise periods per day. The facility has an assortment of food options including Science Diet, Kirkland, Iams, and Eukenuba. Raccoon River Kennels aims to provide dogs with a safe place while owners are away.

  • Daycare

2960 Southeast Grimes Boulevard, Grimes, IA 50111

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.9 (58)
Yelp
4.0 (17)

Why choose this provider?

Dogwoods Lodge is a pet care facility serving the Des Moines area. Canine guests can enjoy luxury overnight accommodations, which include heated floors, nightly health checks, and six to seven outings a day. Pets can also be pampered in the grooming salon equipped with a walk-in bath and low noise levels, with ear muffs if needed. The facility also offers classes and private lessons at the lodge or at home. Dogwoods Lodge is a member of the International Boarding & Pet Services Association.

  • Bathing / Grooming
  • Daycare

3235 99th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (20)

Why choose this provider?

The Barking Lot is a family-owned dog boarding facility serving Des Moines pet owners. It offers dog boarding in its premium suites with laminate walls and glass fronts to provide a private and quiet environment. The facility has a cattery with a custom-built catwalk and provides grooming and training services for both cats and dogs. The Barking Lot is a member of the Grimes Chamber & Economic Development and the IBPSA. Its staff members are certified in pet first aid and CPR.

  • Daycare

5330 Northwest Beaver Drive, Johnston, IA 50131

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Rush Animal Care Clinic P.C. assists pet owners in Des Moines who are looking for one-day or extended accommodations for their dogs. It offers a climate-controlled area where dogs are boarded separately for every guest's comfort and safety. Its veterinary staff is available to supervise the pets' needs, including medications, food, and supplements. Rush Animal Care Clinic was founded in 1992 by Barb Rush, an Elite Fear Free-certified veterinarian who owns four shelties.

  • Grooming

724 Scott Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (28)
Yelp
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Downtown Doggy Daycare is a dog boarding facility based in Des Moines. It has a 3,000-square-foot indoor arena divided into four rooms to group dogs according to size and personality. In addition, the lodging offers a 14,000-square-foot fenced outdoor play area where pups can exercise and get fresh air. Whether it's kennel boarding or suite boarding, pets are provided with clean water, comfortable bedding, dimmed lights, and mellow music. Downtown Doggy Daycare is a member of the IBPSA.

  • Daycare
  • Grooming

2801 Westover Boulevard, Des Moines, IA 50322

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

In the business for over 50 years, Wil-A-Lo Kennels is a locally owned pet boarding and daycare facility situated in a four-acre wooded property in Des Moines. Catering to small pets like dogs and cats, the facility offers day and overnight boarding services, including private room accommodation, food, and personal attention. Add-on services to keep pets entertained and pampered—like nature walks, play sessions, grooming, and specialty treats—are also available. Wil-A-Lo Kennels is owned by local veterinarian Tera Dupuy.

  • Daycare

1427 Northwest 81st Street, Clive, IA 50325

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.8 (17)
Yelp
3.5 (6)

Why choose this provider?

It's a Ruff Life is a dog daycare facility that serves Des Moines, Clive, Waukee, and the surrounding towns and cities. It offers a range of services, including overnight boarding, daycare, and grooming. The business caters to dogs of various breeds, sizes, and temperaments. It's a Ruff Life has over 9,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor play areas for dogs to play in and exercise. Additionally, its professionals are certified in canine first aid and CPR so they can respond during emergencies.

  • Daycare

1487 Q Avenue, Boone, IA 50036

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.5 (6)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Ledges Farm Dog Camp is a dog boarding business serving Des Moines and the surrounding areas. The facility has 10,000 square feet of fenced runs, and every camper has a raised bed, fleecy bedding, and three hours of leash-free play every day. The farm is surrounded by forests and ponds to mentally stimulate pets with sights, sounds, and smells of nature and wildlife. Ledges Farm Dog Camp also has an agility course complete with teeter-totters, dog walks, double bar jumps, and A-frames.

