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.
| National Average Cost | $15 per hour |
| Minimum Cost | $10 per hour |
| Maximum Cost | $60 per hour |
| Average Range | $10to$25 per hour |
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
- Pet Sitting Rates
- How Much Do Pet Sitters Charge?
- Rates Calculator
- Per Day
- Per Night
- Per Week
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.
| Length of sitting | Dog | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | $15 | $15 |
| Per Day | $20 – $30 | $10 – $20 |
| Per Night | $75 | $40 |
| Per Week | $250 – $375 | $250 – $375 |
Will you be gone over a holiday such as Memorial Day? Add $5 per visit. Is your pet a puppy? They take a little more work, so add $5 to the base rate.
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.
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FAQs
What do most pet sitters charge per day? ›
Pet sitters charge $25 to $30 a day on average, depending on the services involved. The average cost of a 30-minute visit is $25, while overnight pet-sitting costs $75 to $85.
How much does it cost to house sit in Georgia? ›As of Jan 28, 2023, the average annual pay for a House Sitter in Georgia is $62,805 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $30.20 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,207/week or $5,233/month.
How much does a cat sitter cost? ›How much does a cat sitter make? A 30-minute cat sitting service usually ranges from about $18 to $28 per event. The average national cost of a 30-minute cat sitting service is $23.10.
How much do most dog sitters charge? ›According to research completed by Thumbtack, the average dog sitter rate in the US is around $20 to $40 a day.
How much do dog sitters make in Georgia? ›As of Jan 27, 2023, the average annual pay for a Dog Sitter in Georgia is $28,645 a year.
How much should I pay my friend to watch my dog? ›If you decide to pay your friends to pet sit, a fair rate of pay is 40-50% of what you would pay a professional service. For example, a quick 15-minute drop-in visit would equal about $9 – $14 per visit.
Do people usually get paid to house sit? ›As a starting point to keep in mind, typical house sitting rates are in the $25-30/day range, more (around $50) for overnight stays. But this is just a ballpark. We suggest taking the time to calculate a number based on your own house sitting expectations and needs.
Do you pay someone to house sit? ›House sitting is usually an unpaid exchange of services, whereby the house sitter stays in the owners' home and looks after the property, pets and garden in exchange for free, temporary accommodation. There are some professional house sitters who offer their house sitting service for a fee.
How much does it cost to build a 2000 sq ft house in Georgia? ›The average cost for a 2,000 square foot house in Georgia is $350,000 to buy and $400,000 to build from the ground up, According to Fixr.
Does a cat sitter need to stay overnight? ›Many cat sitters will also stay overnight at your house if required. Overnight stays can be beneficial for older, needier, anxious, and sick cats who need extra time and attention. During a house-sitting service, your cat sitter can provide other helpful services including watering the plants and checking the mail.
Can a cat sitter come once a day? ›
Once a day
Many cat experts agree that giving your cat half an hour of undivided attention will make for a happy, well adjusted kitty. Having your pet sitter come once a day for half an hour is usually enough time to have them clean up and play with your cat.
A daily visit helps the shy cat recognize a new routine, in which the cat sitter comes in every day and provides food. This routine will help your cat build confidence and trust in their cat sitter, that will enable them to come out and interact with their sitter appropriately.
Do pet sitters spend the night? ›Some pet-sitting services offer standard overnight hours: one shift that is 9–10 hours long, and a longer shift that is 12 hours long, usually from 7pm to 7am. Other services will customize it to satisfy your pet's individual needs. In every case, you will need at least one daytime visit.
Can you make a lot of money pet sitting? ›How much can you earn from pet sitting? This can vary depending on where you live, the overall level of demand, your availability and your experience. I began charging $15 per visit, and have recently raised my rates for most of my clients to $20 per visit.
Is there a high demand for dog sitters? ›Dog-sitting website Rover.com told FEMAIL they had seen a 246% global rise in bookings since the beginning of the pandemic. Between 2021 and 2022 alone the service saw an 81% increase in new and repeat bookings. In particular, the rise has most commonly stemmed from metropolitan areas.
What to give someone who watches your dog? ›- Hand and foot warmers. ...
- Snacks that transport easily in the car. ...
- Coffee, tea or other drinks. ...
- Nice refillable water bottles or travel coffee mugs for when she is on the go.
- This little cooler has a car adapter and allows sitters to keep their food cool on long days.
House Sitters in America make an average salary of $51,771 per year or $25 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $108,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $24,000 per year.
Is house sitting a good side hustle? ›Housesitting can be a good idea for people needing a side gig and clients needing someone to care for their pets and home while they are away. Housesitting can be a win-win that allows one party to earn some extra cash while the other party escapes town with the peace of mind that their home and pets are safe.
