When you are on holiday, away for the weekend, or have to spend the whole day at work, you want to ensure your canine companion is well looked after. For many owners, this means hiring someone trustworthy to care for their beloved pet at home rather than putting it in a kennel. Hiring a professional pet sitter can often be less expensive than boarding a dog at a kennel. It also means your pet can stay in familiar surroundings.
If pet sitting is your dream job or you want to hire a dog sitter, it's a good idea to find out pet sitting rates so you know what to expect.Â
What are the benefits of using a dog sitter?
Dogs can often feel unsettled in new environments and usually feel more comfortable in their own home. Even if you're not there, using a pet sitter means your canine companion doesn't have to cope with the disruption of staying elsewhere. Compared to boarding, pet sitters typically offer more personalised care that involves activities the sitter knows the dog will like. They will take the time to understand a dog's likes, dislikes and unique personality traits to create a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Having an experienced, professional pet sitter come to your home to feed your dog, walk and play with them will give you peace of mind that your dog is safe and has companionship while you're away. They can also help with any other pets you have, such as feeding your cat. When you return, your sitter can give you a detailed report on your dog (and cat if they looked after them, too). This report could typically include an update on your dog's behaviour, eating habits, and any notable incidents, however minute, that happened during your absence.
An added benefit is that professional sitters often have liability insurance, which protects both the sitter and the owner in case of accidents, injuries, or property damage that may occur during dog sitting.
How much should I pay for pet sitting?
Pet sitting rates are largely determined by whether you have the pet sitter visit your home daily or stay over for the duration of your trip. Remember, pet-sitting rates vary depending on the service you ask for. So, the more you ask of your pet sitter, the higher the rates will be.Â
Pet sitting in the UK costs approximately £10 to £15 per hour. Of course, this rate varies depending on how many dogs you have and the level of care they need.
Dog sitting prices: How much is dog sitting?
It's common for dog sitters to offer a range of services that enable them to provide personalised care for the dog and help the owners while they're away. However, the more tasks you ask for, the higher the cost. Here are some examples of tasks sitters are often asked to perform:
- Pop into the home to check on the well-being of the dog; they have enough food and water and let it go to the toilet
- Walk the dog
- Keep the dog company for a few hours
- Stay with the dog overnightÂ
- Send the owner a regular report on the dog's well-being
- Stay with the dog for however long the owner is away
- Look after the home
- Care for other pets, such as a cat
The price will vary depending on the service you require from a dog sitter. On average, a dog sitter earns £10 per hour. Doggy daycare in a pet sitter's home is often between £30 for half a day and £40-50 for a full day. If they come to the owner's home for 24 hours, it will cost around £60. Generally, pet sitting may cost less per day compared to boarding.
When it comes to short visits, such as dog walking or popping by to make sure the dog is fed and entertained, the hourly price range varies between £10 and £25 (again, depending on the number of dogs and what the pet sitter is required to do).
Some sitters offer combined services for dogs and cats, accommodating various needs. This could impact pricing structures, ensuring fair costs for pet care services tailored to individual needs.
Pet sitting daily rate: How much do pet sitters make in the UK?
The average salary of a pet sitter in the UK is £24,218 per year. However, this can vary depending on where you live, the number of dogs and the types of pet-sitting services provided. For example, do you want them to visit your dog every day and for how long?
Here are some estimated prices for dog sitting in the UK:
- Looking after pets while their owner is at work or away for a few hours: £10 to £15 per hour
- Dog walking: £10 per hour (extra charges if there is more than one dog)
- Looking after an animal overnight: rate could start at £25
Dog sitters can often increase their earnings by offering additional services such as looking after other pets in the home, watering plants, taking in the post or house sitting.
Overnight dog sitting: How much do sitters charge for overnight dog sitting?
Dog sitters who stay overnight will usually charge approximately £50-60. These rates will vary depending on the duties required (dog sitting, house sitting and related duties) and whether the dog sitter should be with the dog the whole day.
What is the going rate for house-sitting with pets in the UK?
House sitters usually charge £60 to £75 for a full, 24-hour (overnight) assignment. The price will vary depending on the size of the home, the type of pets, and the duration of the assignment.
Do I tip my dog sitter?
Some dog sitters work for a company and earn a salary. Others are self-employed and paid per house visit, so tipping is up to you. While tipping a dog sitter will be appreciated, it is not expected or required, so don't feel obliged to. Some owners tip a dog sitter if their pet requires extra care while away, such as taking medicine or being taken to the vet or groomer.
If your dog sitter has done a great job but you don't wish to tip them, tell them what a great job they did and recommend them to your dog owner friends.
Do I pay for my dog sitter's travel costs?
It would be best if you discussed this directly with the dog sitter. Some dog sitters might have travel costs included in their prices, while others won't. If the pet owner drops their dog at the pet sitter's home, no travelling cost will be involved. However, additional costs may be incurred on top of their standard rates if the pet sitter has to travel to your home.Â
Should I leave the dog sitter money?
If a dog sitter is staying at your home for an extended time, for example, because you're on holiday, they may need some money to cover expenses that arise. Your dog, for instance, might need some extra supplies, so it will be easier to ensure your dog sitter has the necessary funds. They might need to buy more food, poo bags, or toys. With this in mind, it's a good idea to stock up on these essentials before you leave to minimise what your dog sitter has to buy while you're away. However, you can leave a small amount of money for your dog sitter or, if you're uncomfortable with that, ask her to cover the costs and add it to your final bill when you return.
For many owners, a professional dog sitter is the best solution when they cannot be at home for whatever reason. They don't have to worry about leaving their canine companion home while they're on holiday or busy at work. During their visits, a dog sitter can make sure pets are fed, watered, exercised, toileted, and, of course, given plenty of cuddles and playtime. They can also look after your other pets and even keep an eye on your home while you're not there, leaving you free to focus on your time away.
