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Best Dog Daycares in San Mateo, CA

Our Recommended Top 6

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored San Mateo Dog Daycares on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

24Reviewed

16Curated

6Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider
Rover logo

RoverExpertise.com

San Mateo, CA
$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 Day Care
  • Drop Off and Pick Up Anytime

San Mateo, CA

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Dog Daycare in San Mateo? 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.

San Carlos, CA 94070

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (140)
Google
4.8 (62)

Why choose this provider?

Smilin Dogs serves San Carlos and the surrounding areas in California, providing professional dog care services. The team at Smilin Dogs specializes in daycare, boarding, training, bathing, and hiking with dogs in their massive indoor/outdoor facility with multiple large play areas and hiking trails. In addition to their regular services, they also chauffeur dogs to and from daycare. They are committed to providing the highest quality services for dogs and their owners, treating every pet as a member of the Smilin Dogs family. Their facilities are clean, safe, and stocked with toys, swimming areas, shade, sun, and comfortable beds.

San Carlos, CA 94070

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.7 (71)
Google
4.5 (15)

Why choose this provider?

Holiday Kennels serves San Carlos and the surrounding areas in California, providing professional pet services. The team at Holiday Kennels specializes in boarding, grooming, and daycare. They offer spacious indoor and outdoor spaces for playing, sleeping, and relaxing, and the staff constantly supervises their charges and offers personalized grooming services. The facilities are climate controlled for clients' health and safety, and the team maintains the entire building, keeping it clean and safe. They provide healthy, holistic, and natural food for their boarders, and they educate owners on a variety of pet-related health, safety, and traveling issues using material from the SPCA.

San Mateo, CA 94403

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (25)
Facebook
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Anne's Peninsula Pet Care serves San Mateo, San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, and the surrounding areas in California, providing professional pet care services. The team at Anne's Peninsula Pet Care specializes in drop-in walks and potty breaks as well as daycare services and boarding. In addition to their regular services, they also offer limited overnight stays in staff homes for pets who prefer quiet spaces. They are fully insured and bonded, and the team is certified in pet CPR. They offer free consultations, including meet and greets, to ensure each pet is right for the environment at Anne's Peninsula Pet Care.

Belmont, CA 94002

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Yelp
4.5 (91)
Google
4.6 (74)

Why choose this provider?

Happy Tails Dog Daycare, Inc. serves Belmont and the surrounding areas in California, providing professional pet care services. The team at Happy Tails Dog Daycare, Inc. specializes in boarding, daycare, and grooming in their cage-free, spacious, clean, and well-maintained indoor and outdoor spaces. Their indoor spaces are climate controlled and perfect for frisbee, fetch, and tug-of-war, and their staff loves dogs and is experienced with all breeds. They provide a variety of mentally and emotionally stimulating activities in their well-supervised environment. In addition to their regular services, they also offer bathing, grooming, de-shedding treatments, and haircuts.

Compare our Top Dog Daycares

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Rover
San Mateo, CA$10 off first booking!
Smilin Dogs
San Carlos, CA 94070
Holiday Kennels
San Carlos, CA 94070
Anne's Peninsula Pet Care
San Mateo, CA 94403
Happy Tails Dog Daycare, Inc.
Belmont, CA 94002

FAQs

  • Introduction

    It can be stressful for dog parents to leave their fur babies alone at home while they’re away. They worry about their pooch being anxious, lonely, bored, and destructive. Plus, safety is a concern, along with the fear that their dog will leave unwelcome surprises for them in their home. If that describes you, dog daycare may be the solution.

    Doggie daycare can help socialize your pup while ensuring that they have care, exercise, regular potty breaks, and safe supervision. Dog owners who use doggy daycare services provide additional reasons for their choice. It can offer a better quality of life for their four-legged friends, keep homes free of pet messes, and help with canine health and physical fitness.
  • What is a dog daycare?

    Dog daycare is on-site, supervised daily care for dogs. Pet owners bring their animals to the daycare location on their way to work, then return at the end of the day to pick them up. There are commercial doggie daycare facilities and private, in-home options. Commercial daycare businesses usually have more staff and more dog clients than private ones.

  • What happens at doggy daycare?

    Reputable, well-rated dog daycare operations typically offer several activities for the dogs they care for. That includes walks, playtime, naps, dog food, and water. Some providers also offer companionship, snuggles, and special options, such as dispensing medication, grooming, and training. When choosing a doggy daycare, ask about all the available services and whether visits or video observation are available.

  • Should I take my dog to daycare?

    Answers to the following questions can help you decide on doggie daycare services.

    • Are you away from home for several hours most days of the week?
    • Does your pup engage in destructive behavior while you’re gone?
    • Is your pooch crated for several hours every day?
    • Does your dog walker report issues?
    These concerns may indicate the need for doggy daycare.

  • How much is doggy daycare per day?

    Rates vary, depending on location, demand, and competition. But the national average typically ranges from $25 to $40 per day. Half-day rates may also be available. Commercial dog daycare centers commonly charge a bit more than in-home providers. Many facilities offer price breaks on weekly and monthly packages as well as discounts to multiple dog families.  

  • How do I know if my dog likes daycare?

    The following are signs your pup likes doggy daycare. She falls asleep on the ride home, exhausted from a full day of activity or she quivers with excitement when you mention the daycare and is beside herself with joy leaving the house. Also look to see if your pup exhibits positive body language at the daycare — like a wagging tail that means they're eager to see everyone.

  • How do I prepare my dog for daycare?

    They’ll be around other dogs all day, playing and interacting. So, take your pup to a dog park several times for an introduction to dog language with other canines. Bring your fur baby to the daycare to meet the staff before using the service. Plus, walk your pup before drop-off and be upbeat and positive to avoid stress.

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