Pet Daycare Market

Starting at US$ 5000

Buy Now
Market Size (2026)
USD 5114.5 Mn
Forecast (2036)
USD 10838.9 Mn
CAGR (2026 to 2036)
7.8%

How big is Pet Daycare Market in 2026?

The pet daycare market is estimated at USD 4,744.4 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 5,114.5 million in 2026. Demand for pet daycare is projected to grow at a 7.8% CAGR between 2026 and 2036 and reach USD 10,838.9 million by 2036.

Pet daycare market size is estimated at USD 4,744.4 million for 2025, and FMI expects USD 5,114.5 million in 2026 as working owners reserve supervised days for dogs left home alone. By 2036 the pet daycare market is projected to reach USD 10,838.9 million, a 7.8% CAGR from the 2026 base. Owners are moving from informal sitters to membership centres with webcams and activity tracking. Dogtopia reported year-to-date same-store sales growth of nearly 7% in August 2026, and 98% of enrolled daycare dogs stayed with the network.[1] Retention at that level shows owners treating daycare as a weekly routine, so a centre that signs a dog early keeps the account for years.

Pet Daycare Market Value Analysis
Pet Daycare Market Value Analysis

Recent franchise moves are changing prices and travel distances for owners. Camp Bow Wow cut the initial investment for a new site by more than USD 400,000 with a smaller prototype, and a three-unit agreement in August 2026 brings camps to Weatherford, Burleson and Granbury in Texas.[2] Cheaper sites let brands open in suburbs that had one independent centre, so owners there gain a second choice and room to compare day-pass and package prices. Membership plans and prepaid packs will tie owners to one centre on monthly terms, and live cameras and activity reports are becoming the first thing buyers check before signing up.

Key Market Trends & Insights

  • Group play sessions are expected to lead service type with an estimated 34.6% of 2026 sales, as owners pay first for a full day of supervised social time, and grooming follows near 22.8%.
  • Among animal types, dogs are likely to account for about 78.4% of 2026 sales and cats about 15.3%. APPA counted 71 million dog-owning households in the United States in 2025.[3]

Regional Highlights

  • Apartment-dwelling office workers keep South Korea first in the country table on FMI's forecast, 8.2%, which is 0.4 points over the pet daycare market rate of 7.8%.
  • Franchise openings hold the United States at 8.1%, and city pet services give China 8%, a shade above Germany on 7.9%. Slightly below the global rate come Australia and New Zealand (7.7%) and the United Kingdom (7.6%), with Japan lowest at 7.5%.
  • Central Bark grew systemwide sales 15% in Q1 2026 across 44 locations in 16 US states.[4]

Market Size & Forecast

Table 1: Market Size and Forecast for the Pet Daycare Market (USD million and percentage), 2025 to 2036

Metric Value
2025 Market Size USD 4,744.4 million
Estimated Market Size in 2026 USD 5,114.5 million
Projected Market Size by 2036 USD 10,838.9 million
CAGR, 2026 to 2036 7.8%
Added Revenue, 2026 to 2036 USD 5,724.4 million
Market Expansion Multiple 2.1x

Daycare sales build visit by visit, as owners buy day passes, then move to packs and monthly memberships once a dog settles. Central Bark reported 11% same-store sales growth in Q1 2026, up from 6% in 2025, and 2025 systemwide sales of USD 34.8 million.[4] Dogtopia counted nearly 5 million dog visits and an average unit volume of nearly USD 1 million in April 2026.[5] Grooming add-ons raise the value of each visit, and with the pet grooming market on a 9.1% CAGR, centres are adding baths and nail trims to the day. Sales in 2036 are expected to be 2.1 times the 2026 level in FMI's model, with about USD 5,724.4 million of new daycare sales added to the pet daycare market. Staff shortages are the main near-term risk, as play groups need a fixed ratio of handlers to dogs.

Membership Economics, Franchise Expansion and Owner Visibility

Memberships are the core of the business model. Dogtopia reported a 90 Net Promoter Score in the first quarter of 2026 and said dogs in daycare average about eight miles, or more than 70,000 steps, of activity each day.[5] The brand had more than 250 sites in the development pipeline and signed 27 agreements the year before.[5] Activity data gives owners proof of what each day buys, which supports full-price packages.

Franchise growth is spreading centres into new suburbs. More than 225 Camp Bow Wow units operated in 42 states and Canada in May 2026, and the brand called the reduced-investment prototype one of the most significant changes in brand history.[6] PetSmart said overnight boarding and Doggie Day Camp run in many of nearly 1,700 stores.[7] Larger networks will compete on price and convenience, and independent centres will lean on local reputation and specialist care.

