Do Pet Sitters Stay Overnight?
Yes, many pet sitters offer overnight stays, usually called house sitting: the sitter sleeps at your home and cares for your pets. Rover's national average for house sitting was $55.45 per day in 2025. Alternatively, in-home boarding means your dog stays overnight at the sitter's house, which averaged $49.01 per day. Drop-in visits don't include overnight care.
"Overnight" pet care comes in a few forms, and the names can be confusing. Here's how they compare.
Overnight pet care options
| Option | Where your pet sleeps | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| House sitting | Your home, with the sitter staying over | $55.45 per day (Rover, 2025) |
| In-home boarding | The sitter's home | $49.01 per day (Rover, 2025) |
| Boarding facility | Kennel or pet resort | $46.36 per night basic rate for small dogs (Goose, 2026) |
| Drop-in visits | Your home, alone overnight | $21.80 per visit (Rover, 2025) |
What overnight house sitting usually includes
- The sitter sleeps at your home and is there evenings and mornings
- Feeding, walks, potty breaks and medication
- Company for your pets
- Often light house duties: bringing in mail, watering plants, rotating lights
Sitters may leave for part of the day (for work or errands), so ask how many hours your pet will be alone and whether midday visits are included. Overnight sitters may limit how long they're away; get it in writing.
Why choose an overnight sitter?
Veterinarian Ken Tudor, writing for PetMD, considers a live-in sitter the best option for pets: it keeps them in familiar surroundings, provides constant companionship, makes it more likely that a health problem is noticed early, and helps deter burglary by keeping the home occupied.
Overnight care is especially worth it for:
- Dogs that need a bathroom break every few hours (most dogs)
- Anxious or senior pets
- Pets on medication
- Multi-pet homes
Is overnight sitting a good fit for cats?
Many cats do fine with one or two daily visits, but kittens, seniors, cats on medication and very social cats can benefit from a sitter staying over.
Tips for booking an overnight sitter
- Book early for holidays.
- Agree on hours away, guests (usually none) and house rules in a written contract.
- Do a meet-and-greet first.
- Leave a care sheet, vet contact and emergency plan. See preparing for a pet sitter.
Find pet sitters near you.
Sources
Find pet sitters & dog walkers near you
Need someone to walk your dog, feed your cat or stay with your pets at home? Compare local pet sitters and dog walkers by Google rating, reviews and opening hours below.
Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers by state
Tap your state to see listings by city.
This article is general information for pet owners, not veterinary, legal or financial advice. Prices vary by city and clinic; always ask your veterinarian or provider about your own pet.
Related questions
- How Much Does a Pet Sitter Cost per Day?
- Dog Boarding vs Pet Sitter: Which Is Better?
- How Often Should a Pet Sitter Visit a Dog?
- Is It Safe to Hire a Pet Sitter?
- How to Prepare for a Pet Sitter: Checklist
- Do I Need a Dog Walker?
- Do You Pay a Pet Sitter Before or After?
- How Long Should You Walk Your Dog Each Day?