How much does a house sitter get paid a month? ›Salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Philippines. An entry level house sitter (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of ₱170,622. On the other end, a senior level house sitter (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of ₱259,622.
Where does a house sitter sleep? ›Where will the housesitter sleep? That depends on you. It is common for folks to let the house sitter crash in their room while they are gone. As such, people usually allow the house sitter to stay in their bed.
Do you leave food for house sitters? ›
“Generally a house sitter will take care of their own meals during their stay,” says Gottsman. “However, food may be left for the sitter that they are welcome to eat.”
What are the duties of a house sitter? ›- Occupies the house and monitors surveillance.
- Turns lights on and off from time to time.
- Answers the telephone, takes notes, and relays important messages.
- Vacuums and sweeps the floor.
- Collects the mail.
- Waters the plants.
The price per square foot to build a house in Georgia varies from $100 to $300, so a 2,500-square-foot house could cost from $250,000 to $750,000.
How much does it cost to build a 2 000 sq ft house in Florida? ›The cost to build a house in Florida ranges from $60 to $150 per square foot depending on whether you are building a house that meets minimum standards, an average home, or a luxury home.
Is it cheaper to build or buy a house in Georgia? ›If you consider the initial cost of building a house in Georgia, it is around $70,000 less than buying one. You can further reduce the cost if you take some steps to lower the construction costs and do not include any custom finish or design.
How many times a day should a pet sitter come? ›And so I tell prospective clients just that: Pet Sitters need to visit kitties at least once every 24 hours, and pups at the very least twice per day.
How much time should a cat sitter spend with a cat? ›40-minute Visits
40 to 50 minute visits give your cats a chance to snuggle with your sitter totally de-stress. Cats love the cadence of these visits because they usually go: Mealtime – Playtime – Snuggles!!! Talk about perfect for cats! 40-50 minute visits are perfect for shy but friendly cats.
Pet sitters really don't make much money considering the time and effort they put into pet care. Many clients tip their sitters, but it isn't required but much appreciated. As a guide, I would tip between 10-20% or any amount you feel comfortable with.
Do cat sitters clean litter box? ›Your sitter will take care of breakfast, cleaning the litter box, giving your car fresh water and then will settle in for whatever type of attention your cat prefers.
Can you make a living as a cat sitter? ›With the flexibility to work around your daily schedule, cat sitting offers an excellent opportunity to earn extra income. So even if you do have a full-time job, you can still cuddle kitties and earn some extra money on the side.
Should you pay a friend to cat sit? ›
While you don't need to pay a friend or family member as much as you would someone hired from the outside, offering fair compensation is the right thing to do. After all, showing mutual respect is a huge part of maintaining long-lasting relationships, so do your part to treat your loved ones well.
Can I leave my cat alone for a week with a cat sitter? ›Provide Your Cat with Attention without Returning Home
If you have a cat sitter supervising them for an hour or two per day, you can safely leave them for up to a week. Any longer than that and your kitty will surely miss your constant presence at home!
As a cat sitter, your job involves staying with or checking on the cat while its owner is away, whether just for the day or overnight. Typical duties include feeding, changing water, cleaning litter boxes, administering medication, and providing company.
How long does a cat sitter stay? ›A cat sitting visit at home lasts on average between 20 - 30 minutes. This allows the cat sitter enough time to provide fresh food and water, clean up, scoop the cat litter and provide plenty of playtime and cuddles (if kitty is home and not out on an adventure).
What should I charge for Rover? ›$20-25, considering you offer 24 hours of care for approx. $35. For example, to charge $25, book it as Boarding with Cost Adjustment minus -10. I wouldn't look at it as an hourly rate.
Are pet sitters worth it? ›The biggest reason to pay for a professional pet sitter is that they will provide you with more peace of mind. You can rest easy and enjoy your trip because you know they have the experience, training, and responsibility to make sure your pet gets the absolute best care while you're away.
Does Rover charge by night or day? ›Rover's stated policy for both boarding and housesitting is that each nightly charge is for "up to" 24 hours. The clock starts running when you drop off your dog.
How much does Rover charge clients? ›It's free to sign up for a Rover account as a pet parent. If you want to offer pet care services on Rover, there is a $35 profile review fee. Once you begin earning money by providing sitting or walking services to Rover pet parents, you'll take home 80% of your earnings from each booking.
Do sitters rate you on Rover? ›Pet Sitters do not "rate owners" but we are asked at the end of every stay to Rate the pets. Our ratings that we enter are only visible to the Rover staff, it is not shared with other sitters. As far as Rating an owner, no. We are never asked to rate the owners or about our experience with the owner.
Is there a high demand for pet sitters? ›The demand for pet sitting is rising due to an increase in pet ownership, leisure travelers around the world, and rising spending on animal welfare. Consequently, the range of time and money-saving pet services for pet owners has increased due to rising spending on animals and their welfare.