Table 2: Membership, Network and Owner Indicators for the Pet Daycare Market (sales growth, units and households), 2026

Indicator Data Point Relevance Source
Dogtopia year-to-date same-store sales, August 2026 Nearly 7%; 98% retention Membership loyalty [1]
Dogtopia dog visits, April 2026 Nearly 5 million Visit volume per network [5]
Camp Bow Wow network, May 2026 More than 225 units in 42 states and Canada Franchise reach [6]
Central Bark systemwide sales, Q1 2026 Up 15%; same-store up 11% Regional chain growth [4]
US dog-owning households, 2025 71 million Core buyer base [3]
US cat-owning households, 2025 53 million Cat care potential [8]
PetSmart store network, June 2026 Nearly 1,700 stores Retail day camp reach [7]

Analyst Perspective

“Membership daycare with live cameras and activity reports will, in my view, become the default for city dog owners over the next decade, as owners want proof of each day a dog spends away. Centres that bundle play, grooming and wellness checks into one monthly plan are opening a steadier subscription lane for working owners, and I expect cat day care to grow from a small base once operators build quiet, separate rooms.”

- Rahul Pandita, Principal Consultant, Future Market Insights.

How is the pet daycare market segmented?

The market is segmented into service type, animal type, and region. Group play sessions are expected to lead service type with an estimated 34.6% share in 2026, and dogs lead animal type with about 78.4%.

By service type: group play sessions, exercise, poolside, grooming, veterinary, and others.

By animal type: dogs, cats, and others.

By region: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South Asia and Pacific, and Middle East and Africa.

Why do group play sessions lead pet daycare sales by service type?

Pet Daycare Market Analysis by Service Type
Pet Daycare Market Analysis by Service Type

Group play sessions are expected to lead service type sales with an estimated 34.6% share in 2026, ahead of grooming at about 22.8%, exercise near 16.4%, veterinary at roughly 11.2%, poolside around 6.3% and other services at 8.7%.

Table 3: Service Type Share for the Pet Daycare Market (percentage share), 2026

Service Type Estimated Share (2026)
Group Play Sessions 34.6%
Grooming 22.8%
Exercise 16.4%
Veterinary 11.2%
Poolside 6.3%
Others 8.7%
Total 100.0%

Table 4: Service Type Leadership and Market Growth for the Pet Daycare Market (segment and CAGR percentage), 2026 to 2036

Metric Value
Global CAGR (2026 to 2036) 7.8%
Leading Segment Group Play Sessions

Owners leaving for work need a full day of supervision and social contact, and group play sessions are expected to lead with an estimated 34.6% of 2026 sales. Grooming, about 22.8%, is bought every few weeks as an add-on, not every day. Exercise programmes, near 16.4%, suit high-energy breeds but serve fewer dogs per handler. Veterinary checks, roughly 11.2%, need licensed staff, so many centres refer out. Poolside sessions, around 6.3%, need water and lifeguard-trained staff, and other services, 8.7%, cover training and transport. Gadgets that track play and rest support the premium on group days, and the pet gadgets market is forecast to expand on a 15.1% CAGR. Group play will keep the volume lead, and grooming will add the most value per visit.

  • Full-day play, half-day play and small-dog groups form the core of supervised sessions.
  • Dogtopia DASH, an activity monitor for dogs in daycare, received the Health-Focused Product of the Year award at the Pet Innovation Awards in 2026.[1]

Why do dogs lead pet daycare sales by animal type?

Dogs are likely to lead animal type sales with about 78.4% share in 2026, against an estimated 15.3% for cats and 6.3% for other animals.

Table 5: Animal Type Share for the Pet Daycare Market (percentage share), 2026

Animal Type Estimated Share (2026)
Dogs 78.4%
Cats 15.3%
Others 6.3%
Total 100.0%

Dogs need walks, company and play during a working day, so dogs are likely to lead with about 78.4% in 2026. Cats, an estimated 15.3%, cope better alone, and most cat owners use sitters or boarding for trips, so few centres build cat rooms. APPA counted 53 million US cat-owning households in 2025.[8] Other animals, near 6.3%, include rabbits, birds and small mammals, mostly in boarding during holidays. Insured owners expect regular health checks, and growth of the pet insurance market will keep vet screening part of daycare enrolment. Dog care will keep the lead, and cat day rooms will grow in large cities.

