Trying to decide between a pet sitter, boarding, or dog walker? Our decision tree picks the right service in 7 questions.
For real US pet sitting rates by service type, see our pet sitting cost guide.
Setting your own rates as a pet sitter? Our 6-step rate-setting framework covers regional base, experience multipliers, and insurance recovery math.
Drop-in visits vs overnight pet sitting — which does your pet actually need? See our comparison.
Setting up your own pet sitting business? Our pet sitting insurance guide compares 7 providers from $215/year.
Starting a pet sitting business? Our guide covers the 3 pillars Pet Sitters International doesn’t get into.
Comparing pet sitting marketplaces? Read our honest Rover review covering the 20-25% platform fee + insurance.
Comparing Care.com vs Rover for pet care? Our Care.com review covers the aggregator vs managed-marketplace difference.
Travel a lot? Trusted Housesitters exchange model might save you $200-$1,500/year. Honest review.
Drop-In Visits That Don’t Skip a Beat.
Vetted in-home pet sitters for cats, dogs, and small animals. Daily visits while you’re traveling or working long hours.
Background-checked sitters · $1M liability insured · Photo updates every visit · Same sitter every time
What’s included
Daily drop-in visits
20-, 30-, or 60-minute visits for feeding, fresh water, litter or potty break, playtime, and medication.
Cat sitting specialty
Calm, low-stress visits for cats who hate kennels. Includes litter scoop, brush, and lap time.
Plant + mail care add-on
Sitter brings in mail, waters plants, rotates lights. Same visit, no extra trip.
Real US pet sitting rates
| Service | Typical price | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 20-minute drop-in visit | $20–$28 | 20 min |
| 30-minute drop-in visit | $25–$35 | 30 min |
| 60-minute extended visit | $40–$55 | 60 min |
| Cat-only visit (single cat) | $20–$28 | 20 min |
| Multi-pet (2–3 pets, same visit) | +$5–$8 per add’l pet | — |
| Holiday surcharge | +25–50% | — |
National median for a 30-minute drop-in is around $28-$32. Rates trend higher in NYC, SF, LA, Boston, Seattle. We refresh quarterly.
How it works
Tell us about your pet
Number of pets, species, feeding schedule, medications, any quirks. We match a sitter with the right experience.
Meet your sitter
Free meet-and-greet 1-3 days before your first booked visit. Sitter learns your home, your pets, and your routine.
Daily visits + photo updates
Sitter visits per your schedule. You get a photo, feeding/litter confirmation, and a brief note after every visit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does pet sitting cost?<br />
Travel without worrying about your pet.
Tell us about your pet and dates — we’ll match a vetted sitter in 24 hours.