How Much Does a Pet Sitter Cost per Day?
Pet sitters typically charge per visit or per night. Rover's September 2025 national averages were $55.45 per day for house sitting in your home (usually including overnight), $49.01 per day for boarding in the sitter's home, and $21.80 per drop-in visit. For cats, Catster puts in-home sitting at about $15 to $40 a day depending on visits.
Pet sitter prices depend mostly on the type of service: short drop-in visits, a sitter staying in your home, or your pet staying at the sitter's home.
Pet sitter rates
| Service | Per day | Per week | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-in visit | $21.80 per visit | $152.60 | $654 |
| House sitting (in your home) | $55.45 | $388.15 | $1,663.50 |
| Boarding in sitter's home | $49.01 | $343.07 | $1,470.30 |
Source: Rover's national averages, accurate as of September 2025. Weekly and monthly totals assume one visit or one night per day.
For cats, Catster gives about $15 to $40 per day for an in-home cat sitter, with extra visits or overnight stays costing more. Chewy, citing Care.com, puts hourly rates for pet sitters at about $12 to $17.
What affects pet sitter prices
- Visit length and number of visits per day (30-minute vs. 60-minute drop-ins; one vs. two visits)
- Overnight stays vs. drop-ins
- Number and type of pets (each extra dog usually adds to the rate)
- Puppies, seniors and special needs (medication, injections)
- Holidays and last-minute bookings
- Location: higher in expensive cities; driving to remote homes can add cost
- Experience and certifications
Rover notes most professional sitters charge flat rates per visit or per night, and since sitters are generally self-employed, they set their own prices.
How many visits will you need?
- Cats: experts quoted by Inverse recommend at least one visit a day, ideally two. See how often a sitter should visit a cat.
- Dogs: adult dogs generally shouldn't go more than 6 to 8 hours between bathroom breaks, so dogs usually need several visits a day or an overnight sitter. See how often a sitter should visit a dog.
Ways to save
- Book early for holidays.
- Combine pets with one sitter.
- Use two daily visits instead of overnight care for independent adult pets, if their needs allow.
- Ask about weekly or long-stay rates.
Find pet sitters near you.
Sources
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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.