  • Dog Walking

6301 Southwest 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

South Des Moines Veterinary Center has been catering to clients in Des Moines and nearby areas since 1964. It offers a wide range of services, including doggy daycare and pet boarding. Its vet services include dental care, diagnostics and lab testing, end-of-life care, pain management, and parasite prevention. Grooming services such as anal gland expression, ear cleaning, full-body brush-outs, hair dying, and nail filling are also available. Melissa Beyer, the owner, is a member of the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

  • Daycare

5278 Northeast 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50313

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

4Paws Unleashed is an all-pet boarding facility serving pet owners in the Des Moines area. It provides dog boarding and daycare services that include games, socialization, and constant supervision. The facility has climate-controlled boarding areas as well as indoor and outdoor play areas. Grooming and one-on-one services are also available. In addition, the facility provides boarding services to pocket pets, such as rabbits, birds, fish, hamsters, snakes, and spiders. 4Paws Unleashed is owned and operated by a certified veterinary technician.

  • Daycare

Compare our Top Dog Boarding Facilities

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Rover
Des Moines, IA$10 off first booking!
Canine Country Club
2150 Delavan Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Raccoon River Kennels
7502 Raccoon River Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Dogwoods Lodge
2960 Southeast Grimes Boulevard, Grimes, IA 50111
The Barking Lot
3235 99th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322
Rush Animal Care Clinic P.C.
5330 Northwest Beaver Drive, Johnston, IA 50131
Downtown Doggy Daycare
724 Scott Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Wil-A-Lo Kennels
2801 Westover Boulevard, Des Moines, IA 50322
It’s A Ruff Life
1427 Northwest 81st Street, Clive, IA 50325
Ledges Farm Dog Camp
1487 Q Avenue, Boone, IA 50036
South Des Moines Veterinary Center
6301 Southwest 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315
4Paws Unleashed
5278 Northeast 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50313

FAQs

  • Introduction

    Dog boarding, sometimes referred to as doggie day care, offers pet-sitting services for dogs of varying breeds and ages. Services provided include overnight housing in temperature- and light-controlled kennels, medication administration, bathing, and feeding with veterinarian-approved food or food brought from home.

    Dog boarding and doggie day care facilities provide owners with peace of mind in knowing that their pets are being cared for by licensed and trained professionals. Boarding options range from one to 30 days or longer, and many companies offer additional services, such as spa treatments and obedience training.
  • What is dog boarding? 

    Dog boarding facilities provide housing and care for dogs for short- and long-term stays. Services include kenneling, daily exercise, feeding, and grooming. While at-home pet sitting providers offer similar services, the main difference between the two is that professional facilities are licensed, and they must follow state regulations to ensure the safety of animals in their care.

  • What is included with dog boarding?

    Services included with dog boarding can vary based on specific facility offerings, but most boarding centers offer daily exercise programs, clean, sanitized bedding, temperature-controlled housing, fresh water, and veterinarian-approved dog food. Boarding technicians also administer required medications and supplements, and many facilities offer grooming and bathing services.

  • Should I board my dog at the vet?

    Certain veterinary offices provide boarding services, as overnight staff are readily available, and animals have immediate access to medical care. While boarding a dog at the vet is perfectly safe, some dogs are uneasy about going to the doctor, leading to anxiety and resistance at drop-off.

  • What is board and training for dogs?

    Board and training programs for dogs combine overnight boarding with obedience training. Dogs stay at boarding facilities throughout their training programs, which typically last between one and four weeks. During their stay, dogs are trained to hinder behavior, such as jumping and pulling on leashes, and they learn basic commands, such as heel and stay.

  • Do dog board and train programs work?

    Board and train programs have proven to be effective for many dogs, as they learn everything from basic commands to new behaviors that result in positive reinforcement. However, not all dogs respond to board and train programs, so alternative training and behavior modification courses may be necessary in some cases.

  • Are there any regulation requirements for dog boarding facilities?

    Specific regulation requirements for dog boarding facilities can vary from state to state, but all kennel owners must obtain the appropriate licensing, and property must be zoned for kenneling. Additionally, all facilities must be designed to remain structurally sound and maintain fresh-air ventilation systems, and hot and cold running water is required.

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