House Sitting Rates with Pets: How Much Does It Cost?

If you’re planning a trip away from home, you might be considering getting a house sitter to care for your pets while you’re gone. The next thing you might be wondering is: how much does house sitting with pets cost?

The cost of house sitting with pets depends on several factors, such as the type of pet, where you live, and how long you’ll be away.

According to ThumbTack.com, the average cost of a house sitter with pets is around

• $25 per 30-minute visit
• $75-85 for overnight stays

However, these rates can vary depending on your location. They cite the national average, but if you type in some searches in their interface as I did, you can get some far higher and far lower rates.

Understanding House Sitting Rates With Pets

When it comes to house sitting rates involving pets, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Location

One of the main factors that can affect house sitting rates is location.

According to Rover.com, house sitting rates in big cities like New York City and Los Angeles can range from $45 to $100 per night, while in smaller cities like Columbus, Ohio, rates range from $35 to $50 per day. In far more rural areas, you may be able to find a house sitter for as little as $20 per night, but that is truly an exception.

Duration

Another big factor in house sitting rates is how long the sitter needs to be there. For example, a house sitter may charge $50 per day for a one-week house sitting, but only $30 per day for a one-month house sitting.

It is also common for sitters to charge $20-30 per hour, but only $75 for overnight. 

After all, getting there and back is a big cost in time and gas. And like with any kind of work, longer hours are cheaper than just one hour.

Number Of Pets

The number of pets can also affect the house sitting rates. If you have more than one dog or cat for example, the amount of work involved in feeding, playing, walking multiplies and so too does the cost. Dogs of course are far more work than rabbits or cars, so the type of pet is also an issue. Don’t be surprised if that question comes up too.

Types Of Tasks

Finally, the specific tasks you would like done during the house sit can also affect the rates. For example, if you want the house sitter to do other tasks like

• watering plants
• taking out the trash
• collecting mail

they may well charge you a little extra for the time and convenience.

Setting Your Rates As A House Sitter

When it comes to setting your house sitting rates, especially where pets are involved, there are a few other factors to consider.

Experience Level

Your experience is an important factor to consider when setting your rates. If you’re new to house sitting, you may want to start with a lower rate to attract clients and build your reputation. As you gain more experience and positive reviews, you can gradually increase your rates.

On the other hand, if you have years of experience and a proven track record of providing high-quality pet care, you may be able to charge a higher rate for your services. 

Services Offered

The services you offer can also impact your house sitting rates. For example, if you’re willing to provide additional services like dog walking or giving medication to animals, you may be able to charge a higher rate than someone who only offers basic pet care.

Create a list of the services you can offer and the rates for each. This kind of thing can help you communicate your rates clearly to potential clients and ensure that you’re paid fairly for the extra services you provide.

Pet Needs

The needs of the pets you’ll be caring for can also impact your house sitting rates. For example, if you’ll be caring for an older dog with walking issues or a cat with a special diet, you may need to factor in additional time and effort when setting your rates. We have had both cases and it pays to know up front what is coming so you can estimate how much extra time it will take to give the right care.

Ask clients for a detailed list of their pets’ needs before taking the job so you can customize your care and fees accordingly.