- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Having a pet sitter come and stay at your home can be an excellent care option for many dogs while you’re on vacation. House sitting gives pet parents peace of mind that their pups will be in their own environment where they feel safe and comfortable. Whether you choose house sitting, however, may depend on cost accessibility in your area.
According to recent Rover data on the cost of caring for a dog, guardians can expect to pay $40 per day for house sitting with a dog. This number, however, is just an average as house sitting prices vary depending on where you live, what your dog needs, and how long you want your sitter to stay at your home.
We’ll cover average dog sitting prices based on length of stay and location. We’ll also share insight on “hidden costs” and discuss which pups might benefit the most from having a sitter in your home.
What Does Dog Sitting in My Own Home Cost?
Hiring a house sitter to watch your dog means hiring someone to stay in your own home and supervise your pet while you’re away. They might also take on small household tasks like watering plants and bringing in the mail.
How much people charge for dog house sitting will depend on the length of their stay. The longer the visit, the greater the cost. On average, most sitters charge the following house sitting rates.
- $45-$75 per night
- $270-$450 per week
House Sitting Costs By City
The average cost of pet house sitting is $45-$75 per night. But where you live in the U.S. will impact house sitting prices. Since the cost of living tends to increase closer to big cities, the cost of house sitting services usually fluctuates in the same way.
| City | Cost per night |
| Oakland, California | $87 |
| Seattle, Washington | $80 |
| Scottsdale, Arizona | $73 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $68 |
| Portland, Oregon | $65 |
| Minneapolis, Minnesota | $63 |
| Colorado Springs, Colorado | $59 |
| Columbus, Ohio | $56 |
| Virginia Beach, Virginia | $53 |
Not surprisingly, our research found the highest cost for pet house sitting in cities with higher rent. For example, Oakland, California, had the highest cost of house sitting at $87 per night. Our data also showed that the top 10 cities with the highest house sitting rates were located on the West Coast. There were just two outliers: Scottsdale, Arizona, and Austin, Texas—two very dog-friendly cities that have seen high growth in the past few years.
In smaller cities like Columbus, Ohio, and Virginia Beach, Virginia, rates range from $53-$56 per overnight stay. Costs get even smaller when you look at rural areas, where you can score a house sitter for $25-$30 a night.
What Raises the Cost of House Sitting?
How much you pay a house sitter will also depend on your individual pup. Here’s a look at a few factors that typically increase dog house sitting costs:
Puppies: +$5–$10
Puppies are adorable, but they’re a lot of work, especially in the first six months. Your sitter will be dealing with things like teething, potty training, and constant management to keep them out of harm’s way.
If hiring a house sitter to come to your home to watch your puppy, expect an additional $5-$10 per night.
Senior dogs and dogs with medical needs: +$5–$10
If you have a senior or a pet with medical issues, you’ll need a sitter who has experience caring for these types of dogs. Your sitter should be comfortable and knowledgeable in specialized care, such as giving daily pills, managing a strict diet, or finding creative ways for your dog to exercise.
With this individualized care, house sitters will likely charge an additional $5-$10 per night.
High-needs dogs: +$30-$100
We love our reactive, anxious, and high-needs dogs, but sometimes it’s hard to find someone who knows how to handle their quirks. House sitters who are well-versed in behavior will likely charge accordingly.
Dogs with separation anxiety often require around-the-clock care, since it’s too stressful for them to be alone. Reactive dogs can also benefit from constant care, which helps maintain their schedule and put them at ease. If you have a high-energy breed that requires additional care, your house sitter may charge extra for additional services like nature hikes or transporting your pup to doggy daycare or dog training services.
When paying for 24-hour dog care or additional services for your reactive or high-energy dog, expect to pay anywhere between an extra $30-$100 per night.
Multiple dogs: +$5–$10
Most house sitters calculate their overnight rates for just one animal and will charge more for an additional dog, cat, or other pet. This additional cost covers the extra responsibilities of feeding, exercising, and caring for multiple pets.
Expect to pay an additional $5 to $10 a night for each additional dog or pet.
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Holidays: +$10–$25
House sitting during the holidays costs more and need to be booked in advance, since there’s usually an increase in demand. Plus, the sitter is choosing to spend time with your dog instead of taking a vacation or spending time at home with their own family. Travel in larger cities may also be more congested with lots of traffic, making it more difficult to get to your home.
During the holidays, anticipate rates to increase up to $10 to $25 per night.
Should you factor tips into your budget?
Some house sitters go above and beyond to take care of both your pet and your home, sending constant updates and doing small tasks like watering your plants or collecting your mail. If you’d like to show your appreciation, you can add 10-20% to the total cost of your booking.
And don’t forget about the tip! If you feel your dog received exceptional care or you would like to express your appreciation, you can add a 10-20% tip to the boarding fee.
Is House Sitting Right for My Dog?
Having a sitter come to your home is more expensive than other boarding options, like having your pup stay at doggy daycare or boarding them at a kennel. But it also comes with more specialized care than you’d have at these places.
Ultimately, whether or not you think house sitting is worth it will depend on your budget and your dog’s individual needs.
A dog sitter at your home might be a good fit for you if you have a:
- Puppy or high-energy dog that requires constant attention, exercise, and management
- Dog with separation anxiety who needs 24-hour care
- Reactive dog who isn’t comfortable being around other dogs (or humans) in traditional boarding facilities
- Senior or dog with medical issues who needs specialized care, like giving medication
- Un-spayed or un-neutered dog, as most day care and kennels won’t accept dogs who aren’t fixed
Conversely, house sitting might not be beneficial if you have a:
- Limited budget for dog boarding
- Friendly dog who does well being around other people and dogs
- Dog who needs extra-specialized health care at a vet clinic
Alternatives to dog sitting
If having a sitter come to your home isn’t a reasonable option for your personal situation (or budget), that’s okay! There are other options you can choose from, including:
- Boarding at a kennel. At an average cost of $25–$55 per night, traditional kennels are often the most affordable option. They won’t come with a lot of frills or individualized attention, but your dog will get plenty of food, water, and exercise. They often also have opportunities to interact with other dogs.
- Boarding at a sitter’s home. This type of overnight boarding is typically quite affordable and will still give your dog individualized care. Just note that your sitter may also be watching other dogs or have their own pups at their home. Costs usually range from $25 to $45 per night.
- Staying with friends or family. Friends and family are often a cheaper (sometimes free!) option. They do, however, come with fewer safeguards. For example, professionals will often have pet business insurance that can help pay for any broken items, whereas friends and family don’t.
- Drop-in visits. Booking drop-in visits is a great alternative if you only need a sitter for a day. However, it’s likely not going to provide sufficient care if you’re leaving your dog alone for several days. You can usually expect to pay $30-$50 per hour for drop-in visits.
