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By Michael Gonzales · Updated October 27, 2026
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Pet sitters charge about $22 per drop-in visit and $55 to $58 a night to stay in your home, based on Rover's national averages for dog and cat sitting. Boarding at the sitter's house averages about $45 to $49 a night. Big cities cost more, and holidays, extra pets and medications add fees.
Ready to book? Browse pet sitters and dog walkers on iPetzo and message two or three for a quote. Each sitter sets their own rate, and holiday dates fill early.
How much do pet sitters charge per visit and per night?
Rover's averages come from rates set by sitters on its platform. It updated both guides in September 2026, using data as of September 2025.
| Service | Dogs (Rover) | Cats (Rover) | Per week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-in visit (30 minutes) | $21.80 per visit | $22 per visit | $152.60 – $154 (one visit a day) |
| House sitting (sitter stays overnight in your home) | $55.45 per night | $58.33 per night | $388.15 – $408.31 |
| Boarding in the sitter's home | $49.01 per night | $44.97 per night | $314.79 – $343.07 |
Sources: Rover, dog sitting rates (updated September 21, 2026) and Rover, cat sitting rates (updated September 23, 2026).
Rover says most professional sitters charge a flat rate per visit or per night, not by the hour. Some charge hourly for short jobs like drop-ins or walks. For walks alone, see our dog walking rates guide.
What's the difference between a hobby sitter and a pro?
Often close to double. HomeGuide's 2026 guide splits dog sitting rates by experience:
| Service | Hobby sitter | Professional sitter |
|---|---|---|
| Per visit | $10 – $20 | $25 – $35 |
| Per day (3 – 4 visits) | $30 – $50 | $75 – $100 |
| Overnight (10 – 12 hours) | $50 – $95 | $100 – $150+ |
| Weekend | $100 – $200 | $150 – $250 |
| Week | $200 – $325 | $250 – $400 |
Source: HomeGuide, how much to charge for dog sitting (January 14, 2026).
A pro usually brings insurance, bonding, references and a backup sitter. A hobby sitter, like a neighbor or college student, costs less but may not have any of those. Both can work well for an easy pet.
How much do pet sitters charge by the hour?
Care.com puts the national average starting rate at $16.71 an hour, based on rates sitters report on its site, as of October 2026. Hourly pay is most common for longer daytime care. For visits and overnights, expect a flat rate instead.
Is $50 a night fair for an overnight pet sitter?
For a casual sitter, yes. For an experienced pro in a big city, it's low. Rover's national averages are $55.45 a night for dog house sitting and $58.33 for cats. HomeGuide puts hobby sitters at $50 to $95 for an overnight and pros at $100 to $150 or more.
So $50 a night sits at the low end of fair. Expect more for multiple pets, medications or a sitter who stays most of the day.
What do pet sitters charge in my city?
Rover's city averages for dog sitting, from its September 2026 update:
| City | Drop-in visit (30 min) | House sitting (per night) | Boarding at sitter's home |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $29.76 | $80.72 | $73.60 |
| Los Angeles | $26.49 | $73.94 | $62.58 |
| Seattle | $26.15 | $69.28 | $64.00 |
| New York | $25.36 | $65.96 | $63.58 |
| Boston | $23.14 | $64.26 | $61.70 |
| Washington, DC | $22.57 | $58.41 | $53.64 |
| Chicago | $22.46 | $57.33 | $51.83 |
| Las Vegas | $22.04 | $52.16 | $41.39 |
| Phoenix | $21.84 | $52.17 | $42.92 |
| Houston | $21.10 | $50.72 | $41.51 |
| Indianapolis | $19.61 | $46.16 | $40.04 |
| San Antonio | $19.61 | $44.13 | $35.92 |
Source: Rover's dog sitting city table (updated September 21, 2026; data as of September 2025). Linked cities go to iPetzo's local pet care guides (San Francisco and Los Angeles go to our California page). You can also browse sitters by state: Florida, Texas, Arizona, Washington, Colorado, Indiana and Nevada.