  • Working-owner dogs, puppies in socialisation and senior dogs make up most daycare enrolments.
  • Four in ten US dog owners rely on a friend or relative to care for the dog during travel, APPA reported in July 2026.[3]

What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the pet daycare market?

Working owners in cities need daytime supervision for dogs. Staff costs and informal sitters squeeze centres, and activity tracking and wellness add-ons open higher-value plans.

  • Driver: Dual-income households and office returns leave dogs alone for long hours, so owners schedule regular daycare days.
  • Restraint: Play groups need trained handlers at fixed ratios, and informal sitters and friends compete on price for occasional care.
  • Opportunity: Owners want proof of activity and health, which rewards centres that bundle cameras, step data and wellness checks into monthly plans.

Working Owners Schedule Regular Days

Demand for pet daycare grows with the number of dogs left alone during work hours. APPA reported 71 million US dog-owning households in 2025, up 4%.[3] Central Bark said same-store sales growth rose to 11% in Q1 2026.[4] Each new working household with a dog becomes a candidate for two or three paid days each week. Growth of the pet market, on an 8.3% CAGR, adds new owners who will need weekday care.

Staff Costs and Informal Care Hold Back Margins

Handler wages and free care from friends weigh on margins across the pet daycare market. APPA reported in July 2026 that dog owners spent less on boarding, salon grooming and mobile grooming in 2025.[3] Owners who trim discretionary pet care will cut extra days first, so centres will price packs to hold weekly visits.

Activity Data and Wellness Plans Raise Value

Adoption of tracked, wellness-led daycare is rising among premium owners. Dogtopia had more than 70 individualized behavior modification plans in place by August 2026, across over five million dog visits.[1] Camp Bow Wow said franchise candidates are looking for smarter economics, and the lower-cost prototype is drawing multi-unit agreements.[2] Operators adding health and behaviour services will raise spend per visit.

Which country CAGRs are profiled in the pet daycare market?

Table 6: Country CAGR Comparison for the Pet Daycare Market (CAGR percentage), 2026 to 2036

Pet Daycare Market Geography Growth Comparison
Pet Daycare Market Geography Growth Comparison
Country CAGR (2026 to 2036)
South Korea 8.2%
United States 8.1%
China 8%
Germany 7.9%
Australia and New Zealand 7.7%
United Kingdom 7.6%
Japan 7.5%

How do country-level CAGRs compare in the pet daycare market?

Office workers in Seoul and Busan are adopting dogs in small apartments and need daytime care, so FMI's forecast puts South Korea first at 8.2%. The United States, the largest daycare base, follows at 8.1% as franchise networks open in suburbs. China grows at 8% with new pet services in large cities. Germany, at 7.9%, gains from pet welfare rules and rising pet care budgets. Outdoor-led centres keep Australia and New Zealand close behind on 7.7%. The United Kingdom, at 7.6%, has many home boarders and dog walkers. Japan, at 7.5%, has a smaller share of dog households and more indoor pets.

  • Apartment dog owners with long office hours drive daycare in South Korea.
  • Franchise openings in suburbs widen access in the United States.
  • Pet service start-ups in large Chinese cities add daycare capacity.
  • German owners face strict welfare rules and favour licensed centres.
  • Australian and New Zealand owners combine daycare with outdoor activity.
  • Home boarders and walkers compete with centres in the United Kingdom.
  • Small indoor dogs and senior pet care shape demand in Japan.

Full report country CAGRs cover: seven markets split by working-owner demand, four of them (South Korea, the United States, China, Germany) ahead of the 7.8% global CAGR and three (Australia and New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan) behind that rate, with the remaining standard countries listed under each region.

Country-wise Analysis

South Korea Pet Daycare Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

Young office workers in South Korean cities keep dogs in apartments and work long hours, so daytime care is a routine need. Centres are adding AI cameras and smart monitoring so owners can watch from the office. FMI projects South Korea at 8.2%, ahead of every other profiled country.

Key takeaway: Apartment dogs and long office hours put South Korea in front.

United States Pet Daycare Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

Franchise brands are spreading across American suburbs. A three-unit Camp Bow Wow agreement signed in August 2026 covers Weatherford, Burleson and Granbury, Texas.[2] Dogtopia said the network is approaching 300 units.[1] In FMI's country table, the United States holds an 8.1% CAGR, as dual-income owners move from friends and sitters to booked days.

Key takeaway: Suburban franchise growth carries the United States.

