How Much Do Dog Sitters Charge? We Explain the Rates

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

You might prefer to bring your pup on every trip you take—and they might wish they could join you, too—but there will be times when they have to stay behind.

Leaving your dog with a sitter can help make sure they get plenty of one-on-one attention and playtime, often in the comfort of their own home!

For many pups, dog sitting makes a better, less stressful alternative to boarding in a kennel. However, like any other type of pet care, dog sitting will add some costs to your travel budget.

Read on to learn more about the average dog sitting rates in various situations and different cities across the U.S., based on national data from real pet sitters on Rover.

Dog Sitting Costs by Services

Dog sitting can include a range of services. The three main ways a sitter can look after your pup include:

• Drop-ins: Your sitter will stop by your house to refill food and water, let your dog out for potty breaks, and give them some attention and playtime.

• Sitter boarding: Your dog will stay at your sitter’s house while you’re gone. They may stay alone or with other dogs.
• In-house sitting: The dog sitter will stay overnight in your house while you’re gone. Depending on your arrangement, they may take care of other house-sitting chores.

The exact rate for these services will vary by your area’s cost of living, but this chart shows the average sitting rates compiled from sitters across the country.

Service	Rate per day	Rate per week	Rate per month
Drop-in visits	$21.80 (per visit)	$152.60	$654
House sitting in your home	$55.45	$388.15	$1,663.50
Dog boarding in the sitter’s home	$49.01	$343.07	$1,470.30

Note: These prices are accurate as of September 2025, as pulled from Rover’s data.

Hourly vs. flat rates

Most professional pet sitters charge flat rates per visit or per night instead of charging by the hour.

This is because hourly rates can quickly add up, especially for overnight stays or dogs who need more extensive care, like medications or daily grooming. That said, some sitters may charge hourly for brief tasks, like drop-ins or dog walking.

Before booking, it never hurts to ask your sitter if they have an hourly rate, especially if you think your dog will only need brief care, or your sitting situation isn’t straightforward.

To tip or not

You don’t always need to tip a dog sitter, especially if they’re self-employed and set their own rates. That said, tipping is always a kind gesture and a great way to show your sitter that you appreciate their hard work caring for your pup and making them feel comfortable!

If you choose to tip, anywhere from 10%-20% of the total cost is appropriate for short stays. For longer or more complex stays, you might give a flat tip between $20-$100. You could also get creative and tip with gift cards, small souvenirs, or other gifts, depending on your sitter’s preferences!

Factors that Influence Rates

A sitter’s background and area of expertise will affect the rates they charge. Your dog’s needs will also influence the rate. So will the time of year and the amount of notice your sitter has for the job can also play a role in the rate.

Some common factors that affect dog sitting rates include:

• Experience: Sitters with a long history of pet sitting have more demand and can charge higher rates than those just starting out.
• Certification: Some sitters may go the extra mile with certifications, like the Fear Free certification for pet sitters, which trains a sitter to keep a dog’s stress levels low.
• Special needs: Sitters may charge higher rates when taking care of dogs who need medications, have mobility issues, or require extra supervision.
• Multiple dogs: Every extra dog will increase your sitter’s rate.
• Puppies: Puppies need more frequent bathroom breaks, more supervision, and may not be fully obedience trained, all of which can require more time and attention from a sitter.
• House maintenance: If your sitter will be staying in your home, you’ll typically need to pay more if you ask them to handle other household chores, like getting the mail or taking out the trash.
• Location: The cost of living in your area plays a big role, as does driving to remote houses for drop-in visits.
• Holidays: During the holiday season, when traveling spikes, a sitter might charge extra due to the greater demand for their services.
• Last-minute requests: Some sitters charge a rush fee for clients who book close to the sitting dates.

Before booking, ask your sitter what their base rate includes, along with any additional charges for your situation—the holiday season, extra dogs, or special needs pups. Remember that add-on fees can vary, depending on the type of dog sitting you choose.

Professional vs. hobby sitters

Of course, professional pet sitters aren’t your only option for dog care. You can always ask a trusted friend, neighbor, or relative to drop in while you’re away and visit your dog or let your dog stay at their place.

These arrangements can work wonderfully if your dog doesn’t need extensive care, especially since they’ll stay with someone they already know instead of a stranger.

That said, if your dog has medical needs, is reactive, or otherwise needs more extensive care, a professional sitter might give you more peace of mind when you’re out of town.

Average Dog Sitting Rates in Rover’s Top 25 Cities

Wondering how your city’s cost of living will affect what you pay?

This chart shows the average dog sitting rates for 25 of Rover’s top cities below, compiled from recent sitter data in each location.

Cities	Drop-in visit (30 minutes)	House sitting	Dog boarding
New York, NY	$25.36	$65.96	$63.58
Los Angeles, CA	$26.49	$73.94	$62.58
Chicago, IL	$22.46	$57.33	$51.83
Houston, TX	$21.10	$50.72	$41.51
Phoenix, AZ	$21.84	$52.17	$42.92
San Antonio, TX	$19.61	$44.13	$35.92
Philadelphia, PA	$21.70	$59.29	$52.55
San Diego, CA	$23.85	$63.83	$57.14
Fort Worth, TX	$20.94	$46.89	$38.85
Jacksonville, FL	$19.94	$47.68	$38.95
Austin, TX	$21.60	$46.86	$55.49
Columbus, OH	$19.58	$47.84	$41.59
Indianapolis, IN	$19.61	$46.16	$40.04
San Francisco, CA	$29.76	$80.72	$73.60
Seattle, WA	$26.15	$69.28	$64.00
Oklahoma City, OK	$19.83	$43.32	$35.00
Nashville, TN	$21.28	$57.35	$51.76
Washington, DC	$22.57	$58.41	$53.64
Las Vegas, NV	$22.04	$52.16	$41.39
Boston, MA	$23.14	$64.26	$61.70
Detroit, MI	$22.61	$54.80	$44.82
Louisville, KY	$20.00	$46.90	$39.35
Portland, OR	$22.51	$56.23	$51.15
Memphis, TN	$20.48	$47.14	$39.92
Albuquerque, NM	$21.42	$47.94	$39.75

Note: These prices are accurate as of September 2025, as pulled from Rover’s data.

Tips for Hiring a Dog Sitter

The best sitter for your dog isn’t always the one with the lowest rates. Good sitters will help your dog feel safe and comfortable throughout their stay—and leave you feeling like your dog is in good hands.

It’s always a good idea to have a public meet and greet with your prospective sitter to check the vibes and let them meet your dog. When vetting a sitter, these question ideas can get you started off on the right paw:

• How much time do you spend with each dog per day or per visit?
• How many dogs do you care for at once?
• What experience do you have with special needs dogs or giving medication?
• What will you do in the event of an emergency? Do you have pet first aid training?
• Do you have any certifications, like a Fear Free certificate or pet first aid training?
• How do you discipline dogs? Do you use positive reinforcement training?
• How often do you provide updates? Will you send me pictures or videos?
• Do you allow pets on furniture, like couches and beds?

Rover makes it easy to find experienced, local dog sitters and walkers who can meet your pup’s exacting standards. They can give you regular photo updates, so you know your dog is safe and happy. Plus, every sitter goes through an internal background check, with reviews from past clients easy to see.

Find a sitter for your dog today!