What’s the going rate for house sitting with a pet?
If you’re heading out of town for a few days or more, you may be looking for someone to care for your pet, as well as your house. If this is the case (and especially if you’re asking the sitter to stay over), the rate should be higher than if they were just dropping in for walks or feedings.
“We’ve always had our babysitter stay at our home with our dog when we’ve gone out of town,” says Cockapoo owner Mary Ragazzo Reilly of Cranford, New Jersey. “Aside from getting our mail, the care was solely focused on walking and feeding the dog. We negotiated a daily rate beforehand, taking kennel costs and her normal babysitting rate into account. We both agreed on $30 a day.”
Jen McConnell, a Doberman owner in Aberdeen, New Jersey, paid her pet sitter a higher rate, as both her home and dog required more care. “Our pet sitter didn’t stay over, but she did come by more than once a day to feed and walk the dog, as well as take care of packages, plants, our garbage and recycling, as well as our pool,” she says. “We paid her $50 a day.”
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 sitters 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 |
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.
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:
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.)
How To Find A Reliable Dog Sitter
If you want a certified professional dog sitter, you can usually find a service in your area by doing a local search online. Your veterinarian’s office is also a good source to ask. You also can find pet sitters in your area through online pet sitting platforms such as Rover or Wag!. But keep in mind these types of platforms have pet sitters with extremely varying experience and skills, so you’ll need to choose wisely if that’s the route you want to go.
How Much to Charge for Dog Walking & Pet Sitting in 2023!
Most of us pup owners need a reliable dog sitter from time to time. We hate to leave our furry friends in others’ care, but it’s usually inevitable. Whether you need a pet sitter regularly while you’re at work, on vacation, or for occasional needs, it can be tricky to figure out how to fit the cost into your budget for the best pup caregiver you can find.
We’ll share with you the average rates you can expect to pay for professional dog-sitting services and less-expensive pet-sitting options. We can also help you choose the best option for your specific needs. For example, if you’re going on vacation, dog sitters are typically more expensive than boarding. However, if you have two or more pets, going with a pet sitter is usually a more cost-efficient option. Table Of Contents