Cat sitting is close to the dog rate in most cities, but not all. Rover lists New York cat sitting at $24.98 a visit and $68.05 a night, while San Francisco cat house sitting is $63.97, well below the dog rate there.
Ready to compare real sitters? Browse pet sitters and dog walkers near you, see what they offer, and contact the ones you like.
What extra fees do pet sitters charge?
Rover says sitters set their own add-on rates. Common ones on its platform are holiday, additional pet, puppy, extended care, extended stay, and pick-up and drop-off. HomeGuide gives typical amounts:
- Extra pet: $5 to $7 more per visit, or about $10 more per day.
- Medication: $5 to $10 per dose, or $10 to $15 for injections.
- Puppies: $5 to $10 more per visit.
- Holidays: Rover says a holiday rate applies to the whole booking if any date overlaps a holiday.
- Last-minute bookings: Rover says most cat owners book drop-ins at least 10 days ahead, and booking closer to your trip can mean a last-minute fee.
Ask what the base rate includes before you book. Feeding, litter, mail and plants may be covered, or may cost extra.
How much should you pay a friend to watch your pet for a week?
About $150 to $400, depending on the job. Rover's weekly averages are about $153 for one drop-in a day and about $388 for a sitter who stays overnight with a dog. HomeGuide puts a hobby sitter's week at $200 to $325.
A friend may refuse money. Agree on a number up front anyway, along with the feeding schedule and what to do in an emergency.
How much should you tip a pet sitter?
Tipping is optional, especially for a sitter who sets their own rates. If you tip, Rover suggests 10% to 20% of the total for a short stay, or a flat $20 to $100 for a longer or more complex one.
Is a pet sitter cheaper than boarding?
For one pet, an in-home sitter usually costs a bit more per night than boarding at a sitter's house: $55.45 vs. $49.01 for dogs on Rover. Your pet stays home, though, and a second pet often costs less to add. Browse boarding and kennels or dog daycare to compare. Our dog boarding cost guide has kennel rates.
How do you choose a pet sitter?
Humane World for Animals and Pet Sitters International suggest the same basics:
- Ask how long they've been sitting and whether they've cared for your type of pet.
- Ask whether they're bonded and insured, and for copies.
- Ask for references, and consider a background check.
- Ask about their backup plan if they get sick or can't make a visit.
- Ask whether they can give medications, and about pet first aid or other training.
- Set up a meet-and-greet with your pet before you book.
- Get a written service agreement, and ask for notes or photos after each visit.
Book early for the holidays. In a past membership survey, Pet Sitters International found more than 60% of its members were fully booked three weeks before a holiday.
Frequently asked questions
How much do pet sitters charge per day? HomeGuide puts a day of dog sitting with three to four visits at $30 to $50 for a hobby sitter and $75 to $100 for a pro. Rover's average drop-in visit is $21.80.
How much is a pet sitter per night? Rover's averages are $55.45 a night for dog house sitting and $58.33 for cats. San Francisco is highest in Rover's table at $80.72 a night.
How much does a cat sitter cost? About $22 per drop-in visit and $58.33 a night for house sitting, per Rover's September 2026 update.
Do pet sitters charge by the hour? Usually not. Rover says most charge flat rates per visit or per night. Care.com puts the national average starting rate at $16.71 an hour for sitters who do charge hourly.
Is $50 a night good for dog sitting? It's at the low end. Rover's average for dog house sitting is $55.45, and HomeGuide's hobby sitter range for an overnight is $50 to $95.
How far ahead should I book a pet sitter? At least 10 days for drop-ins, per Rover, and longer for overnights. For holidays, book three weeks or more ahead; in a past Pet Sitters International survey, most members were full by then.
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Sources
Rover: Dog sitting rates (updated Sep 21, 2026) · Rover: Cat sitting rates (updated Sep 23, 2026) · Rover Help Center: How much does it cost to book a sitter or dog walker? · HomeGuide: How much to charge for dog sitting (Jan 14, 2026) · Care.com: Pet sitter cost (Oct 2026) · Humane World for Animals: How to choose and prepare a pet sitter · Pet Sitters International: Holiday pet care tips. Checked October 23, 2026.