China Pet Daycare Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

Pet ownership is rising among young professionals in Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen, and pet service chains are adding daycare to grooming and boarding. Smart cameras and app booking are standard in new centres. More owners paying for daytime care give China an expected 8% CAGR.

Key takeaway: App-booked centres in large cities drive China.

Germany Pet Daycare Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

German pet welfare rules set standards for space, sleep and handling, and owners prefer licensed centres for that reason. Dog taxes and leash rules in cities also push owners toward supervised play areas. Germany is forecast near a 7.9% CAGR, close to the global rate.

Key takeaway: Welfare standards favour licensed centres in Germany.

Australia and New Zealand Pet Daycare Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

Owners in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland combine daycare with beach walks and outdoor exercise, and many centres run pick-up and drop-off vans. A 7.7% CAGR is in view for Australia and New Zealand, just under the global figure, as suburban centres fill weekday places.

Key takeaway: Outdoor programmes give Australian and New Zealand centres a distinct offer.

United Kingdom Pet Daycare Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

Dog day care businesses in England need a local authority licence under animal activity rules, and many owners use licensed home boarders and dog walkers. Dog-friendly offices also reduce daycare days for some workers. FMI places the United Kingdom on 7.6%, a little under the global CAGR.

Key takeaway: Home boarders and walkers slow centre growth in the United Kingdom.

Japan Pet Daycare Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

Japanese owners keep many small dogs and cats indoors, and senior pet care is a growing need as pets live longer. Operators in Tokyo and Osaka run compact centres in small spaces. Japan comes last on a 7.5% CAGR in FMI's outlook, as fewer owners leave pets for full days.

Key takeaway: Senior pet care is the growth niche in Japan.

Who are the notable companies in the pet daycare market?

Camp Bow Wow, Dogtopia, PetSmart, Rover, Fetch! Pet Care, Central Bark, Wag Hotels, Best Friends Pet Hotel, Paradise 4 Paws and Paw Commons Pet Resort are the profiled companies.

Pet Daycare Market Company Highlight
Pet Daycare Market Company Highlight

Daycare franchises, pet retail chains, resort operators and sitter platforms compete for the same weekday dog. Dogtopia called itself the largest pet services franchise in the world in August 2026, approaching 300 units.[1] Propelled Brands, owner of Camp Bow Wow, reported more than 225 units for the brand.[6] Central Bark reached 44 locations in Q1 2026.[4] PetSmart, Rover, Fetch! Pet Care, Wag Hotels, Best Friends Pet Hotel, Paradise 4 Paws and Paw Commons Pet Resort complete the field.

  • Daycare franchise networks: Dogtopia, Camp Bow Wow and Central Bark.
  • Pet retail and resort operators: PetSmart, Wag Hotels, Best Friends Pet Hotel, Paradise 4 Paws and Paw Commons Pet Resort.
  • Sitter and walker platforms: Rover and Fetch! Pet Care.

Competitive Benchmarking: Pet Daycare Market

Table 7: Competitive Benchmarking for the Pet Daycare Market (qualitative documentation ratings), 2026

Company Network Scale Membership and Retention Owner Visibility Tools Recency
Dogtopia High High High High
Camp Bow Wow High Medium Medium High
Central Bark Medium Medium Low High
PetSmart High Low Low Medium
Rover Medium Low Medium Low

Grades describe the depth of 2026 company releases on each topic and imply nothing about share of sales.

Key Developments in the Pet Daycare Market

  • On 28 August 2026, Dogtopia cited year-to-date same-store sales growth of nearly 7% and a 98% retention rate.[1]
  • On 25 August 2026, three new camps for Weatherford, Burleson and Granbury were signed under one Camp Bow Wow agreement.[2]
  • On 1 June 2026, PetSmart marked 40 years with nearly 1,700 stores and a grooming salon in every store.[7]
  • By 14 May 2026, Camp Bow Wow had lowered the initial investment for a new camp by more than USD 400,000.[6]
  • On 27 April 2026, a 90 Net Promoter Score for Q1 came through at Dogtopia.[5]
  • Mid-April 2026 brought Q1 figures from Central Bark showing systemwide sales 15% higher.[4]
  • July 2026 data from APPA counted 71 million dog-owning households in the United States for 2025.[3]
  • In September 2026, APPA counted 53 million US cat-owning households for 2025.[8]

