How Much Does A Pet Sitter Cost?

Pet Sitting Rates

Pet sitters charge an average of $25 per 30-minute visit, $20 to $30 per day, $45 to $75 per night, or $250 to $375 per week. Rates depend on the services requested, if you need 24-hour pet care or service on holidays, and if you have additional pets.

If you want your pet to experience in-home sitting while you're away, hiring a professional pet sitter is the way to go. Many times pets left in kennels are lonely and unhappy until their owners return home. Some pets can overnight or have a multiple-day stay at the pet sitter’s home (which can be cheaper) rather than have the pet sitter stay in the pet’s home.

Table of Contents

1. Pet Sitting Rates
2. How Much Do Pet Sitters Charge?
• Rates Calculator
• Per Day
• Per Night
• Per Week
3. What Does a Pet Sitter Do?
4. House Sitting Rates with Pets
5. Pet Sitting Price Factors
6. How to Choose a Pet Sitter
7. How Much Do You Tip A Pet Sitter?
8. Pet Sitters Near Me

How Much Do Pet Sitters Charge?

Pet sitting services generally cost $25 per 30-minute visit which includes a potty break, feeding, and fresh water. Prices depending on the sitter's service area relative to the pet owner, and whether the pet needs to be picked up and dropped off. If you have more than one pet, add $10 per additional dog.

Pet Sitting Rates Per Day

Pet sitting rates are about $20 per day on average. Of course, there are always variables that affect that price such as if you need a pet taxi to pick up and drop off your animal. The price applies to one dog, cat, or bird and the price will go up by $10 for each additional pet.

Overnight Pet Sitting Rates

If you want your pet sitter to provide overnight care in your home, it will cost from $40 to $75 per night. There are a lot of benefits to this arrangement, such as:

• You keep your home occupied.
• Your pets are kept company throughout the night.
• You have someone on hand in case of an emergency, such as a pet who gets sick.

Pet Sitting Rates Per Week

For a five-day week, you can expect to pay $250–$375 for pet sitting a pet with no special needs, which includes house sitting if the pet sitting includes overnight stays. (Additional pets would cost more.)

What Does a Pet Sitter Do?

A pet sitter is your pet’s substitute caregiver. When you have to be away, and you want your pets to be taken care of in a loving manner, perhaps even in their own home, you will hire a pet sitter. Instead of staying with your pet full time, the pet sitter may drop in a few times a day to feed, water, and let the pet outside to do its business.

The most common pet sitting services are:

• Provide company for your pet(s), even taking them outside to play.
• Feed and give the pet fresh water.
• Take the dog for a walk outside for exercise.
• Clean litter boxes and clean up any other pet mess that may occur.
• Depending on their qualifications, they can administer medications.
• Take your pet to their vet appointments.
• Pet sitters are often willing to bring in mail, put out the trash bins, and water plants.

House Sitting Rates with Pets

A house sitter who also takes care of your pets costs from $30 to $65 a day. Sometimes it might be more economical for you to hire a pet sitter as a combination pet sitter/house sitter. They would stay at your home with your pet every day and night until you return.

With a house sitter, they can check the mail, and water the grass and the houseplants. They will be a visible presence in your home, which may help prevent a break-in, and they might do a little light housework, ensuring you come home to a clean house.

• Dog Sitting – A dog sitter who stays in your home will cost $30–$65 a day.
• Cat Sitting – A cat sitter who stays in your home will cost $30–$65 a day.
• Bird Sitting – Birds are generally boarded, rather than have a person spend the night in their home. Depending on the size of your bird, the cost for boarding can range from $12–$18 per day.

Pet Sitting Price Factors

Many things affect the price you’ll pay for pet sitting such as if you are located in California or Texas. The base price can easily double if you have several pets, or if they are sick or elderly. It may also cost more if they are very young and still learning where to use the bathroom.

Type of Pet

Smaller pets who can amuse themselves and don’t need to be walked can be cheaper to pet sit than an active dog who requires 2–3 walks a day. Puppies can cost an additional $5 per visit.

In-Home/Location

Your zip code will have a lot to do with the cost of pet sitting, no matter what kind of pet you have or how many of them there are. Urban areas usually cost more than rural areas. For example, dog sitting rates in Charlotte, North Carolina, are about $15 per hour, while dog sitting rates in NYC, New York, are approx. $21 per hour.

24-Hour Care

Some pet sitters can house sit, pet sit, and still go to their jobs every day, so know in advance how present you want your pet sitter to be. They can remain on-site mostly 24/7, leaving your pet alone for no more than a few hours. Be prepared to pay more for this.

Medical Care

Pet sitters can often administer medication—both oral and injection –which costs about $5–$15, depending on the type of medication and how it’s administered. An injection will cost more than a pill. If your pet needs hourly medical attention, it can cost you about $200/day for that 24/7 level of care.

Do you want your pet to be bathed or groomed? Add $75.

Additional Pets

You can pay from $7–$10 per additional pet, in addition to the base rate of $40–$75 per night. If all your pets are dogs, for instance, you might get a lower price than if you have two dogs, a cat, and three birds.

Holidays

Expect to pay extra on holidays, as pet sitters are giving up their holiday tradition to care for your pet. Most pet sitters charge an additional $5 on holidays.

How to Choose a Pet Sitter

• Be sure the pet sitter is a professional. Ask if they belong to professional organizations such as NAPPS (National Association of Professional Pet Sitters), Professional United Pet Sitters (P.U.P.S.) or Association of Pet Sitting Excellence.
• Choose one that has a business license and is insured and bonded.
• Check the references you receive from the pet sitter or from your friends.
• Ask if they are trained in pet CPR and first aid.
• Arrange a meet and greet between your pet and the prospective pet sitter. They should get along. If your pet has to be coaxed to warm up to the pet sitter, choose someone else.
• They should present professional items such as contracts, payment arrangements, cancellation policies, and their plan during bad weather for taking your dog outside.
• If they are also acting as a house sitter, what are they willing to do around your house? Make sure everything is spelled out, so you both have the same understanding.
• Be sure you feel good about your choice. If you have any hesitation at all, choose someone else. This person is going to be in your home and taking care of your fur baby. You need to have confidence in them.

How Much Do You Tip A Pet Sitter?

The proper tip is about 15%–20% of the bill, or about $15 per night. The correct amount depends on how long they stayed in your home, and if they went above and beyond what they agreed to do.

If they did everything they agreed to do, tip on the lower end just as an act of appreciation. If they cleaned your kitchen and mowed your lawn, you might give them more. If your pet had an emergency and they rushed them to the emergency vet and stayed all night at the vet, you’d probably better consider the higher end of the spectrum and keep their number to use them again.

Get free estimates from trusted pet sitters on HomeGuide and good luck on your search!

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