Key Players in the Pet Daycare Market

Daycare Franchise Networks

  • Dogtopia
  • Camp Bow Wow
  • Central Bark

Pet Retail and Resort Operators

  • PetSmart
  • Wag Hotels
  • Best Friends Pet Hotel
  • Paradise 4 Paws
  • Paw Commons Pet Resort

Sitter and Walker Platforms

  • Rover
  • Fetch! Pet Care

Pet Daycare Market - Report Scope

Table 8: Report Scope for the Pet Daycare Market (coverage fields and definitions), 2026 to 2036

Coverage field Report scope
Market breakdown Service type; animal type; region
Quantitative units USD million
Market definition Supervised daytime care for pets outside the home, including group play, exercise, poolside sessions, grooming and veterinary checks, sold as day passes, packages and memberships. Overnight-only boarding is excluded.
Regions covered North America; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; East Asia; South Asia and Pacific; Middle East and Africa
Countries covered United States; Canada; Brazil; Mexico; Argentina; Chile; Germany; France; United Kingdom; Italy; Spain; Benelux; Nordics; Poland; Czech Republic; Romania; Hungary; China; Japan; South Korea; India; ASEAN; Australia and New Zealand; GCC Countries; South Africa; Türkiye; Israel
Key companies profiled Camp Bow Wow, Dogtopia, PetSmart, Rover, Fetch! Pet Care, Central Bark, Wag Hotels, Best Friends Pet Hotel, Paradise 4 Paws, Paw Commons Pet Resort
Forecast period 2026 to 2036

Pet Daycare Market - Research Methodology

Table 9: Research Methodology for the Pet Daycare Market (research methods and approach), 2026 edition

Method Approach
Data Sources Franchise operator releases, pet retailer announcements and pet industry association reports from May 2025 onward.
Desk Research Desk research covers memberships, franchise expansion, owner households, staffing and service add-ons.
Market Sizing and Forecasting Sizing starts from the 2026 base of USD 5,114.5 million and the 7.8% CAGR for 2026 to 2036.
Data Validation Unit, visit and household figures were matched to the release that first carried them.

Pet Daycare Market by Segments

Pet Daycare Market segmented by Service Type:

  • Group Play Sessions
  • Exercise
  • Poolside
  • Grooming
  • Veterinary
  • Others

Pet Daycare Market segmented by Animal Type:

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Others

Pet Daycare Market by Region

  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Mexico
    • Argentina
    • Chile
  • Western Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • United Kingdom
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Benelux
    • Nordics
  • Eastern Europe
    • Poland
    • Czech Republic
    • Romania
    • Hungary
  • East Asia
    • China
    • Japan
    • South Korea
  • South Asia and Pacific
    • India
    • ASEAN
    • Australia and New Zealand
  • Middle East and Africa
    • GCC Countries
    • South Africa
    • Türkiye
    • Israel

Research Sources and Bibliography

This bibliography is provided for reader reference. The full report contains the complete reference list and detailed citations.

This Report Answers

  • How big is the pet daycare market during 2026?
  • What market size is projected by 2036?
  • Which service type holds notable share?
  • Which animal type holds notable share?
  • Which countries have notable growth?
  • Which companies are notable in the market?

Frequently Asked Questions

How large is the pet daycare market expected in 2026?

Working dog owners are expected to take the pet daycare market to USD 5,114.5 million in 2026, FMI estimates, from USD 4,744.4 million in 2025. Sales of pet daycare are projected to reach USD 10,838.9 million by 2036.

What CAGR is projected for the pet daycare market through 2036?

Demand for pet daycare is projected to grow at a 7.8% CAGR between 2026 and 2036. Dual-income owners, membership plans and wellness add-ons carry that growth.

Which service type holds a notable market share in 2026?

Group play sessions are expected to lead with an estimated 34.6% share in 2026. Grooming follows at about 22.8%.

Which animal type holds a notable market share in 2026?

Dogs are likely to lead with about 78.4% share. Cats account for an estimated 15.3%.

Which country has a notable expansion outlook through 2036?

South Korea is first in FMI's country table at an 8.2% CAGR. The United States follows at 8.1%.

Who are the key companies in the pet daycare market?

Dogtopia, Camp Bow Wow and Central Bark lead the franchise networks, and PetSmart, Wag Hotels, Best Friends Pet Hotel, Paradise 4 Paws and Paw Commons Pet Resort run retail and resort sites. Rover and Fetch! Pet Care complete the profiled companies.

Preview the report firsthand - request a free sample

Get Sample

Get the brochure for pricing and purchase details.

Future Market Insights

Pet Daycare Market